OLD COLT: WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR OLD COLT GUNS.
This Colt M1911 is a very early production pistol that was part of the 3rd shipment of M1911 pistols that were produced by Colt. This particular pistol shipped on February 3rd, 1912 in a 200 gun shipment to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory.
These early production Colt's featured Colt's high polish blued finish and have an almost mirror like resemblance to them. The small parts are fire blued which make them very vibrant and colorful in the right lighting. Note the hand filed checkering on the slide stop and thumb safety. Eventually this flashy and pretty finish would be replaced by a more subdued and darker fine brushed blue finish.
This particular Colt is one of the first ones to use the smaller "United States Property" roll mark on the left side dust cover. #140 was inspected by Major Walter G. Penfield (WGP) just above the magazine release on the left hand side of the frame. Major Penfield was the inspector of ordnance from January 2nd, 1911 - September 30th, 1914.
