This is a rare prewar Colt Model 1911A1 National Match pistol as sold in 1940. These early National Match pistols were a basic bare-bones NM pistol in that the only real enhancements were that the slide and frame were hand fitted and then a special select NM barrel was hand-fitted to the slide and frame. All the internal/critical parts were also hand honed to provide a super smooth trigger pull with crisp break and a super smooth glass-like action. Although somewhat minimal in comparison to today's NM standard they were super accurate and super smooth. As noted the Colt factory letter with this pistol verifies it as a NM pistol and as a "1" gun shipment on January 11, 1940 to the Palm Beach Mercantile Company of West Palm Beach, Fla. Colt began production of the National Match Government Model .45 in 1932, with a very limited number actually produced before the outbreak of WWII. This beautiful pistol has the high polish commercial blue finish, blued barrel with polished chamber, full checkered walnut grips. It has the original matching numbered slide, that is marked, elongated, two line, Hartford address and 1897-1913 patent dates, with the right side marked in one line: "NATIONAL MATCH COLT" followed by "AUTOMATIC/CALIBER.45" in two lines, with the Rampant Colt trademark in front of the markings. It is fitted with the original Colt NM sights (1935 Stevens pattern) early adjustable rear sight with the fixed short ramp front sight with serrated face. The right side of the frame is marked, "GOVERNMENT MODEL/C197309" with a subinspector number "60" on the upper front edge of the trigger guard bow. The left side marked with a "P" above the Colt "VP/Triangle" proofmark. The slide is correctly stamped with the matching serial number under the firing pin stop and the frame is fitted with the desirable "Swartz Safety", which is actually a firing pin block safety. There is a capital "G" Colt provisional inspector stamp on top of the frame by the disconnector hole. It is fitted with a blued NM barrel with the correct polished feed ramp and chamber area. The left side of the barrel lug is stamped with the encircled letters "M.B." with "COLT 45 AUTO MATCH" directly above that on the barrel. It is complete with one fully blued magazine marked "COLT/45 AUTO" on the floor plate.