This is a fabulous example of an original Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol that was manufactured under contract for the country of Brazil. There were approximately 14,500 made in total under this contract in the 1937/38 time frame with very few ever seen in the United States. Eventually the country of Brazil adopted the Model 1911A1 as their standard pistol, and started producing them at the State/Military run IMBEL factory. These pistols conform in all respects to the standard military models manufactured during this time, except they lack the U.S. military proof and acceptance marks. The right side of the frame is marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL/C196230" with the left side trigger guard bow marked with the standard small "P" and Colt "VP" Verified Proof inside a small Triangle, with the right side of trigger bow marked number "77". The left side of the slide has an unusual Colt's three-line markings that consist of the Colt address and patent markings used from 1937-40, with an additional marking below that of "CAL .45 AUTOMATIC", obviously intended to alert the user that this was a nonstandard caliber. The right side of the slide has the single Brazilian country/military crest with the following in two lines "EXERCITO BRASILEIRO No5620/1937. The slide is correctly numbered (196/230) above and below the firing pin stop plate. The pistol has the standard checkered trigger, arched mainspring housing, thumb safety and slide stop and it is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips. The blue barrel has a polished chamber area and is marked on the left side "COLT 45 AUTO". It is complete with one half-tone blue magazine that is marked "COLT/45 AUTO" on the bottom of the base plate.

Excellent with 97% of the blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear, with the very front edge of the slide having some very minor, microscopic pin-prick pitting, where it was in contract with a holster. The grips are also in excellent condition with very nice distinct checkering on both sides, showing a hint of wear across the tops of the checkering. Mechanically excellent.