This is a very fine pre-war Colt Government Model (1911 type) semi-automatic pistol manufactured in early 1917. These early commercial pistols had a beautiful high polish blued finish with all hand fitted parts. The left side of the slide has Colt two-line Hartford address and patent dates (April 1897 to August 1913) followed by the Rampant Horse Colt logo, and the right side has the early markings of: "COLT" AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45". The right side of the frame is roll-marked: "GOVERNMENT MODEL" over serial number "C78446". It has all the same features of the WWI military model 1911 pistols, such as: checkered thick thumb safety, checkered slide stop release and smooth main spring housing with the lanyard loop. It features the wide spur hammer with the full checkering on the spur with the longer trigger with the smooth face. It has walnut grips with the full checkering on both sides. This pistol is complete with one unmarked half-blued magazine

Excellent with 95% of the blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear with thinning and brown patina on the front grip strap and rear mainspring housing with blue loss on the front edges of the slide and lower recoil spring housing. There is a typical semi-circular mark on left side of frame due to takedown lever. The grips are in very fine condition with nice distinct checkering on both sides with some handling marks on the larger diamonds around the grip screws. Mechanically excellent.