This U.S. Army contract Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol was shipped to Springfield Armory on April 10, 1912. This pistol has the factory commercial quality bright high polish used on U.S. contract M1911 pistols until serial number 2400. The trigger, safety lock, safety lock tube, hammer, magazine catch lock and grip screws have the fiery niter blue finish found only on very early production U.S. contract M1911 pistols. The barrel is blued with a 'brushed' blue finish on the top of the chamber. The pistol retains the Type I magazine catch lock with concave head and no screwdriver slot used until serial number 3189. The early style recoil plug lacks the punched lip added about serial number 6500. The pistol has the early round profile rear sight, first style safety lock and shallow grip screws. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped with the first style serial number making "No.2125" using serif numerals. The left side of the frame has the small "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking ahead of the slide stop hole and the "WPG" final inspection monogram above the magazine release button. The top of the frame has a serif "H" provisional inspection mark stamped in front of the disconnector hole and an "R" assembler's mark stamped to the right of the hole. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY" in one line. The opposite side of the slide is roll-stamped with the 1897-1911 patent dates in two unequal lines followed by the two-line Hartford address. The circled Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the left side of the slide behind the grip serrations. A serif "H" provisional inspection mark is stamped horizontally on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop and on the end of the barrel extension. The pistol has a later Type 3 two-tone lanyard loop magazine. The pistol is complete with a very early production Model 1912 swivel holster marked "RIA/1911" on the back of the swivel. The holster flap is embossed with "US" in an oval and the holster is complete with the original tie-down strap with buckle. Very few of the early production U.S. contract Model 1911 pistols with the Colt commercial quality "oil finish" and niter blue parts survived in original, unaltered condition and fewer still retain more than trace amounts of the original finish.

Exceptionally fine. This early production pistol is all original with the exception of the magazine and possibly the slide stop. The pistol retains 85% of the bright original high polish oil finish on the slide and frame. The lower edges of the frame show moderate holster wear and the blue on the face of the grip is thin with scattered handling marks. The lower edges of the mainspring housing and bottom of the grip safety show moderate handling wear. The slide has holster wear along the top right side and holster wear on the edges and high points. The markings on the slide and frame are crisp. The trigger, safety lock, safety lock tube and magazine catch lock have 90% of the fire blue finish. The hammer has scuff marks on the top and sides and retains 80% of the fire blue finish. The grip screws have 30% of the fire blue finish. The slide stop lacks the niter blue finish of the other small components and is a period replacement. The grips are in very good overall condition with significant handling wear at the bottom edge of the right grip and light handling wear on the bottom of the left grip. The checkering on both grips remains sharp. The Model 1912 holster is very fine and retrains the original medium russet colors. The leather surfaces are smooth with stitching is tight. The embossed "US" on the flap is strong and the "RIA/1911" markings on the holster swivel are crisp. The tie-down strap is in excellent condition. This is an outstanding example of an early 1912 production U.S. Army contract Model 1911 pistol with 1911 production holster. These early pistols are nearly impossible to find in unaltered condition with high amounts of original finish. This outstanding pistol would be the centerpiece of any advanced collection of M1911 pistols.