This pistol features the early high polish Colt finish which is found on only the first 2,400 Model 1911 pistols, before the Ordnance department pushed Colt to switch to a less reflective, more durable, "dull finish". The prefix of the serial number was the only departure from the Ordnance drawings, being "No." instead of "NO.", which was subsequently changed to "No" with the "o" underlined at approximately serial number 4501. The serial number is in front of the slide stop hole on the right of the frame as was standard on the first 7,500 pistols. The right side of the slide bears the "MODEL OF 1911. The trigger guard correctly lacks assembler's marks. Penfield is just behind the trigger guard on the right, parallel to the axis of the grip. The circled "WGP" monogram of inspector Major Walter G. The left side of the frame has the early 3/32 inch tall "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking which is found only on the first 104 pistols, before also being reduced in size to 1/16 inch, which was approved by the Ordnance Office on 26 December 1911.
At serial number 84 the letters in the address were reduced to 1/16 inch to match those of the patent dates. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent dates, ending in 1911, and the two-line Colt address with letters that are 5/64 inch tall, arranged in two-blocks with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. 45 Service Pistols: Models of 19A1" by Clawson.
This pistol, being within the first 83 Model 1911's produced, is marked in accordance with the Ordnance Department drawings which were dated 26 April 1911, which are shown on p.
In many ways, this pistol, being so early in production, can be seen as a trailblazer, a pioneer of a reputation of reliability, and a founding father of a legacy that is still alive and well to this day. These pistols were the pinnacle of military technology at the time, with military men and civilians alike, eager to get their hands on the powerful handgun. The first 50 of these pistols were shipped to Springfield Armory on 4 January 1912.
Before the end of the year, Colt had only completed 51 pistols, making a first year production Model 1911 incredibly scarce. This pistol was assembled in the first block of 40 Model 1911 pistols at the Colt plant on the first day of production, which was 28 December 1911. Manufactured in 1911, the first year of production, this is a very fine example of an exceptionally early production, single digit serial number, U.S.
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