Colt Delta Elite First Edition Series 80 10mm 1911, Blued, 5-inch, 1987 Production
This Colt Delta Elite First Edition is a limited-production, Series 80, full-size 1911 chambered in 10mm Auto. Introduced as the first 10mm pistol from a major U.S. manufacturer, this 1987 example features factory First Edition gold script, gold-filled Delta Elite markings, and gold Colt medallion insets on the slide. Its polished blue flats with matte rounded surfaces and smooth hardwood grips with Colt medallions highlight an early, desirable configuration associated with DE-prefix first-generation production.
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.
Rifling: Excellent - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The pistol shows minimal marks from prior handling and use. The bore is bright and clean. See photos for a closer look.
What's Included
- 1x 8-round steel single-stack 1911 magazine (shown)
Factory First Edition details set this Delta Elite apart: the right side of the slide carries the First Edition gold script, while the left side features gold-filled DELTA ELITE triangle and COLT 10mm AUTO markings. Gold Colt medallion insets on the slide flats complement the polished blue flats and matte rounded surfaces for a distinctive presentation.
This Series 80 configuration integrates a firing-pin safety and retains classic 1911 controls, including a single-side manual thumb safety and a grip safety. It uses a solid trigger and a spur hammer, with fixed iron sights consisting of a ramped front blade with a white dot and a fixed rear notch.
Built on a full-size steel 1911 platform, the pistol pairs a 5-inch barrel with a 8+1 capacity in 10mm Auto. The barrel hood is marked '-CAL. 10 MM AUTO-,' affirming the chambering. Smooth hardwood grip panels with Colt medallions round out the period-correct features.
Produced in 1987 in the United States, this example aligns with the DE-prefix serial format associated with first-generation blued Delta Elite production. As Colt's landmark 10mm entry, the model occupies a notable place in late-1980s semi-auto development and remains an important piece for 10mm and Colt 1911 enthusiasts.