Manufactured in 1914, very early in production of the commercial production Government Model, this pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm technology and was one of the early pistols that established a reputation for striking power and a lineage of dependability that has carried the model through more than a century in military and civilian hands alike. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as sale to the Canadian government and shipment to H.W. Brown on 14 November 1914 in a shipment of 1,000 guns. Though this pistol bears no government/military proofs, it is highly likely that it found its way into the hands of a Canadian officer early in World War I. The slide bears the two-line, two-block address and patent markings on the left with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. "VP" and "R" are on the trigger guard, and "GOVERNMENT MODEL" is on the right side of the frame. Import marked on butt. Fitted with blade and flat top notch rear sights, checkered wide hammer, checkered thumb safety and slide catch, the magazine catch, flat smooth mainspring housing, and the long smooth trigger. The blued barrel has a polished chamber and is unmarked. Fitted with a set of diamond pattern checkered grips and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base. Includes a brown leather holster that appears ready for attachment to a "Sam Brown" belt, as used by Canadian army officers during the First World War. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection

Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with small spots of surface oxidation on the front gripstrap and forward slide, scattered light handling marks and some light edge wear. The grips are excellent with a few scattered minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with some light handling wear.