This is a very scarce, late 1913 production US Army Colt contract Model 1911 pistol. There were a total of 16,400 produced in this contract run and surviving examples are very scarce today. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with early first series of Colt 1911 Slide markings that consist of the two-line, two-block patent dates and Colt Hartford address that end in 1911, with the Rampant Horse Colt trademark behind the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY". The left side of the frame has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" stamped ahead of the trigger guard and the round, "GHS" inspector's monogram stamped above the magazine release. All of the frame and slide markings use Roman (serifed) characters. The serial number "No46483" is stamped on the right side of the frame behind the slide stop hole. The top of the frame has a "H 2" stamped in front of the disconnector hole. A "H" is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop. The barrel is late WWII replacement that is marked with a "HS" and "P" proofs on each side of the lug. The pistol has the correct early 1911 style thumb with the thin thumb piece, the wide spur Colt checkered hammer, the short horn grip safety with the early checkered main spring housing with the lanyard loop on the bottom. The pistol has a brush-blue war time finish on the slide and frame, blued barrel, checkered walnut grips and all blued WWII flat based magazine. Complete with one extra all blued magazine. A "US" embossed brown leather flap holster marked "PERKINS / CAMBELL / 1917 / R.J.M." and "ELMER A / SMITH" (hand marked) on the back side (name repeated on the inside) and an unmarked brown leather sword belt.

Very fine as modified with 75% of the original blued finish overall with wear on the edges and high spots overall with the majority of the finish loss on the front and rear grip strap. The grips are in fine condition with minor handling marks on both side with very good plus checkering just showing even honest light wear with no chips or damage. The only changes to the pistol; (all of which can be easily corrected) are the rear sight has been replaced with a fixed target version and the front sight blade has also been replaced with a squared target version and the trigger is a late commercial version. In the case of the sights they didn't disturb the bluing on the slide. The holster and belt are very good plus with some minor age cracking and minor handling marks, along with a few minor stains on the belt. All stitching is tight.