Colt m1911 Russian Contract ?

[SilverVeteran]

Hi all !
I am totally newbie here. This forum seemed to be a right place for my mystery 1911. This 1911 is in its original condition and guaranteed last time fired 1945. Since then nothing has been done to it. Not even cleaned. It seems to work nicely but I would like to clean it. Do I dare ?

I already did some research from the internet and found out some infos.
It seems to be Russian Contract Colt 1911 mfg 1916.
Could someone help me out with these markings ?
I would really appreciate especially if some knows what these U & S means and the number 6 or 9 below the bullet chamber ?

I already sent the inquiry to Colt, but..... 90 days response time ?!?

Information

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[rcathey]

I had the chance to buy one of these not long ago. From my research at the time I figure it's about a $10,000 gun.
I saw one other while researching that did have the letter from Colt. It's serial was a few thousand away from yours and it was listed as shipped to the Russian government.

By the way, I can see what looks like active rust. Nice, original, rare...it still needs cleaned and oiled periodically.

[SilverVeteran]

10k ? Really ? Wow... This piece has been hidden for 74 years in a box under the floor boards in a barn. It was inside a wool insulated leather glove. Old letters and other stuff in the same box revealed that it was placed there 1945. Yes, there are some small rust points and those needs to be taken care of... I just don't know how so that I dont do anything stupid and ruin this piece of history... Either way it has survived in amazingly good condition for over seven decades ?!?

[rcathey]

10k ? Really ? Wow...

Yup. I think the real trick for you, being in Europe, will be finding the buyer.
In the states, I think it would sell pretty quick at 10k.

[SilverVeteran]

What do you think about the number 1 in the serial ? To me it looks a bit weird ? It does not look like number 1, to me it looks like straight line ?

[rcathey]

I don't think it's anything to worry about.

[browningautorifle]

What do you think about the number 1 in the serial ?

I think that number looks good. Just a sharp die at that point.

[Sergio Natali]

Yup. I think the real trick for you, being in Europe, will be finding the buyer.
In the states, I think it would sell pretty quick at 10k.

You're right, here in Italy for instance the market is completely stuck. If you buy something nice (and expensive) you'll never be able to sell it, unless you give it away for half the price. It's really upsetting.

[Daan Kemp]

The historical value of the find is going to be far less than the real value of the gun. Historical value will be for the family it belonged to or the reason for it being hidden, etc.

It might be worth your while to contact dealers who will ship it to the USA for the best price. I suspect that there are challenges where you are to dispose of the gun?

[SilverVeteran]

The historical value of the find is going to be far less than the real value of the gun. Historical value will be for the family it belonged to or the reason for it being hidden, etc.

It might be worth your while to contact dealers who will ship it to the USA for the best price. I suspect that there are challenges where you are to dispose of the gun?

You definitely got that right ! Historic value is massive. This gun belonged to my wife´s grandfather. There is no documentation between the period 1916-1940, but on 4th july 1940 grandfather bought (there is a receipt, sale price was 100mk = 20$) this gun from the Finnish White Guards. 1945, after Finland lost war against Russia, it was hidden under the floor boards and remained there for 7 decades.

Since the gun has verified history all the way to 1940 (and also the period 1916-1940 is quite easily figured out) it was not too bad to get legal permit to hold on to it. Firing is prohibited though...