This is an example of a 1914 production Colt Government Model pistol that was shipped to Canada in 1914. This specific pistol was part of a 1000 gun shipment sent to Quebec, Canada, that was subsequently engraved on the slide: "Major A. M. Ross. 1 st C.M.R." A short biography included with this pistol lists Andrew Ross as having been born in Manitoba in Oct 1880. He attended the University of Manitoba and served with the Strathcona Horse during the Boer War in approximately 1901. After the war, he attended law school and was called to the bar in 1905. He later served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1st C.M.R. "Fort Garry Horse" on the Imperial general Staff from 1914-1919. After WWI, he practiced law in Winnipeg and was made a "King's Counsel" in 1929. He died in 1943. Prior the U.S. entering WWI, Congress passed the Neutrality Act in 1914, so it is assumed that in 1914 Colt was shipping these 1911 pistols to Canada as commercial pistols to circumvent the law. These early Colt Government Models were some of the best pistols produced by Colt, as they have tight, butter smooth actions and trigger pulls. There are no British or Canadian proofs; however, as noted, it is accompanied by a Colt letter dated April 2012 validating this as being shipped to Canada. The slide has the standard two-line Colt address and patent markings ending in 1913 and the "Colt Rampant Horse" behind the slide serrations. The right side is marked with the noted inscription below the ejection port and "COLT AUTOMATIC CALIBRE. 45" in front of the inscription. The right side of the frame is marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL" over the "C" prefix serial number. The top of the barrel is marked only with a single "P" proof towards the front edge of the chamber. It has the early walnut diamond pattern checkered grips. The slide is fitted with its early style 1914 type front and rear sight, and it has the early features such as the flat mainspring housing, wide Colt hammer with borderless checkering, checkered slide stop release, early 1914 type checkered thumb safety, long smoother side trigger and short horned grip safety. It has an original half-tone lanyard loop magazine Comes with an original 1914 dated Mills web holster and belt. The Ordnance Department purchased only 75 of these holsters for field trials.

Very fine with 75% of the original blue finish overall showing minor high spot wear, thinning on the grip straps and some very minor spotting on top of the slide. The grips are also in very fine condition with nice sharp checkering on both sides, showing only a couple minor handling marks. The engraved inscription is crisp and has the same aged look as the rest of the pistol. The rare early Mills web holster and belt set are both in like new condition.