The accompanying factory letter states this pistol was part of a 100 gun shipment to Armeria La Proveedora Mexico, D.F., Mexico, on August 7, 1941. Between 1922 and 1941 Mexico procured 5,400 pistols, mostly by the Mexican government. It is believed that this pistol was commissioned by the Government of Mexico as a presentation piece for the Captain of the U.S. Pistol Team in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The pistol has a blue finish and is fully covered with exhibition quality relief engraving on a stippled background. The pistol features a gold-inlaid Rampant Colt on the right side of the slide and the gold-inlaid initials "MLC" on the grip strap. In addition to the deep chiseled relief scroll engraving and gold inlays, the pistol is relief-carved with: (1) the head and shoulders image of Francisco "Pancho" Villa wearing a sombrero and two cartridge bandoleers located on the top of the slide in front of the ejection port, (2) the Mexican Eagle and Rattlesnake national insignia on the top of the slide ahead of the rear sight, (3) a shooter firing a pistol from the hip at three silhouette targets on the right side of the slide, (4) the five-ring Olympic Games insignia on the underside of the frame in front of the trigger guard and (5) a crown and shield heraldic crest on the grip strap. The original "COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL/C208335" marking on the right side of the frame, "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE .45" on the right side of the slide and elongated Hartford address with 1897-1913 patent dates are in relief panels surrounded by scrollwork. The slide lock, slide safety, grip safety and magazine floor plate all are covered with scroll engraving. The pistol has the pre-war Schwartz Safety and is fitted with a WWII, "HS" barrel with polished chamber top. The full blued magazine is marked: "COLT/45 AUTO" on the floor plate. The pistol is fitted with smooth grips.

Exceptionally fine as Master engraved and embellished. The pistol retains 99% of the blue finish with only very minor handling marks. The flawlessly executed relief carvings and exhibition grade engraving are crisp and deep. The gold inlays are in perfect condition. The grips have aged but are in excellent condition. This magnificent and one-of-a-kind pistol is one of the most highly embellished Colt Government Model Pistols ever offered for sale by Rock Island Auction Company.