This is a highly desirable early production U.S. military contract, Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic Pistol with the early slide markings, nitre blue finish, early parts with the rare and very desirable early small serial number markings. This early pistol was manufactured in the first part of 1912 probably in the first full month of production. It was shipped to the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory on Feb 3, 1912 in a shipment of 200 pistols. The pistol has the lustrous high polish Colt commercial blue finish with the niter blue finish on the safety lock, slide stop, hammer, trigger, mainspring cap and barrel bushing. The high polish finish was replaced by the military "dull finish" blue at approximately serial number 2,400 on April 24, 1912. The pistol is fitted with checkered walnut stocks. This fine pistol has the desirable, early two-line, two-block Colt factory address and patent dates 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 circled Rampant Colt trademark behind the slide serration. The right side of the slide is stamped with the early small stamped "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY". The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard is stamped with the very early and highly desirable, Type 1, small serial number markings of "No. 214", with the left side stamped with the early small size "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", with the circled "WPG" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. This pistol is all original and fitted with the various early features such as the short hammer with border-less checkering to the edge, the round top rear sight and the narrow front sight with the smaller stud on the underside, a first pattern recoil spring guide with the bevel on the front edge and the lower rear points, a third pattern recoil spring plug with the round nose profile, the first pattern slide stop with fine checkering and no dimple on the backside, the original Type 1 magazine catch lock with concave head and the early thin thumb safety lever with the sharper edges and undercut on the back and underside of the thumb piece. Both the early all blue barrel and rear face of the slide, as well as the top of the receiver are correctly NOT stamped with the "H" provisional inspection mark of Frank L. Hosmer, as that inspection stamp was not started until approximately pistol serial number "400". However the underside of the barrel has been non-factory etched with "RCPD/B9068" in front of the lugs. The top of the frame is stamped with a "5" Colt assembler's mark to the right of the disconnector hole. The pistol is fitted with a later production replacement type 2 Colt half tone magazine with the ground flush base plate pins and the lanyard loop on the underside of the base.

Very fine with 75% plus of the bright original factory high polish blued finish overall wear edge and high spot wear overall with a blue/gray patina finish on the front grip strap, main spring housing and grip safety. The grips are in very good condition overall with nice original distinct checkering on the sides showing light wear across the tops of the checkering with minor handling marks. The markings are clear and sharp. A desirable example of a very early 1912 production low three digit number U.S. Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol.