Devel Corporation Custom Series ’70 MKIV Colt 1911 SUPER RARE Hard Chrome Government Model .45 ACP

Sold For: $14,425.00

LSB#: 170415MH01

Make: Colt Frame, customized by Devel Corporation

Model: Custom 1911-A1

Serial Number: 29964B70

Year of Manufacture: Pistol Manufactured 1979, we don’t know when it was customized

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Semi-Automatic Detachable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S MK IV / SERIES ’70 / GOVERNMENT MODEL / .45 AUTOMATIC CALIBER” and with a Rampant Colt logo, the right is marked “COLT’S GOVERNMENT MODEL”. The right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”, with the serial number. The barrel is marked “COLT .45 AUTO / MK IV SERIES 70”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramp with red paint, the rear sight is an adjustable Kensight mounted in a milled slot in the slide and set into a dovetail. The slide had to be relived to fit this sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece grips are smooth with Devel Monogram logos set into the sides. There is no sign of chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Hard Chrome

Finish Originality: Orginal as customized and refinished By Devel Corp

Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharply defined. There is no erosion in the bores. There is some stubborn fouling in the lands against the grooves.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95+% of its metal finish. The pistol does not have signs use (this pistol was built for competition after all). There are lightly polished scuff marks to the leading edges of pistol, most are in the high traffic areas of the ambi safety, and slide. There is a mark under the slide release form disassembly. We have ran over the gun a few times wiping it down, old gunpowder residue keeps coming up, to prevent damage we did not completely strip the pistol. A detailed stripping and cleaning is necessary and recommended for long term storage. The hard Chrome finish is extremely durable. The screw head slots are strait, only slight indication of being turned. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. We did not fire this pistol.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This gun was brought to us by the widow of the previous owner. This is how the gun was received. Included is the hard travel case with foam inserts cut for 5 magazines (only 4 are included with the auction as photo’d) there is opened and used oil and solvent Hoppe’s #9 and a small box of patches. There are two nylon bore brushes and cleaning rod with plastic push currently installed. There are a few vintage targets tucked under the foam. The foam is starting to deteriorate but still overall good condition.

Our Assessment: Charles Kelsey has been described by the NRA American Rifleman as “arguably the greatest visionary of the Second Generation pistolsmiths.” We agree that this pistol is special. The fit and finish is amazing and done with only the highest degree of quality and attention to detail. The only way to get your hand on one of these is to hope Grandpa was a world class shooter and left it to you, a BB gun copy of the compensated gamma pistols, or to be in Wayne Novaks will. He is the single largest collector of these custom 1911 pistols, which never never seem to make it to public auction. When asked what this gun is going to go for, we answer that it is anyone’s guess, this is the first we could find selling at publicly. I guess it is time to set the market price.

Devel Corporation Custom Series '70 MKIV Colt 1911 SUPER RARE Hard Chrome Government Model .45 ACP
Devel Corporation Custom Series ’70 MKIV Colt 1911
SUPER RARE Hard Chrome Government Model .45 ACP