1912 Colt

This gun was shipped on November 27, 1912.

The “Government Model”

As soon as Colt got their military production squared away, they worked on releasing a commercial version of the Model 1911.  It was introduced as the “Colt Government Model Automatic Pistol” in March of 1912.  The name is confusing today, but at that time Colt wanted to reinforce the connection that it is the same gun as “what the government uses.” - source