This U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol was part of a lot of 300 Model 1911 pistols shipped to the Springfield Armory on March 2, 1912. This pistol has the mirror-like blue commercial high polish finish on the slide, frame and major components. This finish was utilized on U.S. contract Model 1911 pistols until serial number 2401 when the Chief of Ordnance directed Colt to utilize the more durable low luster blue on March 18, 1912. The various smaller components such as the trigger, slide stop, safety lock, hammer and magazine catch lock all have the highly desirable fiery Colt niter blue finish used on Colt commercial handguns. This pistol is in original configuration with the distinctive early production features that include a round top rear sight, a narrow front sight, a first pattern dimpled magazine catch lock (which is extremely rare as approximately only the first 1,600 pistols were equipped with that configuration, with almost all being replaced with the 2nd Style), a Second Style hand checkered slide stop, a First Pattern safety lock with thin thumb-piece, a short hammer, an early unmarked Colt blue commercial barrel with a polished chamber area and no horizontal "H" provisional mark on the rear hood of the barrel, the First Style two tone lanyard loop magazine with exposed pinned base and the very rare First Pattern recoil spring plug without any inward punch mark to retain the recoil spring. This pattern was used only until June 1912. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the small "UNITED STATES PROPERTY". The "WGP" final inspection monogram of Ordnance Inspector Major Walter G. Penfield is stamped on the left side of the frame above the magazine release. The first format serial number "No.1257" is stamped on the right side of the receiver in front of the trigger guard in Roman style (serifs) numerals. "MODEL 1911. U.S. ARMY" is roll-stamped on the right side of the slide. It has the early style short 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 circled Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the serrations on the left side of the slide. A horizontal "H" provisional inspection mark is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop and on top of the frame in front of the disconnector hole. The grips are checkered oil finished walnut with diamond patterns surrounding the grip screws.

Very fine with 60% of the slightly faded original blue finish overall with light edge and high spot wear with blue loss on the front edges of the slide and front grip strap. The barrel is a later production replacement. The various other smaller components retain most of their fiery niter blue finish (grip screws are refinished replacements). The walnut grips are very fine with a nice dark brown color on both sides and some minor handling marks on the right side. Mechanically excellent. A desirable early production Colt U.S. Army contract Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol.