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***SOLD***
This is a First Year Issue 1911 Colt Government Model Commercial, with a four digit serial number C1623, manufactured in 1912.
The Colt Government Model was introduced in 1912 and was quite successful. When WWI ended there were many veterans who were comfortable with the big .45 Auto and N.R.A. sponsored shooting matches became quite popular. However, shooting bulls eye targets at fixed ranges demanded a level of accuracy that was often missing from the standard Government Model. Early 1911 gunsmiths like Pachmayr and Buchanan would fit better sights and barrels to improve performance. A survey of the Colt shipping records of the 1920's show many special order guns with tweaked trigger pulls, match barrels, and wider sights to improve functionality.
The Colt Fractory Letter included with this piece of history authenticates this 1912 Colt Government Model serial No.C1623 and that it was originally shipped from Colt in a shipment of (1) to W.F. Sheard of Tacoma Washington on January 22, 1913
On my limited research I found that W.F. Sheard was a gun dealer in Tacoma Washington, who patented and manufactured several different rifle sights. His sights were available on some of the Winchester 1894 rifles. In 1900 he was granted a patent for his gold-bead front sight, a professional shooter, trophy hunter, guide, outfitter, taxidermist and fur trader whose customers included the Vanderbilt's, Astor's, and Russian nobility. He was also something of a big-game hunter. He had a shop located in Livingston, Montana, 1882-1893, and Tacoma, Washington, from 1893.
From the information contained in the Colt Factory Letter this 1911 Colt Government Model Commercial 1st Year Issue could have been a personal gun used by W. F. Sheard or a Special Order gun that was customized by him for someone else??? The front sight looks like a Dovetail Sheard sight that could have been invented by William F. Sheard. The Lanyard loop mag did not originally come with it and was bought later. It still has original finish on the Slide and receiver and on some of the small parts it has its original high polished bright Fire blued (Cobalt Color) appearance as on the Colt Commercial #1 to #2400.
There's lots of research left to be done on this amazing piece of History that's looking for a good home that can appreciate its historical value and pass it on to future generations.
No Trades.
***SOLD***
FFL - buyer pays fees
This is a First Year Issue 1911 Colt Government Model Commercial, with a four digit serial number C1623, manufactured in 1912.
The Colt Government Model was introduced in 1912 and was quite successful. When WWI ended there were many veterans who were comfortable with the big .45 Auto and N.R.A. sponsored shooting matches became quite popular. However, shooting bulls eye targets at fixed ranges demanded a level of accuracy that was often missing from the standard Government Model. Early 1911 gunsmiths like Pachmayr and Buchanan would fit better sights and barrels to improve performance. A survey of the Colt shipping records of the 1920's show many special order guns with tweaked trigger pulls, match barrels, and wider sights to improve functionality.
The Colt Fractory Letter included with this piece of history authenticates this 1912 Colt Government Model serial No.C1623 and that it was originally shipped from Colt in a shipment of (1) to W.F. Sheard of Tacoma Washington on January 22, 1913
On my limited research I found that W.F. Sheard was a gun dealer in Tacoma Washington, who patented and manufactured several different rifle sights. His sights were available on some of the Winchester 1894 rifles. In 1900 he was granted a patent for his gold-bead front sight, a professional shooter, trophy hunter, guide, outfitter, taxidermist and fur trader whose customers included the Vanderbilt's, Astor's, and Russian nobility. He was also something of a big-game hunter. He had a shop located in Livingston, Montana, 1882-1893, and Tacoma, Washington, from 1893.
From the information contained in the Colt Factory Letter this 1911 Colt Government Model Commercial 1st Year Issue could have been a personal gun used by W. F. Sheard or a Special Order gun that was customized by him for someone else??? The front sight looks like a Dovetail Sheard sight that could have been invented by William F. Sheard. The Lanyard loop mag did not originally come with it and was bought later. It still has original finish on the Slide and receiver and on some of the small parts it has its original high polished bright Fire blued (Cobalt Color) appearance as on the Colt Commercial #1 to #2400.
There's lots of research left to be done on this amazing piece of History that's looking for a good home that can appreciate its historical value and pass it on to future generations.
No Trades.
***SOLD***
FFL - buyer pays fees
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