SOLD - Rare 1912 Colt Government Model 1911 - Three Digit

Description

10/28/25 - This is a very nice and super early Colt Government Model 1911 that was manufactured in 1912, one of the first ~550 ever produced. The pistol has the highly desirable high polish, almost mirror blue commercial finish with standard checkered walnut grips and the highly desirable, heat-blued trigger, slide stop, and safety lock. The right side of the slide is roll stamped "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBER 45" in two lines below the ejection port. The left side of the slide is roll stamped with the correct two-line, Colt patent dates followed by the Colt Hartford two-line address block. The circled Rampant Colt is roll stamped on the left side of the slide behind the slide serrations. This beautiful pistol is complete with a rare "keyhole" magazine.  The pistol features a later commercial barrel marked only with an 'N' under the lug.  The bluing on the pistol is all original with a nice profile, but there is some pitting and oxidation on either side, and the straps are worn.  Good bore with minor frost throughout. Gorgeous grips that contrast the nitre blue small parts nicely. One of the earliest 1911s we've offered for sale.  From the collection of Robert Reed Kelley, Col, MD.  

Colonel Kelley was the practicing physician to Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, and was later offered the rank of General but turned it down as he wished to be a practicing doctor rather than be stuck behind a desk.  Kelley was living in San Francisco at the time that he began to build a collection of Colts and Smith & Wessons, and would practice target shooting at a range nearby after work every day.  While there, he became friends with all of the guards from San Quentin and Alcatraz prison, along with the Army guys from Benicia Arsenal.  He became known for his interests in these firearms, and accrued a beautiful collection of rare and exceptional pieces through these friendships.