This is a very rare and certainly unique one of a kind late cased pre-war/post-war Colt Government Model pistol as possibly assembled throughout World War II into early 1946. This unique/rare pistol set is complete with an original matching numbered 22 cal Colt Service Model/Ace conversion kit with spare barrel and magazine all stored in an original Colt factory walnut display case. The serial number of this frame places the manufacture in late 1942, just when the Colt factory was starting to transition into their heaviest U.S. Army M1911A1 contracts. It is interesting to note that in Charles Clawson's book on Colt M1911A1 pistols he speculates pistols in this serial number range as being made into "cutaway" pistols, obviously that is not the case in this instance. (The actual item always trumps speculation!) The only Colt factory markings or proofs on the entire pistol and conversion kit is the serial number, "C215086". The top of the frame around the disconnector hole does have a single letter "G" that was a Colt factory/U.S. Government provisional inspector stamp, along with the matching serial number (215/086) above and below the firing pin hole, exactly as numbered on prewar and early WWII M1911A1 automatic pistols. Additionally, although being a very late pre-war manufactured frame it does not have the Schwartz safety so frequently found on early WWII frames. A very unique feature of this pistol is that on the underside of the frame extension there has been a factory made single dovetailed under lug installed identical in concept to what you see on many M1911A1 style frames today. This under-lug comes with a factory made/machined 4 1/4 inch long rail extension that slides onto the under-lug and is secured in place with a single locking lever on the right side. The underside of this rail extension has been milled out and was probably originally fitted with some type of barrel weight (not included) that was very popular at this time. The under-lug and accompanying rail were all professionally/factory made and both have an original Colt factory blue finish. As noted this very unique pistol is accompanied by an original late Colt factory 22 cal Service Model/Ace conversion kit with the floating chamber. The slide is also void of any Colt factory markings or proofs and is numbered on the underside of the right rail with the matching frame serial number (215086). The slide is fitted with the late pre-war style target front sight and "Stevens National Match" style adjustable rear sight. This conversion kit is complete with the correct magazine, extractor, spare recoil spring, guide assembly and slide stop pin. This entire lot is accompanied with three original Colt, 22 cal, spare barrels, a spare 22 cal magazine, a set of grips, (one plastic and one walnut) an original 1938 dated Colt factory advertising book, as well as the original Colt factory French fitted walnut display case. The blue finish on the actual pistol, accompanying 22 cal conversion kit and various accessories are all the early post-WWII, 1946/47 type Colt commercial blue finish with the matte finish on the top sections of both slides. It is certainly clear to us that this is an original Colt in-house assembled set, probably made from left over WWII contract and pre-war parts made for one of the senior Colt employees for his personal use.

Excellent. The pistol retains 95% of the original Colt factory blue finish with some edge wear, some minor thinning on the front grip strap, a couple of small spots of blue loss on both sides of the 22 cal conversion slide mixed with some very minor small spots of pin-prick pitting on the right side transition line. The spare 22 cal barrels showing signs of an old war brushed cleaning with some dark tarnished areas from poor storage. The grips are excellent, with a very small hairline age crack starting on the right side at the lower grip screw hole. The factory walnut display case is excellent with minor handling marks in some areas. The Colt advertisement/sale brochure is excellent. A very unusually and very unique pre-war/post-war combination Colt Government Model/Service Model Ace cased set.