Weird 1911s help needed

[No Time to Shoot]

I'm looking picking up these 3 1911s this weekend and am a little confused on them:

The first one is a Colt with some sort of thing coming off the grip (see pic below)

Any idea on what this is and the value?

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/atlantispools/2013-04-16_200642.jpg

The next 2 are Colt Essex, Colt slide on an Essex frame. I dont know anything else about them and Ive read mixed reviews online. Any thoughts on quality and value?
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/atlantispools/2013-04-1695205717.jpg



http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/atlantispools/2013-04-1695200700.jpg

Sorry fort the horrible pics!

Looking forward to the input.

 

[chizzle]

Does the first one have some sort of old scope mount on it? It kinda looks like an old school men's razor.

 

[IndyDave1776]

I have seen recent-vintage race guns with optics mounts similar to the first picture (i.e., integral with the grip or fitted under the grip/over the bushings.. My guess is that this is merely the out of print edition of the same basic concept.

 

[No Time to Shoot]

Thanks for the input guys! I wondered if thats what it was. if you look close at the trigger it is not a factory style Ive seen.

 

[chizzle]

Here is a guy (also in Indiana) mentioning the same thing:

loadmastervideos.com :: View topic - 1911 scope mount

 

[No Time to Shoot]

That is one of the craziest looking 1911s Ive ever seen. Thanks!

 

[long coat]

Where are they & what are they asking for them?

 

[skunkworks1]

i'd go with the colt you showed first and change the grips. four screws and you're done.

 

[No Time to Shoot]

Where are they & what are they asking for them?

They are from a collection not at a gun shop and I havent gotten the price for these.

 

[No Time to Shoot]

If its an old race gun or competition gun should I steer clear?

 

[drillsgt]

Definitely steer clear of the second two frankenguns.

 

[sparkyfender]

I'd like to have the Colt. BUT! I hope that the internals haven't been boogered up.
It could be turned into a decent shooter/carry pistol........

 

[Riflemen14]

I have a Colt upper with US Army roll mark, and Essex lower. Very reliable, and will shoot any type of ammo.

 

[Fullmag]

Try searching on some Colt 1911 sites. Those are some unusual Colt's. I'm no expert but if a guns been modified with different trigger then be very careful. Besides killing the collectable value it could be expensive to get it be a range shooter or it could a sweet range shooter. Have it checked out by expert I'd say.

Keep us posted! I Really like old guns and their history.

 

[CarmelHP]

Back in the '80's Essex had a good reputation as a decent frame for building an inexpensive 1911. I think Gun Parts (or Numrich back then) was the major distributor. If the price was right, I'd buy then, just don't pay through the nose.

 

[1911Shooter]

I personally like the old school race gun look. Think of it as the rat rod of the gun world. I would put a scope back on it and have fun, if the price is right. You may want to have the internals checked out by someone though. Pretty cool little gun, Good luck with the purchase and keep us updated.

 

[STEEL CORE]

I used to own an essex/colt like in pic #2, was a nice shooter. Back in 1993 an older gent in farm overalls stopped by my table at the 1500 late one afternoon and said he wanted a target shooter like my essex/colt (pic#2) and would I take a trade? He then produced a 1915 made Colt 1911 US Army 95% mint and we traded. Pistol has three angle file notches around the mag well for the three Mexican Banditos he said his grandpappy killed with it in 1916 with Black Jack Pershing's expedition. Boy if that gun could talk! Not a bad trade eh?

 

[singlestacksig]

#1 is a grip mount for some optics.. an early generation c-more or such..
you can just remove it and replace with a normal grip..