3538

Colt Government Model Pistol with British and Canadian Military Proof Marks

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Colt Government Model Pistol with British and Canadian Military Proof Marks
This is a very nice example of mid 1916 Colt commercial Model 1911 pistol that was an early Government purchase of a commercial pistol or a private purchase which was later proofed with British and Canadian proof marks. The slide is a type 1 version with the left side of the slide having the standard two-line, two-block Colt patent/address markings with the Colt Rampant horse at the rear of the slide behind the serrations. The right side is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC /CALIBER .45" with a "Crown over BNP" proof directly behind the ejection port. The right side of the frame has the single Canadian Broad Arrow "C" proof and the right side of the frame is marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL" over the serial number C3196. The Right side of the frame also has the British Crown over BNP proofs with the crossed scepters over 4/B proof. The barrel is a correct early unmarked Colt blued version that is also marked with a "Crown over BNP" proof next to ".45 ".900/7 TONS PER". The pistol still retains the various early WWI Colt features such as the checkered slide stop, the early pattern checkered, thin thumb safety, the wide spur checkered hammer, and the short horn grip safety. The grip panels are the correct WWI era checkered walnut patterns with the large diamonds at the top and bottom of each grip panel. Currently it is complete with a single all blued WWII replacement magazine.
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: C31961
Condition: Arsenal refurbished with 95% of the WWI era British arsenal reblued/reblackened finish with some light wear on the edges and high spots overall with some light scratches on the front/muzzle end and sides of the slide, with a couple of light nicks on the front grip strap. The grips are in very good condition showing numerous minor nicks and light chips in a few places on the tops of the checkering. A very nice example of a British/Canadian proof early commercial Model 1911 pistol.