1911 grip diamond ??

[lastditch]

Hello to all,
Been prowling around Milsurps site for a while for information, I'm mainly a blade collector. Most question on firearms I have had can be found with a simple search.
I now have a question that I haven't found a definitive answer for yet.

I'm in the process of trying to purchase a Colt 1911 in the 474000 serial number range.
After inspecting the piece I found the grip have 13 lines instead of the standard 15 + or - .
Also in photos some of the diamond checkering does not form a complete diamond in the first row around large diamond..
I have heard that incomplete diamond's can be repo grips.
I did find some reference to 13 line grip used for late production of the Colt 1911.
SO...did the Colt 1911 use 13 line grip in later production and if yes anyone know what range.
From photo's can anyone tell if grip are OK ?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Tom “lastditch”

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

Yes, Colt did use 13 row stocks in late 1911 production, and the 13 row stocks carried over the the Government Models of the same period. While the 1911 production covered a large serial number range, it did not cover a long period of time. I don't think this has been known long enough to establish the serial number range where they were first used, but the 1911 shown should fall into the range.

The stocks shown in the photograph look fine. This is a 533000 range with 13 row stocks for comparison.

[lastditch]

Johnny, thanks for the clarification on the diamond line count on stocks.
I was more concern about the incomplete diamonds, I could not find any good picture of stock closeups shown the incomplete diamond checkering
The Colt supposedly belonged to a great uncle who again supposedly was a Colonel during WW1.

I first was shown this piece about 6 years ago with the promise if they ever sold it I would get a shot at it.
I gave them my offer , now waiting to hear back.
I will post better photos if deal goes through.
Tom “lastidtch”

[jmoore]

Interesting to note that both pistols seem to have some verdegris in the checkering of the LH grip.

[lastditch]

Interesting to note that both pistols seem to have some verdegris in the checkering of the LH grip.

Now that is the difference's between a collector and a COLLECTOR , when you're down to the details of the verdigris in the checkering.

[lastditch]

Well the family accepted my offer, so as promised here's a couple of better photo's of the new baby !
Under the stocks was information on the Doughboy with his service history cut to size of the stocks.
The family wanted to keep the original papers , but I was able to make a copy.
It does sound like I might get the original paper if I really need them, I didn't push the issue today.
Tom

[Johnny Peppers]

The two magazine pockets on the left are WWI era, but the pocket on the right is WWII.

[lastditch]

The two magazine pockets on the left are WWI era, but the pocket on the right is WWII.

Yup, the 1943 date gave that away, lol. It came with the package, couldn't leave that behind.

[Johnny Peppers]

And I couldn't even see the date!

[browningautorifle]

Simple though, single snap V/S double snap...but I'd take it too.