According to the included letter this pistol was one of the original run of Colt "Rail Gun" Government Model pistols produced to United States Marine Corps specifications as the M45A1 Close Quarters Battle Pistol. Intended as a replacement for the Corps' aging stock of 1911/1911A1 pistols, the M45A1 was destined expressly for units like Force Recon, Marine Special Operations Command (home of the Marine Raiders), and Special Operations Capable Marine Expeditionary Units. 1,000 of these pistols (470 used and 530 unissued) were traded by the Marine Corps under warranty back to Colt in exchange for newer Ionbond finished replacements, Colt in turn released these original Marine Corps pistols to the public with the caveat that the "USMC" marking be struck out. A set of 3-dot Trijicon night sights are installed on the "COLT***USMC" (the "USMC" marking has been struck with a large "X") marked slide, with U.S. nomenclature on the right. A 4-slot Picatinny rail is integrated into the dust cover, with a long solid trigger, skeleton hammer, beavertail safety with "speed bump", ambidextrous thumb safety, serrated flat mainspring housing, "desert camo" G10 composite grips, Wilson Combat magazine, and a Colt National Match barrel.

Very fine with 90% original desert tan cerakote finish remaining, areas of edge wear, and numerous scattered scratches and dings overall. The grips are excellent with light handling marks, Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to purchase a genuine U.S. Marine Corps semi-automatic pistol, and what is almost certain to be the last Colt 1911 adopted by the United States Armed Forces. Provenance: The Corner Stone Collection.