Model of 1911 U.S. Army with "Colt Automatic Calibre 45" on slide

[Scott Gahimer]

The Swartz cut in the commercial-marked WWII Colt slides used in the 930-935K serial range is standard. The Swartz cuts were made in both the slides and the receivers prior to the external markings being applied. So all the commercial-marked slides transferred to military use in 1942 and 1943 had the Swartz cut in them.

There are several variations of C/M transfer pistols with different parts transferred. I think the lowest numbered WWII Colt receiver I've seen with an S-marked C/M recevier is 798021. I suspect the highest is about 890-900K.

I've only seen (2) WWII Colt receivers outside the C/M re-numbered range (860003-ca. 866700) with a Swartz-cut receiver that was NOT re-numbered. One was a British commercial-proved piece in the 90x,xxx serial range. The other is 872308 that I have. From the outside, both of those pistols look like standard military pistols. It sometimes pays to look inside pistols that are otherwise plain-jane-looking.

On the WWI M1911 pistols, there were some interesting C/M variations other than the ones with the double-marked slides that the OP shows. There were some, like 334194, that have receivers transferred and are marked S on the receiver tops. That pistol is also interesting because it falls into a range where there were several Navy pistols. I need to letter it.

There were others with all the standard commercial markings (including a C-prefix serial number), BUT they had a military final acceptance mark. These pistols were desperately needed in mid-1918 and were transferred about the same time Colt omitted some of the normal production steps to increase the rate of production. They therefore have an Eagle's Head/S final inspection.

Even though some of these C/M WWI and WWII variations are scarcely seen, they do not necessarily have the same level of desirabilty or value with some collectors. They all seem to have different values and there is no set standards to determine what they are. Values are always subjective.

For example, the C/M slide pistols, like the one Troy shows and my 930917 are rare, but based on what I've seen, they typically don't sell for nearly as much as the C/M re-numbered pieces in the 860003-ca. 866700 serial range. That doesn't make much sense, because they are more rarely seen examples. I think part of that is due to people not recognizing them for what they are. Mr. Clawson devotes a good bit of information on the re-numbered pieces. I think that influences the perception of collectors, as well. More people seem to understand what the C/M re-numbered pieces are and want one. They are more distinctly different, based on them being entire pistols that were transferred and totally converted from a beautiful commercial blue pistol to a mere Parkerized military piece.

I personally like all the C/M and M/C transfers because they are something out of the norm. I hadn't really thought of it before, but more than 10% of my collection is C/M or M/C transfers. But I'll admit, I'm hooked on them.

[prewar]

I did not pay anymore for the one I have (but I would have ) than any other gun`s in that range . But if you wanted to buy it from me there is now way I would sell it for what I paid !!!!!!! I looked a long time for one of them and hope to add one with the BP and CN mark`s to my collection. And also glad Scott was not at the show where I got it from as I know he would have seen the gun( most other`s over looked it ) and the seller played a game when it was time to sell it and I `m sure he was watinig for Scott to show up and look at the gun but he did not so I got the gun . That was the year we had the Blizzard at the same time of the OGCA show . the seller kept saying he wanted to show it to all the guy`s before he sold it and I know Scott would have been one of them but at noon sat I said I am leaving are you selling the gun and he did.

[Scott Gahimer]

I remember that "blizzard" show a couple years back. I was astounded that they even had the show in that weather. I also remember Troy showing me this pistol and it is a beautiful piece. If I owned it, I wouldn't sell it either...even at a substantial profit. It's about as good as I'd ever expect to find. I would not expect to ever be able to upgrade that example. It is beautiful!

[prewar]

I hate the gas mpg of my truck but in this case the AWD payed off and got me there and back & it was a gost town of a show .

[Promo]

So, here she is:
Attachment 17428

Attachment 17429

Came with the original holster, which is "G & [X] over 191[X]" (X is not readable) marked.

Only bad thing about it is the WW2 HS-marked barrel.

Georg

€dit: forgot, the inspection cartouche is an eagle with S8

[Johnny Peppers]

This one has the S marked receiver and barrel, but G marked slide, with no Swartz cut in receiver. The S marked barrel has what appears to be heat blue in the area where the commercial barrels would have been polished back to bright, almost as if they heat blued this area rather than dropping the barrels in the Du-Lite tank to blue the chamber area.