Colt 45 - The Firearms Forum

wng-2 · 08-10-2012, 05:14 PM

My Dad gave me this Colt .45 I’d like to know the age and value of this weapon. Thanks very much.

Alpo · 08-10-2012, 06:25 PM

That appears to be a Colt New Service in 45 ACP. If that's the serial number, it was made in 1920. But I thought, on the old Colts, the number was stamped on the front of the grip frame.

Jim K · 08-10-2012, 07:44 PM

Check the bottom of the grip. That is most likely a Model 1917. I don't know where or how Wilson got mixed up on the Model 1917 but Colt New Service serial numbers ran from about 149,000 to about 305,000. That one is 279xxx and mine is 236xxx, both of which Wilson puts after the war.

The Model 1917 has two numbers. Inside the crane is the Colt serial number in the New Service series. On the butt is the Army serial number which started with 1 under the contract and ran to about 154xxx. Some folks who brought those guns home after the war, thus violating the law (Harry Truman was one), removed the US and Army serial number, leaving the Colt number.

The finish appears good and original. If the butt marking is present and intact, I would make a WAG on value at about $900-1000.

Jim

wng-2 · 08-11-2012, 10:55 AM

Thanks!

wng-2 · 08-12-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

That appears to be a Colt New Service in 45 ACP. If that's the serial number, it was made in 1920. But I thought, on the old Colts, the number was stamped on the front of the grip frame.

So This weapon will fire .45 ACP vs. .45 Colt?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim K

Check the bottom of the grip. That is most likely a Model 1917. I don't know where or how Wilson got mixed up on the Model 1917 but Colt New Service serial numbers ran from about 149,000 to about 305,000. That one is 279xxx and mine is 236xxx, both of which Wilson puts after the war.

The Model 1917 has two numbers. Inside the crane is the Colt serial number in the New Service series. On the butt is the Army serial number which started with 1 under the contract and ran to about 154xxx. Some folks who brought those guns home after the war, thus violating the law (Harry Truman was one), removed the US and Army serial number, leaving the Colt number.

The finish appears good and original. If the butt marking is present and intact, I would make a WAG on value at about $900-1000.

Jim

Thanks!

Alpo · 08-12-2012, 01:39 PM

Absolutely. It uses 45 ACP using either full moon, half moon or third moon clips.

Made in November 1918, according to the military number.

You can also use 45 Auto Rim, which is basically a 45 ACP case made with a rim on it. But 45 Colt is too long for the cylinder, and even if it would fit, the headspace would be too big. It would not fire.

Jim K · 08-12-2012, 08:15 PM

I made an error in what I said above when I wrote that "Colt New Service serial numbers ran from about 149,000 to about 305,000".

That is for the Model 1917 only. The Colt New Service was made into 1940 in a couple of variations, and the last serial number was probably 356524.

Jim

Jim K · 08-12-2012, 08:23 PM

Some history on those guns. In WWI, the U.S. Army issued a far larger number of pistols in proportion to the number of troops than they do today, and there were not enough of the Model 1911 automatic pistol to go around. So the Army contracted to Colt and Smith & Wesson to produce revolvers which could fire the same ammunition as the Model 1911. This was accomplished by S&W designing a three-round clip, which allowed the rimless pistol cartridge to be fired in and extracted from revolvers.

The two pistols are very similar in general appearance (though not in detail) and purpose, so the Army called both the Colt and the S&W guns the Revolver, Model 1917.

You have the Colt version.

Jim

bamajvc · 08-12-2012, 09:06 PM

how much would the smith version be worth?

wonderwhippet · 08-13-2012, 02:12 PM

The Smith is worth about the same. Condition is the deciding value factor, not the manufacturer.

wng-2 · 02-26-2013, 11:59 AM

My friend has a Smith & Wesson, Army serial # 106473, he'd like to know when that one was manufactured. Thanks!

Alpo · 02-26-2013, 01:16 PM

Smith 1917 revolver, Military model, serial 106473, was made in 1918.

wng-2 · 02-26-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

Smith 1917 revolver, Military model, serial 106473, was made in 1918.

Thanks very much!

08-10-2012, 05:14 PM	#1
wng-2 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 66	Colt 45 My Dad gave me this Colt .45 I’d like to know the age and value of this weapon. Thanks very much. __________________ Rich, Berwick, Maine -->

08-10-2012, 06:25 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: Colt 45 That appears to be a Colt New Service in 45 ACP. If that's the serial number, it was made in 1920. But I thought, on the old Colts, the number was stamped on the front of the grip frame. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-10-2012, 07:44 PM	#3
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Colt 45 Check the bottom of the grip. That is most likely a Model 1917. I don't know where or how Wilson got mixed up on the Model 1917 but Colt New Service serial numbers ran from about 149,000 to about 305,000. That one is 279xxx and mine is 236xxx, both of which Wilson puts after the war. The Model 1917 has two numbers. Inside the crane is the Colt serial number in the New Service series. On the butt is the Army serial number which started with 1 under the contract and ran to about 154xxx. Some folks who brought those guns home after the war, thus violating the law (Harry Truman was one), removed the US and Army serial number, leaving the Colt number. The finish appears good and original. If the butt marking is present and intact, I would make a WAG on value at about $900-1000. Jim

08-11-2012, 10:55 AM	#4
wng-2 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 66	Re: Colt 45 Thanks! __________________ Rich, Berwick, Maine

08-12-2012, 01:39 PM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: Colt 45 Absolutely. It uses 45 ACP using either full moon, half moon or third moon clips. Made in November 1918, according to the military number. You can also use 45 Auto Rim, which is basically a 45 ACP case made with a rim on it. But 45 Colt is too long for the cylinder, and even if it would fit, the headspace would be too big. It would not fire. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-12-2012, 08:15 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Colt 45 I made an error in what I said above when I wrote that "Colt New Service serial numbers ran from about 149,000 to about 305,000". That is for the Model 1917 only. The Colt New Service was made into 1940 in a couple of variations, and the last serial number was probably 356524. Jim

08-12-2012, 08:23 PM	#8
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Colt 45 Some history on those guns. In WWI, the U.S. Army issued a far larger number of pistols in proportion to the number of troops than they do today, and there were not enough of the Model 1911 automatic pistol to go around. So the Army contracted to Colt and Smith & Wesson to produce revolvers which could fire the same ammunition as the Model 1911. This was accomplished by S&W designing a three-round clip, which allowed the rimless pistol cartridge to be fired in and extracted from revolvers. The two pistols are very similar in general appearance (though not in detail) and purpose, so the Army called both the Colt and the S&W guns the Revolver, Model 1917. You have the Colt version. Jim

08-12-2012, 09:06 PM	#9
bamajvc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 71	Re: Colt 45 how much would the smith version be worth?

08-13-2012, 02:12 PM	#10
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,583	Re: Colt 45 The Smith is worth about the same. Condition is the deciding value factor, not the manufacturer.

02-26-2013, 11:59 AM	#11
wng-2 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 66	Re: Colt 45 My friend has a Smith & Wesson, Army serial # 106473, he'd like to know when that one was manufactured. Thanks! __________________ Rich, Berwick, Maine

02-26-2013, 01:16 PM	#12
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: Colt 45 Smith 1917 revolver, Military model, serial 106473, was made in 1918. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.