This highly desirable early production U.S. Colt Model 1911 Automatic Pistol was manufactured on January 25, 1912 during the first full month of production. The pistol has the lustrous high polish, commercial blue, finish with niter blue safety lock, slide stop, hammer, trigger, main spring cap and barrel bushing. The high polish finish was replaced by the "dull finish" blue at serial number 2400 on April 24, 1912. This pistol is one of the very first guns to have the small "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking on the left side of the frame; the large property marking found on the very early U.S. Army contract Model 1911 pistols was eliminated on January 12, 1912 at serial number 104. The pistol is fitted with checkered walnut stocks and has two of the original thin stock screws used on early production guns. The pistol has the original short hammer and rear sight with rounds top along with the early recoil spring plug with no punch marks, the old style recoil spring guide and first pattern slide stop with fine checkering. The original, Type I, magazine catch lock with concave head has been replaced by a later Type III lock with screwdriver slot. At least one of the stock screws is the original early style with thin head used until serial number 3000. The barrel has a dull blue finish and has no visible markings on the chamber lip, chamber or sides of the lugs. The barrel, rear face of the slide and the top of the receiver are not stamped with the "H" provisional inspection mark of Frank L. Hosmer that was applied to Colt Model 1911 pistols; this pistol was probably manufactured before the provisional inspection marks were adopted. The top of the frame is stamped with a "3" Colt assembler's mark to the right of the disconnector hole. The pistol is fitted with a pre-WWI, two-tone, magazine with lanyard loop floor plate. The serial number, "No.191" is stamped on the left side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard. The opposite side of the frame is roll-stamped with the small, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking and the "WPG" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield is stamped above the magazine release. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY" in a single line. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped: "PATENTED APR.20.1907/SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911." in two lines followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A." in a two line block. The slide is not marked with the encircled Rampant Colt trademark that is usually stamped behind the left grip serration on pistols in this serial number range. It does not appear that the Rampant Colt trademark was ever stamped on this pistol.

Very fine. The pistol retains approximately 75% plus of the original high polish blue finish. The finish on the slide has dulled from handling and has the typical holster wear on the muzzle and high points. There is some scattered light pitting on either side of the front sight and along the left side of the slide. The frame has most of the high polish blue on the sides with holster wear on the front edge and handling wear on the grip strap and bottom of the trigger guard. The grip safety and main spring housing have a silver-gray patina. The trigger, hammer, safety lock and other small components retains 90% of the fiery, niter blue finish. The magazine catch is a later replacement. The barrel chamber has about 80% of the dull blue finish. The stocks are also in very fine condition with sharp checkering and only light handling wear. The magazine is in fine condition with about 85% of the original two-tone finish. All of the markings on the slide and frame are very crisp. This is an outstanding example of a very early production U.S. Army Model 1911 Pistol with the very desirable and scarce commercial blue finish and most of the original components. It would be a stand-out piece in any Colt Model 1911 collection, and usually is absent.