This is a nice example of a restored first year production Colt Army contract Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol shipped from Colt to Springfield Armory as part of a lot of 250 pistols on October 9, 1912. The pistol has a military blue finish with checkered oil-finished, walnut grips. The pistol is fitted with a Type III two-tone magazine with lanyard loop floor plate. The pistol has the early round top rear sight and short hammer. The safety lock has a thick thumb piece with machine cut underneath. The receiver has a Type III magazine catch lock. The right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number "No7613" behind the slide stop hole. The right side of the slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY" with Roman (serif) letters. The left side of the receiver is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" ahead of the trigger guard and stamped with the circled monogram of the Ordnance final inspector "WPG" above the magazine release. The left side of the slide is marked with the Colt 1897-1911 patent dates in a two-line block followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO./HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A.". The circled Rampant Colt is behind the slide serrations. A serif "H" provisional inspection mark is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop and on the top of the receiver in front of the disconnector hole. The number "6" is stamped to the right of the disconnector hole. The barrel has a military blue finish and is stamped with a vertical "H" on the upper lip of the chamber.

Professionally restored to near mint condition. The slide, receiver and barrel retain nearly all of the military style blue finish. All of the markings are sharp. The grips have been refinished and the checkering refreshed. First year production Army contract Model 1911 pistols saw hard service and are scarce in very good or better condition. This is an attractive example of a first year production Model 1911 pistol with the early pattern rear sight and hammer.