[RJay]

Unfortunately dealers can not be experts on every thing. Many times they don't even know that the item they are selling has been altered or does not have the original parts.They are not being dishonest, just ignorant of that specific item. But then again, some of them do know and are just hoping that no one else does. As with early Colt revolvers, it is very much "Buyer beware". You would have better luck with a later 1911, WWII or Korean era, there are a lot of arsenal ( depot rebuilt/repaired ) that have mixed parts ( all proper, just on the wrong gun ) for 5 to 800.