Colt Government Model .45 ACP Pre-Series 70 (1968) — 5-inch Blued 1911, Commercial C-suffix Range
This 1968 Colt Government Model is a late postwar pre–Series 70 commercial 1911 in .45 ACP with hallmark features of the era. It falls in the commercial C-suffix serial range and retains the classic 5-inch barrel, GI-type fixed sights, and blued carbon-steel construction. Collectors will note the correct slide legends, short trigger, and 1911A1-style frame details that define this transitional period before the Series 70 rollout.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair - showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: Heavy pitting, scratches, and finish loss are evident across the frame, slide, and barrel. The bore was observed as clean and shiny at the time of inspection.
What’s Included
- 1x 8-round single-stack .45 ACP magazine (with witness holes; "45ACP" stamped on the lower front face of the magazine body; floorplate with an unmarked extended bumper pad)
This pre–Series 70 Government Model displays the period-correct configuration: rear-only vertical cocking serrations, a non-lowered ejection port, and standard left-side controls. The frame shows 1911A1-style finger relief cuts behind the trigger and an arched, vertically serrated mainspring housing, paired with a long, checkered spur hammer and short trigger.
The 5-inch barrel is marked on the hood "COLT .45 AUTO," and the slide carries the proper 1960s commercial legends: left side "GOVERNMENT MODEL COLT AUTOMATIC CALIBER .45" with Rampant Colt, and the right side with the Colt Hartford address. The sights are GI-type with a small staked front blade and a small square-notch rear.
Construction is blued carbon steel with the mixed polished and matte finish typical of the era. Grips are checkered brown synthetic panels with molded Rampant Colt roundels (no separate metal medallions), and the pistol uses a single-stack detachable box magazine.
As a late postwar commercial example from 1968, this pistol falls in the C-suffix serial range associated with pre–Series 70 Government Models. It uses the classic 1911 single-action, locked-breech, tilting-barrel system with grip safety and thumb safety, and it is listed with an 8+1 capacity.