I believe the USFA model intro'd in 2009 to "exact" 1st Gen Colt specs--to answer criticisms they didn't have one that was "100%" early 1st gen--was the "Old Armory Original." The ones USFA actually called "Pre Wars" all had the large cylinder, and later (post blackpowder), wider U sight channel, and I believe most had the smokeless retention spring/latch, though I think you could order the BP front screw. The USFA Pre Wars also also had the squared off triggerguard Colt reverted to after 1920 or so (after two decades or so of the "rounded" variety)...So, the combination of all these features suggested not only Pre WWII but a relatively short period. Since the cylinder "blackpowder" bevel was eliminated or diminished on Colts toward end of production prior to WWII in the '30s, if one wants to be persnickety, because the Pre War like all of the USFA single action line, sported the bevel, the USFA Pre Wars most closely emulated 1920 (or so) to 1930 (or so), larger cylinder notwithstanding.
Edit: I think the idea of the USFA Pre War was the selection of a combination of features that represented what many would think the "best" of the 1st Gens. Namely, smokeless era with "improved" sighting (wider U rear, wider front) and the spring latch (but still with the cylinder bevel). And that happened to be Pre WWII as distinguished from the "blackpowder era" guns--with their narrower sights and end screw--made prior to 1900 (or more specfically pre 1896 if you consider the new spring latch feature introduced then).
Edit: I think the idea of the USFA Pre War was the selection of a combination of features that represented what many would think the "best" of the 1st Gens. Namely, smokeless era with "improved" sighting (wider U rear, wider front) and the spring latch (but still with the cylinder bevel). And that happened to be Pre WWII as distinguished from the "blackpowder era" guns--with their narrower sights and end screw--made prior to 1900 (or more specfically pre 1896 if you consider the new spring latch feature introduced then).