COLT 1911 mfg. 1918

[GUTS]

An elderly freind of mine had me come over and look at this 1911 for he. Her husband bought it in the 70's and shot it in a few pistol matches and then put it away. She said I can probably buy it form her in a couple of months(she is going to check with her children to see if it's okay). It is in outstanding shape except for the after market barrel lock(nut?) and the sights have been changed. The rear sight should be easy enough to replace as far as not damaging the pistol but I'm not sure how the front is attached except for the fact that the end of the slide has been heated enough to damage the finish. Is the original slot still under the new sight or is it too hard to tell without removing it? Can it even be removed without causing further damage? I also would like to know how much this pistol is de-valued because of this. It's kind of a shame because the pistol is so nice.
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2110-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2126-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2113-1.jpg
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http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2115-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2114-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2117-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2118-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2125-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2119-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2122-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_2121-1.jpg

[dsk]

It may not have been a big deal at the time (1970's) to modify an original M1911 like that, but now it's a crying shame and not something that can really be fixed. The barrel bushing, mainspring housing and rear sight might be replaceable, but the front sight has for all intents and purposes ruined the slide. It's probably worth more for the parts than as a complete pistol!

[DaveN]

I don't know if the saying "you've got nothing to lose" as putting it back as close to original will cost something and you may not be able to get it perfect that's a given but as an owner of what I call the land of misfit toys ( in my case guns) I like to think they all deserve a good home and some love even if they've been abused.
To the purist it's a parts gun. Rightly so. To me it's a project in the making. If you deside to save it I look forward to the after pics. Just try not to pay to much to get it. Just my 2 cents.

[Scott Gahimer]

If you want to put the pistol back the way it originally was, you better be shopping for another slide. The sights weren't just changed...the entire slide is from a much earlier pistol. It has serif style font.

[GUTS]

I think it will make a fine shooter, if I get to buy it I'll leave it the way it is. Thanks

[DaveN]

A wise choice.

[A square 10]

yes - a very fine shooter , and even if not in collectible condition , its a keeper

[DaveN]

Scott , when you say the slide is from an earlier pistol how can you tell? I'm going to look it up and I've sent off for the Clawson book and picture CD so some day I'll learn as much as I can.
Is it the position of the colt ? Would the serial # be behind the firing pin plate or on the slide? Thanks, Dave

[GUTS]

I've been looking through the little bit of information that I have and I can't find the difference either.

[Scott Gahimer]

Look at the lettering on the slide and compare it to that of the receiver. The slide's lettering has serif style letters; the receiver's lettering is NOT serif style. The receiver letter is plain block style with no serifs. The slide and receiver are clearly mismatched. The slide is from a much earlier pistol. The serial number was not applied to the slides on M1911 pistols.

Regarding the position of the rampant colt: The rampant colt should be in the center of the slide, between the patent dates after ca. s/n 290000. The radius cut on the recoil spring housing should also be the late, relaxed style cut. There was a transition serial range (ca. 275000-290000). However, the slide on this pistol is clearly earlier, due to the style of lettering. Serif letters were used primarily up to ca. s/n 180000. There were a few 1917 USMC pistols in ca. the 210xxx and 215xxx serial range that used serifed style letters, too, but they are not standard. Those pistols were produced and shipped in 1917, even though the higher serial number ranges. The serial range was assigned and the pistols were produced (but those USMC pistols have nothing to do with this pistol). I am just clarifying one anomaly seen regarding the serial range of slides with serif style lettering.

[painter777]

Guts,
I wonder if there's a chance he had this slide set up for shooting.
Possible there might be another (correct) slide there at the house for that gun.
Sure worth asking if he has extra parts.

Good luck,
Charlie-painterr777

[DaveN]

Excellent observation P-777 that would be cool if the original slide was available. Also thanks to SG for your info. Reminds me why I sent off for that 1911 Clawson book and picture CD. Knowledge is power, or something like that.

I just looked at the picture of the left side again and this is like a tool to learn or see the comparison of serif and non serif stamping. I know the serif P on the Garands but didn't even observe the difference here until you pointed it out, thanks.

[GUTS]

I ws able to purchase the pistol for $900.