Colt Government Model 1911 – 1912 Production, Restored by Turnbull in 2021 – SOLD

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An early Colt Government Model 1911 is always a sight to behold, and this 1912 example captures the elegance that set Colt’s commercial pistols apart in the years following the U.S. Military’s adoption of John Moses Browning’s legendary design.

In 1912, Colt’s commercial-production Government Models were serialized with a “C” prefix, distinguishing them from military-issued pistols while sharing the same rugged mechanical design. Where the government contract pistols were built for battlefield service, these commercial variants were finished to a standard that spoke directly to civilians and law enforcement: a mirror-like high polish blue and brilliant nitre-blued small parts that gave the sidearm an unmistakable air of refinement.

This particular pistol, chambered in .45 ACP and built in that significant second year of production, has been fully restored by Turnbull Restoration in 2021. The slide and frame wear our period-correct high polish carbona charcoal blue, achieving the same depth and luster Colt originally produced over a century ago. The hammer, trigger, rear sight, pins, screws, and safety/slide stop parts all gleam with nitre blue, bringing back the subtle accents that collectors prize on early commercial Colts. Completing the classic presentation are hand-checkered, double-diamond walnut grips, just as they would have appeared in 1912.

For today’s collectors, an early Government Model represents both the artistry of Colt’s pre-war craftsmanship and the enduring genius of John Moses Browning’s design. This restored example not only preserves that heritage but showcases the very finishes and details that made these pistols so desirable from the start.

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