According to the included factory letter (signed by the President and CEO of Colt Manufacturing), this pistol was one of the original run of Colt "Rail Gun" Government Model pistols produced to United States Marine Corps specifications as the M45A1 Close Quarters Battle Pistol. Intended as a replacement for the Corps' aging stock of 1911/1911A1 pistols, the M45A1 was destined expressly for units like Force Recon, Marine Special Operations Command (home of the Marine Raiders), and Special Operations Capable Marine Expeditionary Units. A select number of the pistols were returned to Colt for commercial sale, with the caveat that the "USMC" marking be struck out. A set of 3-dot Trijicon night sights are installed on the "COLT***USMC" marked slide, with "VP" and "L" on the left side of the trigger guard and the U.S. nomenclature on the right, including the military-specific "M1070CQBP" model number. A 4-groove Picatinny rail is integrated into the dust cover, with a long solid trigger, skeleton hammer, beavertail safety with "speed bump", ambidextrous thumb safety, serrated flat mainspring housing , "desert camo" G10 composite grips, Wilson Combat magazine, dual recoil springs and a Colt National Match barrel.

Fine with 70% of the original finish, showing a number of superficial scuffs and rubs through the cerakote exposing bright steel, along with bright edge wear, especially up by the muzzle and behind the ejector port. The grips are very good, with a few light dings and "19" applied to the right panel in worn white paint. The slide catch is a bit stiff, otherwise mechanically excellent.