Safety

[Mikecp@2022]

Do we know how many in the 1930's 1911A1 .45 and .38 super Auto has been made with a Swartz Safety. I guess few hundred...And when did they started and stop to do this safety.
Is a gun having such safety increase the collector value.
Thanks

Information

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[Scott Gahimer]

There were a few thousand Swartz safety pistols produced...beginning in 1937 and ending in 1942. Yes, they usually sell for a premium due to their rarity.

[jmoore]

IIRC, most were exported from the US. Argentina got quite a few of the .45s. Just guessing, but there may still be more outside the US than in. Whether it affects market value in Switzerland/Europe versus a similar non-Swartz safety equipped pistol I have no idea!

[Johnny Peppers]

Just as a Luger with a scarce feature is worth more in the U.S., I would guess the same would hold true for a Colt in Europe. The premium is on a sliding scale according to original condition.

[DaveN]

Swartz safety? Not totally sure what one is. I compared my 1943 with my new Auto Ordinance and looking at the under side of the rear of the slide the new one has a hole with a post inset and the 43 does not. is that the Swartz and are they on new ones as required by law or??
I'm still learning?

[Johnny Peppers]

This is the Swartz Safety as found on the pre WWII Colt Government Model. I don't believe there is any law requiring any additional safety.

[jmoore]

Funnily enough, the Swartz safety may now be found on Kimber 1911 variants.

The Colt pistols which still offer a firing pin safety seem stuck on their '80 Series safety which most folk don't like as well.

[Johnny Peppers]

The original Colt Swartz safety worked off the grip safety where the Colt 80 Series works off the trigger. The extra duty given the trigger didn't help the trigger pull.