This is a rare example of an early first year production two-digit number Colt "Government Model" 1911 type pistol that was manufactured in 1912. These early Colt Government pistols in any condition are extremely difficult to obtain as they saw heavy commercial use by law enforcement agencies, as they were some of the best semi-automatic pistols ever produced by Colt. They had hand fitted parts with the beautiful and very distinctive early Colt high polish commercial blue finish overall with the fragile nitre blue on the trigger, rear of the extractor, thumb safety, hammer and slide stop, and fitted with a set of fine checkered walnut grips. This example has all the early features such as: early style Colt slide markings, narrow, rounded half-moon front sight, rounded rear sight with the small round sight cut, thin checkered thumb safety with the sharp edge, and milled undercuts, first pattern recoil spring guide, the early short checkered slide stop release, without the dimpled back side, the short horned grip safety, an early wide spur hammer with the fine borderless checking with a later third pattern magazine release button. The right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45", and the left side has the early two-line, two-block markings: "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 Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations. An "S" is stamped on the rear slide under the firing pin retention plate. The front left side of the frame is marked with the very desirable, early first style Colt serial number (C61) with serifs, and "GOVERNMENT MODEL" is on the right side of the frame. The left trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "VP/Triangle" proofmark, and a "R" is stamped on the lower left part of the trigger guard. An "R" and an "S" is stamped on the top rear frame around the disconnector hole. It is fitted with an early pattern all blued, Colt barrel that has the very early short milled area between the barrel lugs and assembly number "1" stamped on bottom ahead of the link pin lug. This early Colt Government Model comes with a later pattern, blued, half-tone unmarked Colt magazine, with the early double pinned baseplate with a lanyard loop on the base.

Fine with 50% of the original blue finish remaining overall with general light blue loss overall with the right side of the slide exhibiting a gray patina finish mixed with several small areas of fine pitting/erosion. 40% of the bright original nitre blue remains on the small parts. The markings are clear and distinct overall. The grips are in very good condition with nice distinct checkering on both sides showing light wear across the tops of the checkered diamonds. Fine, highly desirable two-digit number Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol Serial Number "C61".