This is an extremely rare and highly desirable early production U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol. This is the latest pistol examined bearing the large size "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking on the left side of the frame (Meadows, p.129). Manufactured in late January 1912 during the first full month of production, it was shipped to the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory on Feb 3, 1912. The pistol has the lustrous high polish Colt commercial blue finish with niter blue safety lock, slide stop, hammer, trigger, mainspring cap and barrel bushing. The high polish finish was replaced by the military "dull finish" blue at approximately serial number 2,400 on April 24, 1912. The pistol is fitted with checkered walnut stocks and has two of the original thin stock screws used on early production guns. This beautiful pistol has the desirable, early two-line, two-block slide markings of "PATENTED APR.20.1897/SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911." followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A.", with the encircled Rampant Colt trademark behind the slide serration. The right side of the slide is stamped "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY". The left side of the frame is stamped with the large "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" as noted along with the encircled "WPG" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard, with the very early and highly desirable Type I, small serial number markings of "No.113". This pistol is all original and fitted with the various early features such as the short hammer with border less checkering to the edge, the round top rear sight and the narrow front sight with the smaller stud on the underside, the early first type recoil spring guide with the bevel on the front edge and the lower rear points, an early first pattern recoil spring plug with no punch marks, the first pattern slide stop with fine checkering and no dimple on the backside, the original Type I magazine catch lock with concave head and the early thin thumb safety lever with the sharper edges and undercut on the back and underside of the thumb piece. It still retains the original all blue barrel with 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 "correctly" NOT stamped with the "H" provisional inspection mark of Frank L. Hosmer, as that inspection stamp was not started until approximately pistol serial number "400". 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 an original and extremely Rare Type I magazine that has the all blued finish, with no temper line with the exposed edge of the magazine base with the lanyard loop on the underside of the plate. The sides of the magazine body actually show the double pins, with the small sideways stake mark on the head of the pin and magazine body. Later on in the type 2 magazines these pin heads were actually ground down flush with the magazine body and the base plate. This is an almost impossible magazine to find today! This wonderful early Colt Model 1911 is accompanied by an equally nice and also rare early 1912 drop down US marked leather holster. This is one of the early holsters that were issued in the early test to one of the Calvary units that also have exceptional markings of "HQ 2C 23" on the front and "2 CAV. H.Q. 48" on the backside, and includes the original leather leg tie-down strap.

Extremely fine with 85% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish overall. There is edge and high spot wear with the left side of the slide showing some minor spotting on the transition line and the front grip strap, mainspring housing and grip safety all showing a light silvery/brown patina. The grips are very fine with nice distinct, visible checkering on both sides showing minor/light wear across the tops of the checkering with only minor handling marks. The holster is fine with a nice medium color overall, not all oil soaked or anything with clear sharp unit markings. The stitching, seams and rivets are all intact and nice and tight. The drop down belt swivel is also in very fine condition and rotates correctly. Early production U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic pistols with the large "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking are the "Holy Grail" of Model 1911 collecting!