Multi Piece 1911 mainspring

surfclod

surfclod

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Just took my 1911 to the range today, first time I have had it out to shoot in probably 6 years or more. I had lots of "Fail to Fire" from the get go, it did get better as I put more rounds through it but it continued far to much so I cut my session short and decided to give it a good cleaning. When dissembling it I found this.........
P1013240.jpg


I bought the gun in 1995 from Wolverine in Virden MB, John said it was a Vietnam War issue item that had been refurbished. I paid about $250 if I remember correctly and I am planning to sell it to a friend but am not sure what is a fair price as I have heard that original 1911's have gone up in value in recent years. Its only in fair condition but an original gov't model 1911, Remington Rand manufactured.

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P1013246.jpg


Any suggestions on what would be a fair price?
 
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Here's my .02........

If the serial number of the frame is: 790,### then it is a 1942 Colt mfg frame. I can see the Colt view proof on the left side pic on the trigger guard bow. And the frame is "WB" [Waldemar Bromberg] inspected [see the "WB" initials in the small square on the left side pic on the frame just below the slide stop] which is correct for a 1942 mfg Colt USGI 1911A1.

With a Remington Rand slide it is a mismatch. The front site has been modified [filed] to put a flat face on it. Small parts are mis-match as well [later stamped short trigger, slide stop is later as well, hammer should be the early wide hammer]. Grips are later WWII issue, likely "Keyes" grips.

Is the barrel a "HS" [High Standard] mfg..... should have an "HS" on one side of the lug and a "P" proof on the other side. Which is likely for a mis-match pistol. If your lucky it will have the proper Colt marked barrel.

Of course the mainspring needs replacement. No problem, it is a fairly common part and usually not expensive.

Finish leaves much to be desired.... Bought for $250 ~ 10 - 15 years ago is about right...... However, that all said, as a "shooter" grade mis-match USGI 1911A1 in that condition it is likely still worth $550-$650 on the current market.

Here's a pic of my "restoed" 1942 mfg "WB" inspected Colt 1911A1 [sn. 780,###]:

DSCN0297.jpg
 
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Thanks NAA

Thats good to know a little more about this gun. I was confused by the Remington Rand marking on the slide and yet the serial no. was lower than Rem manufactured guns. It never even occured to me that it would have parts from various maunfacterers but it makes total sense now that they would cannibalize what they have on hand when refurbishing.

The barrel just has an "S" and a "P" on the one side, nothing else.
1911barrel.jpg


I ordered a few parts from Marstar today, mainspring, magazine catch, firing pin spring, and a new magazine. Just what is needed to make it function as reliable as possible. New external parts just look silly on a gun with this much pitting.

I knew that 1911 values had gone up a fair amount since I bought it, just wasn't sure how much.
 
Looks like you have a proper era Colt barrel.

Here's what a noted 1911 authority says about your barrel:

Ty Moore site said:
"S" stamping forward of the lugs 711,000 to 935,000 (approximately): Most or all of the Commercial to Military conversion pistols have the "S" marked barrel as they were originally Commercial pistols and would have had "S" for "Sales" marked barrels. Colts apparently used most of its remaining commercial parts in pistols following the C to M conversions, as Commercial slides (With commercial markings) can be seen in pistols up through the Canadian group. The S marked Colt barrels will sometimes exhibit an almost fire blue color on the chamber area. Apparently these barrels had already had the chamber area polished out to the white, and then were heat blued to meet military requirements.
Click to expand...

Lots of good info about USGI 1911's on that site. Here's a link:


http://www.coolgunsite.com/
 
PS.... You don't want to do too much to this pistol. It still has some collector following, albeit limited, even in the condition that it is in. If you do replace parts, keep the originals with it...... ;)
 
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