1921 transitional Colt Govt. Model

1921 Colt Government Model s/n C127532

Original and unaltered. High polish Colt commercial oven blue finish. After WWI, several changes were made in the production of the Colt Government Model pistols. Many of these changes were due to shortcomings that surfaced on military M1911 pistols during World War I. Colt began re-engineering some parts as early as 1918. Most of the changes were implemented by 1923. The first military pistols purchased after WWI were the 10,000 pistols in 1924, commonly called Transitions by collectors, which incorporated many of the new features and characteristics that had been gradually implemented on commercial Government Models since 1919.

This commercial pistol features several new features and characteristics. Most noticeably, the slide markings are different. The stocks are the 13-row double diamond stocks used on some 1918-1919 Colt military pistols and many commercial pistols during and immediately following the war. The barrel slightly longer than previous barrels, and the bore dimensions also differ slightly. The front sight is the uniform .058 width sight first used on military pistols in 1924. The "A1-style" slide stop, with the flat surface under the thumb pad was introduced in late 1920, according to Mr. Clawson's Government Models book. The front end of the receiver on this pistol is the new slightly lengthened version. This pistol is one of the last pistols with a non-numbered slide and old non-Italic (Block) style serial number. The assembler mark on this pistol is in the new location, on the right side of the trigger guard. The tolerances are tighter on the slide/receiver rail fit on this pistol than previous production pistols, resulting in better accuracy.

Additionally, the markings on the bottom of the barrel are interesting. The same "K" that was used on the 1924 military M1911A1 pistols is present, as is a tiny "P" mark. The "K" has been observed on commercial Government Model pistols manufactured in the 1920s.

Overall, this is a very interesting commercial Colt pistol and incorporates many new design features of the days immediately following WWI that were later implemented in military production pistols beginning in 1924.

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Very interesting Colt. I did not know when they began to transition the commercial models but if it were not for the flat MSH, early GS, and diamond checkered grips this one would appear to be produced in later years.

The oven blue finish, and later features mixed with earlier, make for a very beautiful Colt. Especially in this condition. What a jewel. We are very fortunate to have you and JP share your collection on this forum. 1911/1911A1s in this condition are rarely seen outside of private collections. They are like stepping back in a time machine.