Colt Commercial Government 1911 .45

[REM3200]

Picked up some handguns last week and this was amongst them. Not a collector so this one will likely be going to the EE at some point so looking for some imput.

This would be a " C " suffix serial C1121XX number putting it in production year of 1919 from what I can tell. Has not been reblued and shows wear and some light marks.

It hasn't been shot since the early to mid 70's and the person I got it from carved the grips that are on it now and I don't have the originals. As well the " Micro " sights I'm guessing are not original either as well the trigger is a replacement.

Have looked online and prices seem to start in the $1000.00 range and go up from there for a Colt of this vintage. Any imput on your thoughts as to value in this condition are appreciated.

Also picked up a S&W model 35 - .22 from the 50's which is the first one I've ever come across.

 

[Paulinski]

The slide was milled to install those horrible sights so the value will suffer because of that.

The grips are also crap

 

[REM3200]

The slide was milled to install those horrible sights so the value will suffer because of that.

The grips are also crap

Yes, the grips are crude but for a home made set are quite functional and hand filling. Easy enough to put a proper set of 1911 slim grips on the gun but finding a set from that vintage may be a problem.

As for those sights I've seen a couple online with the same set up. At the very least it may turn into a vintage shooter if I add the grips I'll put in a new recoil spring and a buffer.

 

[Mike Webb]

Outside of the grips and the sights it's in nice condition.
Why anyone would take a nice old Colt and butcher it up is beyond me.
I hope he's leading a miserable existence somewhere.
You could hope to pick up an original slide but they're scarce and the finish probably wouldn't match.
Unfortunately it's a shooter though a nice one.
In my area around $600 would be doing okay.

 

[NAA]

Back in the day it was quite common to make bullseye, IPSC or other shooting sports pistols from original/early commercial Colt or USGI 1911/1911A1's. They didn't have the collector interest/value they do now. So, you see lots of examples of this.

As has been discussed the dovetail in the slide has been altered [opened up] to accomodate the rear site. So, returning it to correct condition is remote. Finding a replacement/original 1911 commerical slide is also a possibility but will be expensive.

Finding original grips [double diamond hardwood] is an also difficult/expensive proposition. I'd look around for a nice set of current/contemporary double diamond hardwoods that are close in look to the originals. That would improve the look for sure.

As far as making it a shooter... be aware that the metal in these oldies is not up to par of the modern 1911's. Eventually, you will have a frame +/or slide crack with prolonged shooting, especially if you are using loads on the hotter side. I've also seen the firing pin hole on the breechface collapse in these oldies with lots of shooting.

Me, I'd put on a new set of grips, new recoil spring & shok buff, as you have mentioned, and shoot it occasionally. It is likely, given the other "modifications" that the original barrel, if it has it, has been "throated" to ease feeding. If so, I'd make up some light target loads for it with either 230 gr RN lead or 200 gr lead SWC, in the 700 - 750 fps, area and shoot it with those lighter loads to reduce frame/slide wear & tear.

As for value it is likely a $550-$650 pistol as is.

NAA.

 

[dan belisle]

I agree with NAA. It's a platform for building something interesting. - dan

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I've just acquired an accurized 1911 A1. The work was done by and belonged to a mid island retired tool & die maker who took up gunsmithing to go with his interest in bullseye shooting. He didn't like the cumbersome look of a Bo-Mar custom sight he had for it so he made his own. I have the Bo-Mar sight as well.

In addition, I also acquired a couple of spare mags, an old Lyman Tru-Line Jr. press, Lyman #45 sizer lubricator, dies and bullet mould to go with it. Not state of the art by todays standards but none the less, kinda cute and should be fun to play with. I just took it to the range yesterday, to make sure it would go 'bang' but I look forward to doing some accuracy testing in the near future.

When 'we' were involved in Bullseye shooting at the Naniamo club years back, I picked up a parkerized 1911 that he 'tiddled' and it would consistently shoot 2 1/2" at 50 yds off of a Ransom rest. I look forward to seeing what this one will do.

 

[NAA]

Altering early Colt commercial govt models....

Here's an example of an early Colt commercial government model, serial number C12,### that back in the day was reworked into a longslide/bullseye pistol.... Good shooter but in the same vein it's a shame a nice early commercial Colt was removed from the collector gene pool.

NAA.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Here's an example of an early Colt commercial government model, serial number C12,### that back in the day was reworked into a longslide/bullseye pistol.... Good shooter but in the same vein it's a shame a nice early commercial Colt was removed from the collector gene pool.

NAA.

Nice, very nice, but I do agree with what you're saying.

 

[REM3200]

Fully agree as well that original condition would be much prefered and a shame that it was altered however going to breath a little life back into what remains. The internals are in VG shape and a exceptional trigger.

May just track down a set of those Colt Medallion grips rather than the double diamond. Replace the recoil spring and a buffer and give it a test run with some light target loads.

As always, thanks for the information guys.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Help guys. As I mentioned, the one I recently acquired belonged to a mid island gunsmith who had done an accuracy job on it for bullseye shooting. If I wanted to shoot ball ammo out of it, how could I tell the difference between a modified recoil spring and buffer that may be in it and one suitable for shooting ball? If I needed a different spring & buffer, where would be a good place to obtain them?

 

[Gunney]

First step is to take the shok buf (that little plastic thingy) out and throw it away. It will do nothing except eventually degrade the reliability of the pistol when it breaks. With a proper recoil spring (16-18#) they are not needed in a 1911.

Regular ball shouldn't require anything special for springs as that's what the the 1911 was designed to shoot. 1911 parts are available from Armco, Marstar and many/most of the dealer at the top of the page. Your local gunsmith should also be able to get them with out too much difficulty if they don't already carry them.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

First step is to take the shok buf (that little plastic thingy) out and throw it away. It will do nothing except eventually degrade the reliability of the pistol when it breaks. With a proper recoil spring (16-18#) they are not needed in a 1911.

Regular ball shouldn't require anything special for springs as that's what the the 1911 was designed to shoot. 1911 parts are available from Armco, Marstar and many/most of the dealer at the top of the page. Your local gunsmith should also be able to get them with out too much difficulty if they don't already carry them.

Would it be likely to assume that if the gun was accurized/tuned to handle light target loads that the recoil spring would be modified or shortened? What should the spring length be in an unaltered gun?

 

[REM3200]

Well, locating a set of original grips wasn't a problem. Checked with a gentleman at the gunshow over the weekend and all looked after as well as a set of better grip screws. Also picked up another barrel.

Found a couple original slides as well but dosn't want to part with them.

 

[NAA]

Good score on the original grips. They are extremely difficult to come by in any kind of conditon.

It's already dramatically improved the look of your Colt...

NAA.