Colt 1903 .32 US PROPERTY

[painter777]

Found a 558369 with no mention of production date on Lisker's site,

http://www.coltautos.com/cagotm201801.htm


CH-P777

[ap3572001]

Wait . Lol. Sorry everybody. So the gun I am talking about , which is indeed blue ( not parkerized) IS 558XXX. Letter says that is WAS shipped to OSS in 1944. For some reason , letter also says that it was made in 1944. Which is not possible , since the serial number dates it to 1942.......

[painter777]

Good News !!

it was bugging me to death.
I know how sharp Bruce is on these.
When proper, would love to see it.

Cheers,
Charlie_Painter777

[Badger]

Thanks, Charlie.... appreciate the help ...

Regards,
Doug

[ap3572001]

Well.....I guess I have a weird one. Lol. Called Colt Archives this morning to question the dates on my letter. So here it is. : Ser# 5589XX was made in June 29 1944 and shipped to OSS on Aug. 11 1944. Order # 4420 with 543 guns. My gun is definitely blue not parked. Serial number info I got dates it to 1942. Colt insists that its 1944.

[Bruce McAskill]

Not all of Colts records are complete or accurate. This happened over the years and if I remember right and it's a hazy memory that Colt had a fire of some sort and some of their records were destroyed like 40 or 50 years ago. If I did remember right this could be the case of your information mix up????

[ap3572001]

I see. Basically, I will never know what I have....

[browningautorifle]

Basically, I will never know what I have

You have a letter so it's at least got that. As for blue v/s Parkerizing, I've done lots after the fact on things with attempt to make them look correct...years ago. If I wanted to do a worn park finish, change it to blue...I'd use a liquid strip until it was bare and then drop it unpolished into a good strong blue tank. It would cover and look correct. Then the use over the years would make it look honest. With a gun that's 70+ years old, no telling what was done three or four decades back. There was lots around and no one cared. These are/were an excellent carry and play gun so it would have seen lots of range time too...

I take it there are no forthcoming pics? I'd like to see the wear on this one...

Also when referring to the "Book", and the splendid info inside...as soon as you read that it was specifically this or that, you find an example that's opposite.

[painter777]

Also when referring to the "Book", and the splendid info inside...as soon as you read that it was specifically this or that, you find an example that's opposite.

Good Point BAR

While searching for information about the OP's gun,
I've looked through a number of Colt letter images on the net.
See that many during War time production don't have a 'Manufactured date on it'
Then when looking at post War letters, many DO Show a production date.
IDK, Will assume as seen that some letters have made on dates, some don't.

And as I posted above, sometimes the Colt letter calls the finish Blued, when it is actually Parked.
Either way would love to see this one.

VR,

[browningautorifle]

Either way would love to see this one.

Still hoping the OP posts pics. Might help overall too...