What can you guys tell me about this Colt 1911?

[lovemachine]

This Colt 1911 was given to my dad years ago when my Grandfather died. We know nothing about it, and was hoping some of the 1911 Guru's could give us a little more information about it.

Maybe the year it was manufactured, the value, stuff like that. Thanks!

 

[SSGSAD]

I am not going to be much help, but since it says A1, it was adopted in 1924.....

 

[451_Detonics]

manufactured in 1943 the G H D is the inspector, Guy H. Drewry Colt S/N 845,000 to 2,360,600

Colt Firearm Serial Number Lookup - Year of Manufacture

http://proofhouse.com/colt/

 

[lovemachine]

1943? Huh. Wasn't sure how old it was.

Any idea of what it would be worth?

 

[T.Lex]

Priceless. IMHO.

 

[lovemachine]

Is there anyway to find out if it was carried by an officer during the war?

 

[tcecil88]

That is a beautiful 1911. It looks to have been really well cared for. I don't know what your plan is but I could never part with an heirloom like that. To me it would be priceless. My Grandpa was in the European Theater, but the only thing I have of his service is a Company photo of his from boot camp.

 

[451_Detonics]

1943? Huh. Wasn't sure how old it was.

Any idea of what it would be worth?

There is a somewhat rougher 1943 Colt on gunbroker with bids in excess of $1800 with 5 days to go. Personally I would look at it as being somewhat priceless as a family heirloom if your Grandfather served in WWII. If selling it is the goal I would have it evaluated by an expert first.

 

[lovemachine]

The 1911 was left to my grandfather when his brother died. And his brother, my great uncle, bought it from a friend, but we've no idea where he got it from.

 

[451_Detonics]

My guess would be it was a gun kept by a serviceman when he was discharged from the military following WWII. From the apparent lack of wear on the finish I would suspect it belonging to a more rear area soldier/officer (REMF) rather than it being in an active combat zone. A Colt Archive Letter would provide as much history as you are likely to be able to find on the gun, cost about $100 but solidly identifies the gun.

http://www.colt.com/Catalog/ArchiveServices.aspx

 

[lovemachine]

Thanks for the info.

Would anyone carry that 1911? Or is that more of a "safe queen"?

 

[Tactically Fat]

Thanks for the info.

Would anyone carry that 1911? Or is that more of a "safe queen"?

one would be a fool to carry that old 1911.

Not because antique guns are "dangerous" (Though many of them certainly are more dangerous than their contemporaries), but because that's a beautiful example of an WWII era Colt 1911. Beautiful examples of WWII era Colt 1911 pistols are to be admired - not carried.

 

[lovemachine]

one would be a fool to carry that old 1911.

Not because antique guns are "dangerous" (Though many of them certainly are more dangerous than their contemporaries), but because that's a beautiful example of an WWII era Colt 1911. Beautiful examples of WWII era Colt 1911 pistols are to be admired - not carried.

I agree with that. But, how would you compare this gun to today's 1911's?

James Yeager says that the 1911's that were put together by the hands of craftsman are the most reliable. So would that mean this old 1943 1911 be more reliable than say a new Springfield?

 

[Tactically Fat]

one must define reliable.

More loose tolerances can mean better feeding reliably. But older style feed ramps may not like JHP ammo.

Reliable can also mean longevity. Will an old gun stand up to thousands of rounds as good or better than a new gun? I don't know. Maybe - maybe not.

How about safety? Will that old gun be as safe when the safety is on as a new gun? Maybe. On the face of it, I'd trust a modern gun more so than the old one. Same with the grip safety. However - a once-over by a competent 1911-smith can certainly alleviate those concerns; and replace parts of there ARE concerns.

It's a nice old pistol. I'd not hesitate to shoot it as that one's not particularly collectible. However, at nearing $1800 (by what the other guy said about a similar one on GB) - I'd probably choose the lightest loads I could. But I'd still shoot it.

 

[lovemachine]

one must define reliable.

More loose tolerances can mean better feeding reliably. But older style feed ramps may not like JHP ammo.

Reliable can also mean longevity. Will an old gun stand up to thousands of rounds as good or better than a new gun? I don't know. Maybe - maybe not.

How about safety? Will that old gun be as safe when the safety is on as a new gun? Maybe. On the face of it, I'd trust a modern gun more so than the old one. Same with the grip safety. However - a once-over by a competent 1911-smith can certainly alleviate those concerns; and replace parts of there ARE concerns.

It's a nice old pistol. I'd not hesitate to shoot it as that one's not particularly collectible. However, at nearing $1800 (by what the other guy said about a similar one on GB) - I'd probably choose the lightest loads I could. But I'd still shoot it.

Makes sense. I'll agree with that.


Well, there's no sentimental value towards the gun, and I wouldn't be surprised if my dad decided to sell it. He's the one that was hoping to get more info on it.

 

[wtfd661]

This is the forum you want to post this in, they will give you the straight poop about your gun, value etc. Very knowledgeable people hang out there and the love USGI 1911's.

https://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

 

[tcecil88]

As far as your reliability question. I have a buddy who has a Remington-Rand 1911A1 that was traced back to WWII. He carried that pistol for years and has fired 10's of thousands of rounds through it with nothing more than a spring replacement as needed. He recently retired it because it needs a new thumb safety plunger housing staked on. Other than that, it is good to go. He also has a Colt 1911 that was dated back to 1918. He shoots it frequently and it too is 100%.
For my purposes, they would be safe queens, especially if it was my Grand-dad's.

 

[SEIndSAM]

I may or may not have an elderly relative who's departed husband brought back a 1911 from Korea. He was a Mortarman and carried that 1911 the whole 14 months he was there.

Because it is stamped "US Property", she is convinced that some day the US Army is going to knock at her door and demand the handgun back....

 

[RustyHornet]

While I wouldn't carry it everyday, I would certainly carry it on special occasions. And most defiantly would shoot it. I'm not one to save something for the next guy, I would enjoy every second I had it.

 

[LCSOSgt11]

I would cherish it. With that said, a new recoil spring, and some FMJ ammo run through it on appropriate dates (birthdays of relatives gone by) could not hurt it. I would clean it, preserve it, and shoot it sparingly.
It is a slice of history. You may want to write to Colt, and have them produce a letter of production which would show when it was produced. Just a suggestion.