RE: 1911 - The Firearms Forum

sub-moa · 09-19-2012, 01:56 AM

I had an older post regarding my dad’s Army issue Colt .45 and I finally figured out how to post a pic here on TFF. I know it’s not very good quality but still would like a rough value (just for my own information) wouldn’t consider selling it. I know it is all original just as it was handed to him in 1944. I shot it with him when my dad was alive, maybe 20 rounds and it shoots perfectly. I called Colt and gave them the serial # and they said it was mfd. in 1918, but that’s all they knew about it. Any information would be greatly appreciated

Ironvarmint · 09-19-2012, 06:49 AM

I don’t think your 1911 was manufacture in 1918. It looks like a 1911A1. Go to this web site and compare the earlier 1911 to the 1911A1 http://www.m1911.org/full_history.htm

oldmedik · 09-19-2012, 07:29 AM

the frame appears to be 1911, but the main spring housing, and grips are 1911a1. pistol maybe an arsonal rework.

sub-moa · 09-19-2012, 08:15 AM

Don't know. I see what you are talking about, the crescents. I just know according to Colt the serial # indicates a build date of 1918. How could this be?

Bindernut · 09-19-2012, 09:36 AM

That looks like an A1 pattern to me as well. Everything looks A1 except for the long trigger.

I'm not 100% up on my marking and the pics are a bit fuzzy to spot all of em, but the rampant pony is in the wrong location for an early 1911 too. It should be between the patent #s and address on a WWII era or earlier Colt slide.
The slide logo looks like a post-1955 commercial marking. (also used on "contract" slides but those were parkerized and not blued)

Does your camera have a macro setting that will allow you to take some clearer pics of the markings?
It's possible that it's an arsenal rebuild and it's a non-Colt frame with a serial number that happens to fall into the 1918 Colt production range.
If you can get some clearer pics of the markings we can help ID it.
It is in nice shape from what I can see.

sub-moa · 09-19-2012, 10:43 AM

See what I can do

Jim K · 09-19-2012, 02:29 PM

The slide is post-WWII Colt commercial, so it was not around in 1944. I can't determine from the picture if the frame is military or not.

Is there a letter or letters in, before, or after the serial number?

Jim

Bill DeShivs · 09-19-2012, 05:31 PM

Aftermarket 1911A1 frames were made by quite a few companies. Serial numbers duplicated Colt's numbers.
I have a friend with a gun shop who had a 1911A1 he was very proud of.
G.I. issue and he researched the SN. I hated to tell him the frame was aluminum.

Jim K · 09-19-2012, 05:54 PM

Some of those frames were made with markings so faint they could be removed easily and the frame marked to duplicate GI frames. That, plus a fake Singer slide and the smart boys can clean up.

Fortunately, most of the efforts along those lines are so crude that only a totally unknowledgeable person would be taken in.

Jim

09-19-2012, 01:56 AM	#1
sub-moa V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 395	RE: 1911 I had an older post regarding my dad’s Army issue Colt .45 and I finally figured out how to post a pic here on TFF. I know it’s not very good quality but still would like a rough value (just for my own information) wouldn’t consider selling it. I know it is all original just as it was handed to him in 1944. I shot it with him when my dad was alive, maybe 20 rounds and it shoots perfectly. I called Colt and gave them the serial # and they said it was mfd. in 1918, but that’s all they knew about it. Any information would be greatly appreciated Attached Images __________________ "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln -->

09-19-2012, 06:49 AM	#2
Ironvarmint Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Athens, Ohio Posts: 23	Re: 1911 I don’t think your 1911 was manufacture in 1918. It looks like a 1911A1. Go to this web site and compare the earlier 1911 to the 1911A1 http://www.m1911.org/full_history.htm

09-19-2012, 07:29 AM	#3
oldmedik Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: south west ga. Posts: 48	Re: 1911 the frame appears to be 1911, but the main spring housing, and grips are 1911a1. pistol maybe an arsonal rework.

09-19-2012, 08:15 AM	#4
sub-moa V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 395	Re: 1911 Don't know. I see what you are talking about, the crescents. I just know according to Colt the serial # indicates a build date of 1918. How could this be? __________________ "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln

09-19-2012, 09:36 AM	#5
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,450	Re: 1911 That looks like an A1 pattern to me as well. Everything looks A1 except for the long trigger. I'm not 100% up on my marking and the pics are a bit fuzzy to spot all of em, but the rampant pony is in the wrong location for an early 1911 too. It should be between the patent #s and address on a WWII era or earlier Colt slide. The slide logo looks like a post-1955 commercial marking. (also used on "contract" slides but those were parkerized and not blued) Does your camera have a macro setting that will allow you to take some clearer pics of the markings? It's possible that it's an arsenal rebuild and it's a non-Colt frame with a serial number that happens to fall into the 1918 Colt production range. If you can get some clearer pics of the markings we can help ID it. It is in nice shape from what I can see. Last edited by Bindernut; 09-19-2012 at 09:37 AM..

09-19-2012, 10:43 AM	#6
sub-moa V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 395	Re: 1911 See what I can do __________________ "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln

09-19-2012, 02:29 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: 1911 The slide is post-WWII Colt commercial, so it was not around in 1944. I can't determine from the picture if the frame is military or not. Is there a letter or letters in, before, or after the serial number? Jim

09-19-2012, 05:31 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: 1911 Aftermarket 1911A1 frames were made by quite a few companies. Serial numbers duplicated Colt's numbers. I have a friend with a gun shop who had a 1911A1 he was very proud of. G.I. issue and he researched the SN. I hated to tell him the frame was aluminum. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

09-19-2012, 05:54 PM	#9
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: 1911 Some of those frames were made with markings so faint they could be removed easily and the frame marked to duplicate GI frames. That, plus a fake Singer slide and the smart boys can clean up. Fortunately, most of the efforts along those lines are so crude that only a totally unknowledgeable person would be taken in. Jim