Canadian Contract 1911 ?

OneBarfly

OneBarfly

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Hello,

A while a go, I picked up a 1911 that I think may be a Canadian Contract 1911. According to the seller, the pistol was purchased from the widow of someone whose name appears in the CEF database (I know the name). No other proof than this second-hand info. The pistol has pitting all over, but is functional and appears correct. The serial number seems defaced or damaged. So, what do you think it's worth as is?

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What caliber is it, .455 or 45acp?
The "C" in the serial number means commercial production NOT Army production, so it came off the commercial production line at Colt. While there is evidence that some 1911's did find their way into the hand of the CEF in Europe I believe the Canadian Gov't did not directly purchase these guns from Colt.
As for condition, there are some serious issues but it appears to be un-refinished which is a plus. Realistically, if the internals are all original too the gun could command in my opinion, C$1200.00. It has some collector value but not much....
 
Looks like it certainly could be. Spend the $100 for the Colt letter to be sure. If yes, that $100 is worth $1000 or more... Too bad she's a little rough. Condition, condition, condition!
 
did you check the magazine for any markings?
check out collectors source to see the one they have for sale . they are asking 3Gs.
 
When I am home in a month ill check my lettre's from cold for both of mine. They list mine in shipments to the government of canada in quantities of 500. So there will be a 1000 serial range that I can tell you. But like others said, it looks right.
 
OneBarfly said:
The gun is attributed to FISKEN, Arthur Douglas, Capt., Asst. Adjt., 20th Bn.,

No proof other than the word of the seller, who I trust
Click to expand...

Without some hard documentation establishing the providence unfortunately the 'word' of the seller doesn't add to the value at all.

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NAA.
 
hatman1793 said:
What caliber is it, .455 or 45acp?
The "C" in the serial number means commercial production NOT Army production, so it came off the commercial production line at Colt. While there is evidence that some 1911's did find their way into the hand of the CEF in Europe I believe the Canadian Gov't did not directly purchase these guns from Colt.
As for condition, there are some serious issues but it appears to be un-refinished which is a plus. Realistically, if the internals are all original too the gun could command in my opinion, C$1200.00. It has some collector value but not much....
Click to expand...

The Canadian government purchased 5,000 1911 Colts directly from Colt in 1914. There is a serial number range for Canadian contract guns. Don't be in a hurry to sell it before doing more research. Canadian officers were required to provide their own gear at their own expense so many were sold directly to officers by the Canadian government this explains why most did not receive Canadian Broad Arrow markings.
 
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The value on this one unfortunately is not going to be all that much. It's really salty plus from the pics provided, looks like the barrel hood is blued which would indicate a replacement barrel as colts in this serial range have a polished barrel hood. So based on replaced barrel and salty condition maybe a 1000? What you could do is spend the 100usd for a letter, the wait as of last week is 120 days. Do as much research on the name as you can. You never know what you may stumble on. I found and bought this on one of mine that supposedly belonged to this man who co-cowrote this book as his letters to home are the basis to the book. I'm just waiting on the letter to confirm this pistol which has his initials on it is a cdn contract gun.


 
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

These pistols are all within the serial number range of the 1914 "Canadian Contract". Some have provenance to a Canadian soldier as well as a Colt letter. The least expensive is a 1913 with a replacement barrel, the most expensive has complete original parts plus a 98% original finish. They cost me from $950.00 to $4,000.00

Original pistols and magazine did not have the Canadian Broad Arrow. The Broad Arrow was only found on the 10,000 Colt pre 1916 magazines that the government bought "after the fact".

P.S. Old picture; it is missing my latest purchase
 
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