This boxed Colt Government Model .45 automatic pistol was manufactured in 1927. The pistol has the original Colt commercial blue finish. The top of the barrel chamber is polished bright and the full-checkered walnut grips are oil finished. The pistol has an unmarked, two-tone, flat base magazine. The pistol displays the features incorporated by the Ordnance Department with the Model 1911A1 automatic pistol in 1923 and adopted by Colt in "New Style" Government Model production in 1924 that include: arched mainspring housing, extended grip safety, short trigger with checkered face, and finger clearance cuts on the sides of the receiver. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "GOVERNMENT MODEL/C151303" in two lines behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with a "W" assembler's mark above the Colt "Triangle/VP" proofmark. A "G" is stamped on the top of the receiver to the right of the disconnector hole. An "S" is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the lug. The slide is stamped with the serial number "151/303" above and below the firing pin hole beneath the firing pin stop. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE.45" followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the elongated, two-line, Hartford address and 1907-1913 patent dates. The pistol is complete with the original Colt factory box. The underside of the box has the serial number "151303" written in grease pencil. The end of the lid has a white paper label marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL." and the end of the box bottom has a blue and white label marked: "COLT AUTOMATIC PISTOL .45/Rimless Smokeless". A Colt English/Spanish promotional label is glued to the inside of the box lid and an English only label is glued to the box bottom. The box contains: a bore brush, "Proper Ammunition" leaflet, manual for "Colt Automatic Pistol Caliber .45 Government Model, and "Special Instructions" pamphlet. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Excellent. The pistol retains 98% of the original blue finish. Wear is limited to several very minor takedown marks below the slide stop. The grips and grip screws are in excellent plus condition. All of the markings are perfect. The magazine has 98% of the two-tone finish with "DIXON" lightly period scratched on the back. The box is in fine condition and the exterior has light edge wear with some tears on the end labels. The interior is in excellent condition. The pistol serial number is written on the inside of the instruction manual and the various documents included with the pistol are in excellent condition.