Colt Government Model Series 80 Gold Premier .38 Super – Lew Horton Exclusive, Factory-Engraved 5" 1911
This Colt Government Model Gold Premier is a factory-engraved, limited-run Series 80 pistol built for Lew Horton Distributing. Chambered in .38 Super and fitted with a full-size 5-inch stainless barrel, it pairs a brushed stainless frame with a high-polish charcoal-blue slide highlighted by 24-kt gold inlay and scroll engraving. The result is a presentation-grade 1911 that retains full firing capability and Series 80 safety features while offering collectible rarity.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Excellent – clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent – sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Light scratching and blemishing are present on the stainless frame and on the polished flats of the slide.
What’s Included
- Colt factory blue plastic hard case (serial-matched)
- Colt Series 80 safety and instruction manual
- One factory stainless 9-round magazine
Built in the early 2000s by the Colt Custom Shop, the Gold Premier series was offered only through Lew Horton and produced in limited numbers. Each pistol left the factory with vine and scroll engraving, a Colt dome and rampant pony vignette, and hand-applied 24-kt gold inlays that frame the slide markings.
The brushed stainless frame contrasts with the high-polish charcoal-blue slide, while gold-plated small parts add uniform visual detail. Black-pearl laminate grips with inset Colt medallions complete the presentation.
Under the embellishment, this is still a full-function 1911. The 5-inch stainless barrel, single-action trigger, and Series 80 firing-pin safety keep operation familiar to Government Model shooters. Chambering in .38 Super delivers flat, fast ballistics with a 9-round magazine capacity.
Factory pairing of the pistol with its serial-matched case and original Series 80 manual supports provenance. Limited production, Custom Shop workmanship, and the distinctive .38 Super chambering give this Gold Premier strong stand-alone appeal for both collectors and shooters.