Colt 1911A1 Value

[Wulf]

I just picked up an all original Colt 1911A1. It has 90% original finish and all correct stamps. It was produced in the last Colt batch of 1945. It is supposedly a bringback. I could not swear to that, but I tend to believe it by the condition and where it came from. Anybody care to offer a value? Thanks.

Information

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[Scott Gahimer]

We'll need more than that. How about a serial number and some photos. Your pistol could really be something...one way or the other.

[Wulf]

I knew that would be coming. It will be Mon before I can post pics. I work 16 hr shifts all weekend. It was definitely from the last Colt batch in 1945 according to my Clawson. It has the original two tone finish. Really a beauty. I have been wanting one for many many years and this one sort of fell in my lap. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

[oldcanuck]

It has the original two tone finish.

Two tone finish..... are you referring to a Parkerized frame and Parko-Lubrite slide....??? Or an actual color difference ??????

[Wulf]

I'll post pics tomorrow morning. It has a darker finish on the muzzle end of the slide to about 1/3 of the way back.

[Johnny Peppers]

Two tone finish..... are you referring to a Parkerized frame and Parko-Lubrite slide....??? Or an actual color difference ??????

One of the few things that Mr. Clawson missed. When the finish was changed from Parkerizing to Parko-Lubrite, the finishes were not mixed. For some reason on most of the late Colts with Parko-Lubrite finish, the receiver was sandblasted while the slide was not. This gave a different appearance to the finishes of the slide and receiver, and the thinking that the actual finish was different. If you look at one of the sandblasted receivers you will see that the top of the receiver was not sandblasted, leaving it smooth and dark. The finish was smooth enough that Ordnance allowed Colt to discontinue the practice of polishing the feed ramp, and they are finished over. While the color difference on the slide and receiver of this Colt is exaggerated somewhat by the angle the light is hitting the pistol, it shows the difference in color due strictly to the metal prep before finishing. It also shows the tempered area of the front of the slide, which is also exaggerated by the difference in metal prep.

[Wulf]

Thanks for the info. My looks exactly like that one. What is the correct mag? Mine is 228xxxx. It came with a two tone blue/white and I cannot find any markings. I'll get pics up tomorrow.

[Scott Gahimer]

The correct magazine for your pistol has a welded base (not pinned ), has C-L, C-R or C-S marked on the bottom of the base plate and L, R or S on the top of the toe of the base plate.

The two-tone magazine you describe sounds like a Colt, but photos will verify what you have. Looking forward to seeing the pistol and magazine.

Thanks.

[Wulf]

Here are the pics. It's early and I was rushing. So not the best pics.


---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 AM ----------

[Scott Gahimer]

Late Colt stocks have wide rings around the holes. Your narrow ring stocks probably have a K and a star on the back sides, which would indicate they were made by Keyes Fibre for a Remington Rand, Ithaca or US&S pistol.

What does the top of your hammer look like? Serrated or checkered? A photo would help. And yes, your magazine is incorrect for the pistol as manufactured, but it may have been with the pistol for a long time.

How is your barrel marked? What does your mainspring housing look like? Photos would help.