1918 Colt info please ...

Long time shooter, hunter, and collector.

Recently purchased 1911/A1 Colt=US. Property, etc. Ser. #210650. Can't find much info except that I believe it was made in 1918 and in checking with Colt Ser. No. it says that No. 210387-215386 was (reserved for receivers) and that 5000 were made.

Can someone explain just what this means?? and what type of value this may have. I purchased it from an estate and the fellow who originally bought the weapon purchased it in 1960 from Rock Island ordinance depot through NRA.--Wooden (walnut?) grips-green finish(same as Parkerized?)

Thanks

According to Colt records serial numbers 210387 thru 212516 were reserved for receivers for spare parts. Serial numbers 212517 thru 215386 were reserved numbers and probably not made.
The Ordnance Department ordered spare receivers to be used as needed, and those that were not used were later built into pistols by Springfield Armory from spare parts. The phosphate finish indicates that it went back through rebuild some time after it's original build date as the original finish would have been blue.
It is a Model 1911 with the receiver being built in 1917. You indicated that it was a 1911/A1, so does the slide have the 1911A1 designation on the right side? It is one of the oddities of 1911 collecting and has some additional value, but not as much as if in original blue finish.

My uncle passed away last year,he left me his colt 1911 org.usgi ser#273289
he retired from the USMC 28yrs. and he was assigned to embassy detail for that time. He was issued the 1911 when he first entered the USMC and he retired with it.
The frame has JMG stamped above the mag.release, united states property on the left side of the frame. ser.number no_ 273289 on the right side of frame. The frame also has proof makes of H ,G, 8, 5, and A .
The slide is also a colt with M1911 A1 U.S Army on the right side,the left side has patented apr 20 1897 ,sept 9 1902 with the colt symbol in center. the slide marks are G,P I ,S and U . the barrel lug has a P above it an F under the barrel and it say's colt 45 auto.
It is parkerized with about 98% finish other than normal holster wear and the brown plastic grips are prestine it came with a mag and it was marked with an L on top of the lip.
This 1911 has been all over the world with my uncle Nam, Iraq, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and panama. I would like some info on this 1911 and it's value for insurance..This is never going to have another round fired thru it.It's going to be retired with Honor..

Thanks
Rudedog
:super:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rudedog

My uncle passed away last year,he left me his colt 1911 org.usgi ser#273289
he retired from the USMC 28yrs. and he was assigned to embassy detail for that time. He was issued the 1911 when he first entered the USMC and he retired with it.
The frame has JMG stamped above the mag.release, united states property on the left side of the frame. ser.number no_ 273289 on the right side of frame. The frame also has proof makes of H ,G, 8, 5, and A .
The slide is also a colt with M1911 A1 U.S Army on the right side,the left side has patented apr 20 1897 ,sept 9 1902 with the colt symbol in center. the slide marks are G,P I ,S and U . the barrel lug has a P above it an F under the barrel and it say's colt 45 auto.
It is parkerized with about 98% finish other than normal holster wear and the brown plastic grips are prestine it came with a mag and it was marked with an L on top of the lip.
This 1911 has been all over the world with my uncle Nam, Iraq, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and panama. I would like some info on this 1911 and it's value for insurance..This is never going to have another round fired thru it.It's going to be retired with Honor..

Thanks
Rudedog
:super:

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Sorry about your uncle, but congrats on the heirloom, sounds like a nice one! Also sounds like a typical arsenal rebuilt mixmaster, a 1911 frame with a 1911A1 slide on it, not uncommon. Due to the heirloom value of it, I'd insure it for whatever value the ins. co. will accept, but at least $1000-$1500, IMO. And there's no reason you shouldn't shoot it, it was MADE to shoot! Take the old Pony out and let it run! It'll outlive you anyway.