This is a super early first year production Colt "Government Model" 1911 pistol manufactured in 1912. The factory letter confirms it shipped on September 6, 1912, in a shipment of four guns of this type to T.P. Davis Arms Company with a blue finish and 5 inch barrel chambered for .45 ACP. The grips were not listed, but they are standard. The letter also notes that the company may actually be the T. B. Davis Arms Company of Portland, Maine. They were arms wholesalers and distributors. These early Colt Government pistols in any condition are extremely difficult to obtain as they saw heavy use when first introduced. They were some of the best Colts ever produced given they had all hand fitted parts with a beautiful early Colt high polish commercial blue finish, niter blue small parts and fine checkered walnut grips. This example has all the early features such as: early style Colt slide markings, narrow rounded half-moon front sight, rounded rear sight with the small round sight cut, thin checkered thumb safety with the sharp edge, and milled undercuts and a early short checkered slide stop release. The right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45", and the left side has the early two-line, two-block 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 Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations. The front left side of the frame is marked with the very rare, early first style Colt serial number (C685) with serifs, and "GOVERNMENT MODEL" is on the right side of the frame. The left trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "VP/Triangle" proofmark, and a "K" is stamped on the lower left part of the trigger guard. It is fitted with its original Colt early production barrel that is stamped on the underside with only a "N" in front of the lug. This super early Colt is complete with an early type 2 "Punch and Saw Cut" half-blued magazine that has the early indent on the top right side feed lip. It still has the early double pinned baseplate with the lanyard loop on the underside. This is one of the earliest Colt Commercial Government Model pistols we have had the opportunity to offer for sale.