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. 1,000 of these pistols (470 used and 530 unissued) were traded by the Marine Corps under warranty back to Colt in exchange for newer Ionbond finished replacements, Colt in turn released these original Marine Corps pistols to the public 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, and a Colt National Match barrel with a finely polished and beveled throat. With original military issued shipping box.

Excellent. The pistol appears as issued (with the exception of the struck USMC marking) with perhaps light test firing with some visible light carbon, but no substantial handling or holster wear to speak of. The grips have some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Box is very good still with original tape. A rare opportunity to purchase a genuine U.S. Marine Corps semi-automatic pistol as was issued to both the Special Operations and Force Recon units, and what is almost certain to be the last Colt 1911 adopted by the United States Armed Forces.