Colt Model 1911A1 1911-A1 Series ’70, San Diego PD Special Edition Semi-Automatic Pistol & Oak Case
LSB#: 170415MH03
Make: Colt
Model: MK IV Series 70 1911A1 San Diego Police Department Special Edition
Serial Number: 70B12561
Year of Manufacture: 1982 (Colt Website)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is engraved with a banner that has detailed scroll engraving at each end and at the rear of the slide with the seal of San Diego. The center section of the banner is marked “San Diego Police Department / Special Edition”. The right side of the slide is engraved with a scene of a police car with two officers, and another scroll engraved banner with a shield in the center marked with “SDPOA” and with a figure of a man holding a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. The right rear of the slide is engraved with a San Diego Police Badge and the date 1981. All of the engravings are gold filled. The right side of the slide is also marked “COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL .45 CAL. HARTFORD, CT”. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and “70B12561”. The barrel is marked “-COLT .45 AUTO- / MK.IV /SERIES ‘70”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “B” at the front and “VP” in a triangle at the rear. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “5”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short serrated ramped blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are polished rosewood with brass Colt Custom medallions in each grip. This pistol was rarely handled, there are no notable marks to the stocks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The sides of the slide and frame have a bright blued finish with gold filling in the engraving on the slide. The top and underside of the slide and the underside of the frame, front strap and mainspring housing have a black matte finish. The mainspring housing is also serrated.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are no notable marks to the finish. There are some light scratches to the top of the barrel from normal operation. We don’t think this pistol was fired outside the factory, most of the marks are likely from checking the gun for clear and safe handling. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The pistol comes with a single blued magazine, a white Styrofoam box with a red and black faux wood colored cardboard sleeve, manual and an oak presentation case. The floorplate of the magazine is marked with a Rampant Colt logo, “COLT / 45 AUTO” and “M”. The magazine shows minimal wear and is in Excellent condition. The end label has lost its stick and fallen off, it is loose in the box. The label clearly describes this pistol as a Colt Custom Shop, model and serial number of this pistol. The box edges and lightly torn and tattered. The presentation case has a near full length brass hinge at the back and a lock at the front, with supplied key. The corners are joined with mitre joints and the bottom of the box is covered with brown felt. The inside of the box is lined with dark blue velvet and the bottom is fitted for this pistol. The inside of the bottom section also has a large rectangular brass plaque attached marked “San Diego Police Department / Special Edition”. There are no marks in the outside of the case and no marks on the inside that would indicate that it ever held a pistol. The case is in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. This is a Colt 1911A1 MK IV Series 70 pistol built by the Colt Custom Shop to commemorate the San Diego Police Department. The pistol is really beautiful with gold filled engraving on the sides of the slide and polished rosewood grips. This special commemorative is rarely seen on the open market and is a great find for the Colt collector and would make a nice gift for someone still serving.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This handgun CANNOT be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop.
