1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help - The Firearms Forum

medic77777 · 09-24-2010, 12:03 AM

Hello, I am new here and I am loving this forum site. Lots of helpful information.

Question:
I recently acquired what is believed to be a 1943 colt 45 based on the serial number. My grandfather has 3 of these and gave me one of them as I have recently started collecting guns. He says they are worth a few hundred bucks a piece. I'm curious on a better estimate on price if that is possible.

Ive been doing a lot of research but I keep finding stuff on reproductions. However I strongly feel these aren't reproductions. He said he brought these back from Vietnam.

Any insight on these guns and ways to prove they are real would be greatly appreciated. I attached a few photos and hope the sizes are not too big. I have more pictures but it seems as if I am only allowed to post 4 at a time.

Thanks again for any help!

johnlives4christ · 09-24-2010, 12:12 AM

probably 1200.00 ish

TheGunClinger · 09-24-2010, 05:48 AM

Could be wrong, but my info says that the frame is a 1943 Ithaca.
Was shipped to Naval Supply Depot in a gropu of 5000 to Oakland Calif. on Mar.27,1944.

Shooter45 · 09-24-2010, 08:18 AM

Ithica frame and Colt slide.

medic77777 · 09-24-2010, 09:05 AM

So does that bring down the price of the gun, not having the same frame and slide? Also, what are we looking at to determine it is an Ithica frame? Is it the light stampings on the frame and the strong stamped serial number? Thanks in advance.

Also I have a link here that shows Ithica did not have and guns wearing this serial number, It shows this number as being a Colt. I have a link that breaks down these serial numbers. I respect your opinions as I know VERY little about guns, but this conflicts with the serial number link I have listed below.

http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm

medic77777 · 09-24-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medic77777

So does that bring down the price of the gun, not having the same frame and slide? Also, what are we looking at to determine it is an Ithica frame? Is it the light stampings on the frame and the strong stamped serial number? Thanks in advance.

Also I have a link here that shows Ithica did not have and guns wearing this serial number, It shows this number as being a Colt. I have a link that breaks down these serial numbers. I respect your opinions as I know VERY little about guns, but this conflicts with the serial number link I have listed below.

http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm

Nevermind, after further review I see that is shows as being a 1943 Ithica. listed as number 39 on the link posted above. Does this depreciate the value to any degree?

Shooter45 · 09-24-2010, 09:31 AM

7) Colt: S/N 108,601 to 290,000 = Feb. 8, 1915 to May, 1918
(S/N 109,501 to 110,000 Navy Model, S/N 223,953 to 223,991 Navy Model,
S/N 232,001 to 233,600 Navy Model)
(S/N 151,187 to 151,986 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 185,801 to 186,201 U.S.M.C. Model,
S/N 209,587 to 210,386 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 215,387 to 217,386 U.S.M.C. Model)

Is this what you are looking at ?? These numbers are for an m1911. Your title states "colt 45 m1911a1" The serial #'s for Ithica gun Company ranges from 1208674 to 1279673 in 1943. Colt #'s from 801001 to 958100.

This does decrease the collector value but depending on the collector. You still have a piece of history even with the mismatched frame and slide.

medic77777 · 09-24-2010, 10:14 AM

Yes I had it titled as a Colt because of what the slider says. After reviewing your post, it is indeed an Ithica frame. Do you think I could get a decent modern day 1911 for shooting purposes from the value of this gun? Thank you kindly for your knowledge.

P.S. Should I shoot it?

3/2 STA SS · 09-24-2010, 10:17 AM

Looks like the one I had in the Marines in the 80's. They were so shot out the barrels had minimal rifiling left in em.

Jim K · 09-24-2010, 10:33 AM

You don't have to check the serial number to tell that is an Ithaca frame. The machining, plus the markings, tell us that. The grips are Colt grips.

By Vietnam, almost all of the M1911A1s in inventory had been rebuilt at least once, and this is probably one of those.

I would say the value is around $800, where a rebuild that kept all Colt parts would be around $1000; a matching Colt in that condition that had not been rebuilt or refinished would be $1700 or more.

Jim

Shooter45 · 09-24-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medic77777

Yes I had it titled as a Colt because of what the slider says. After reviewing your post, it is indeed an Ithica frame. Do you think I could get a decent modern day 1911 for shooting purposes from the value of this gun? Thank you kindly for your knowledge.

P.S. Should I shoot it?

Shoot it all you want.

You should be able to buy a new 1911 but as to what brand, depends on the price you get. I'm sure there is a market for your pistol, maybe in the $700 - $800 range and could sell for even higher. Test the market . Maybe even a trade.

On the other hand, the pistol has to have some sentimental value. These pistols can be worked to become very accurate.

medic77777 · 09-24-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooter45

Shoot it all you want.

You should be able to buy a new 1911 but as to what brand, depends on the price you get. I'm sure there is a market for your pistol, maybe in the $700 - $800 range and could sell for even higher. Test the market . Maybe even a trade.

On the other hand, the pistol has to have some sentimental value. These pistols can be worked to become very accurate.

Point taking as far as the sentimental value. Probably hold on to it and find other means of acquiring a more modern one for target and personal carrying. Thanks for all your help.

rrddff · 07-23-2011, 01:02 PM

I have what I have researched to be a 1943 1911. The serial number says it was made by Union Switch & Signal. My problem is I would like to restore this gun, have lots of original parts for it bought from various sources, including slides, barrels, etc. A previous owner had the gun chrome or nickle plated. I want it back to as it was manufactured. Am I looking at some big bucks to get the frame, trigger and hammer back to original? The slide was plated too but I have two original US&S slides, as new.

Thanks for any help anyone comes up with.

Dick Field

Double D · 07-23-2011, 01:23 PM

Yea, im sorry to hear the previous owner plated the gun. The union switch guns can be worth from 1500.00 in 60% cond to 5500.00 in 100% condition. It will not hold those values in its current cond. They tend to go down in value the more they are tampered with. But as far as your frame goes, I have never attempted to change one so I cant help ya there. Good luck.

09-24-2010, 12:03 AM	#1
medic77777 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5	1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help Hello, I am new here and I am loving this forum site. Lots of helpful information. Question: I recently acquired what is believed to be a 1943 colt 45 based on the serial number. My grandfather has 3 of these and gave me one of them as I have recently started collecting guns. He says they are worth a few hundred bucks a piece. I'm curious on a better estimate on price if that is possible. Ive been doing a lot of research but I keep finding stuff on reproductions. However I strongly feel these aren't reproductions. He said he brought these back from Vietnam. Any insight on these guns and ways to prove they are real would be greatly appreciated. I attached a few photos and hope the sizes are not too big. I have more pictures but it seems as if I am only allowed to post 4 at a time. Thanks again for any help! Attached Images --> Last edited by medic77777; 09-24-2010 at 12:04 AM.. Reason: additional information added in text

09-24-2010, 12:12 AM	#2
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help probably 1200.00 ish

09-24-2010, 05:48 AM	#3
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,386	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help Could be wrong, but my info says that the frame is a 1943 Ithaca. Was shipped to Naval Supply Depot in a gropu of 5000 to Oakland Calif. on Mar.27,1944. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year. Last edited by TheGunClinger; 09-24-2010 at 05:57 AM..

09-24-2010, 08:18 AM	#4
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,753	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help Ithica frame and Colt slide.

09-24-2010, 09:05 AM	#5
medic77777 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help So does that bring down the price of the gun, not having the same frame and slide? Also, what are we looking at to determine it is an Ithica frame? Is it the light stampings on the frame and the strong stamped serial number? Thanks in advance. Also I have a link here that shows Ithica did not have and guns wearing this serial number, It shows this number as being a Colt. I have a link that breaks down these serial numbers. I respect your opinions as I know VERY little about guns, but this conflicts with the serial number link I have listed below. http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm Last edited by medic77777; 09-24-2010 at 09:10 AM.. Reason: added link for debate.

09-24-2010, 09:31 AM	#7
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,753	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help 7) Colt: S/N 108,601 to 290,000 = Feb. 8, 1915 to May, 1918 (S/N 109,501 to 110,000 Navy Model, S/N 223,953 to 223,991 Navy Model, S/N 232,001 to 233,600 Navy Model) (S/N 151,187 to 151,986 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 185,801 to 186,201 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 209,587 to 210,386 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 215,387 to 217,386 U.S.M.C. Model) Is this what you are looking at ?? These numbers are for an m1911. Your title states "colt 45 m1911a1" The serial #'s for Ithica gun Company ranges from 1208674 to 1279673 in 1943. Colt #'s from 801001 to 958100. This does decrease the collector value but depending on the collector. You still have a piece of history even with the mismatched frame and slide.

09-24-2010, 10:14 AM	#8
medic77777 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help Yes I had it titled as a Colt because of what the slider says. After reviewing your post, it is indeed an Ithica frame. Do you think I could get a decent modern day 1911 for shooting purposes from the value of this gun? Thank you kindly for your knowledge. P.S. Should I shoot it?

09-24-2010, 10:17 AM	#9
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,437	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help Looks like the one I had in the Marines in the 80's. They were so shot out the barrels had minimal rifiling left in em.

09-24-2010, 10:33 AM	#10
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help You don't have to check the serial number to tell that is an Ithaca frame. The machining, plus the markings, tell us that. The grips are Colt grips. By Vietnam, almost all of the M1911A1s in inventory had been rebuilt at least once, and this is probably one of those. I would say the value is around $800, where a rebuild that kept all Colt parts would be around $1000; a matching Colt in that condition that had not been rebuilt or refinished would be $1700 or more. Jim

07-23-2011, 01:02 PM	#13
rrddff Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 2	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help I have what I have researched to be a 1943 1911. The serial number says it was made by Union Switch & Signal. My problem is I would like to restore this gun, have lots of original parts for it bought from various sources, including slides, barrels, etc. A previous owner had the gun chrome or nickle plated. I want it back to as it was manufactured. Am I looking at some big bucks to get the frame, trigger and hammer back to original? The slide was plated too but I have two original US&S slides, as new. Thanks for any help anyone comes up with. Dick Field

07-23-2011, 01:23 PM	#14
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,085	Re: 1943 colt 45 m1911a1 help Yea, im sorry to hear the previous owner plated the gun. The union switch guns can be worth from 1500.00 in 60% cond to 5500.00 in 100% condition. It will not hold those values in its current cond. They tend to go down in value the more they are tampered with. But as far as your frame goes, I have never attempted to change one so I cant help ya there. Good luck. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.