Manufactured in September 1912 (records show that Government Model serial number C1159 and C1196 were shipped from Colt on October 11, 1912 and October 2, 1912, respectively). The pistol has the high polish commercial blue finish with fire blue trigger, hammer, slide lock, safety lock and rear sight that was applied to Colt Government Model pistols until mid-1913 and is fitted with pearl grips. Early rounded low profile sights. The frame has the Type III magazine catch lock installed above serial number C380. The pistol has the correct short hammer with sharp rear edge first style military slide stop, safety lock with thin thumb piece and recoil plug with inward punched lip. The barrel is blue and the top of the chamber has a rough milled finish and appears to have been blue. A downward facing "C" is stamped on the rearmost chamber extension and on the back of the lug bracket. The pistol is fitted with the standard two-tone lanyard loop magazine adopted in mid-1913 at serial number C3500. The right side of the frame is marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL" and the serial number "C1191" is stamped on the left side of the frame. The top of the frame is stamped with "O" and "4" inspection marks in front of the disconnector hole and a "S" behind it. The right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBER 45" below the ejection port. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block 1897, 1902, 1905 and 1911 patent dates and address with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations.

Very fine as partially refinished (the slide). The balance of the pistol retains more than 90% of the commercial and fire blue finish and shows limited handling wear. The pistol was professionally enhanced and has scattered light pitting under the blue on the left side of the slide. There is some surface discoloration on the right side of the slide below the front sight and some very light pitting behind the ejection port. The overall appearance of the high polish blue finish on the frame and slide and the fire blue small parts remain very good. The grip screws are later thick replacements with a dull blue finish. The barrel chamber has most of the dull blue finish. Markings are crisp. The grips are very good with minor chips next to the upper grip screws. This is an attractive example of a scarce 100+ year old first year production Colt .45 Government Model Automatic pistol.