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  1. #1
    Legacy Member imarangemaster's Avatar
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    1920 Colt 1911 comercial find.

    Picked up an interesting basket case. According to serial number, it was made by Colt in 1920. It had some pitting polished out and re-blued for an ugly finish, and for some reason had the channels in the top of the slide opened up to make a sloppy barrel fit, allegedly to allow it to shoot blanks or some such nonsense. The barrel slopped around in the 1920 slide.

    I tried the barrel (which appeared unmolested) in a different slide, and it was nice and tight. I stripped the slide, and put everything in a Brazilianicon contract slide. It was a direct fit, as I did not even have to change barrel links. Took it to the range and it ran like a champ. He also had a series 70 barrel bushing (which I kept), a funky Commander style hammer, which I replaced with a Colt 1911A1 wide spur hammer, and a badly pitted mainspring housing, which I replaced with a 1911A1 arched one with lanyard ring. I also added a nice set of diamond grips, though it had a nice set of fully checkered ones which I kept.

    End result is a Franken-Colt. I plan on using it for shooting Cowboy Action "Wild Bunch" matches.

    It is amazing that this 103 year old Pony rides again!
    Last edited by imarangemaster; 04-30-2023 at 11:33 AM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    So...pics?
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member imarangemaster's Avatar
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    Here it is. Probably zero collector value, but a really good shooter! The lugs on the barrel are crisp and intact, and the lock up in the Brazilianicon slide is 100%. It floated around in the Colt slide.



    Check out the buggered up slide with locking lug recesses enlarged?




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  9. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Only thing it might use is a nice bead blast and parkerize if someone was doing a batch... I have a Gov't model that's like this. Started life as an Auto Ord of new and has undergone enough changes...but is tight and shoots and functions perfectly.

    Too bad about the old Colt slide.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member imarangemaster's Avatar
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    I also replaced the recoil spring with qa Wolf factory standard 16 pound one.

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