Manufactured in 1912 the first full year of production. The pistol has the lustrous high polish Colt commercial blue finish with the niter blue finish on the 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 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 serrations. The right side of the slide is stamped with the early small stamped "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY". The front left side of the frame is stamped with the early small size "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", with the encircled "WGP" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard, is stamped with the very early and highly desirable Type 1 small serial number markings of "No. 478". This pistol is all original and fitted with the various early features such as the short hammer with borderless checkering to the edge, the round top rear sight and the narrow front sight, 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 mark, the first pattern slide stop with fine checkering and no dimple on the backside, the original Type 1 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. The rear face of the slide and the top of the receiver are stamped with the "H" provisional inspection mark of Frank L. Hosmer. Includes a later production, replacement full blued magazine without a lanyard loop.

Very good with 30% of the original blue finish and fiery nitre blue small parts. The pistol shows areas of high point and edge wear, areas of spotting and mild pitting, normal cycling marks on the barrel and receiver, and handling marks and a smooth mostly brown patina in the grip area. The original nitre blue on all of the correct small parts remains 60% intact. The United States Property marking has been lightly defaced, but is still very legible. The grips are fair with a crack in the left panel at the lower screw, bruising and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.