WW1 Colt 1911 45 with an interesting twist...pics attached.

[astuart44]

Circumstances have led me to a 1911 Colt 45 Auto which dates back to WWI. An 83 year old man has it and claims it belonged to his father. The gun fires, but will not extract the case...not sure if the extractor is broken or not. The gun I am told is original and has all parts in tact including 1 magazine.

Here is the kicker: The original serial number was removed for reasons unknown (chuckle). The RCMP assigned a new serial number at a time unknown to me at this time, and it is currently inscribed on the pistol.

Here are the inscriptions:

PATENTED APRIL 20 1897 , SEPT 9 1902, DEC 19 1905, FEB 14 1911, AUGUST 19 1913, COLTS PTFA MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA
No 282###
MODEL OF 1911 US ARMY

I am wondering what the value of this pistol is?

http://s1169.photobucket.com/user/astuart44/library/WWI%201911


Thanks,

Andy

 

[yohann160]

Can you show a picture of the magazine? The correct magazine for that period would be 2 tone with lanyard loop. What happened to the serial number? It was etched out?

PS:

Does the frame say Model 1911 or US Property on it?

 

[Skinny 1950]

Here are the pictures;

 

[astuart44]

trying to get magazine pics and as far as I can tell the serial was buffed out

 

[yohann160]

Well in that condition it might be worth 1K.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

I'll give you $100 and pay the shipping. ;-) There is a thread on here with some details on a block of Colt M1911 pistols bought by the Canadian Army for WWI.

Regardless of the provenance, what you have is very likely an untouched pre-war M1911. I see old style grips, a spur hammer and a flat backstrap. I'd be concerned about the quality of the finish under the grime. You can't put patina back after all the years.

 

[maxman1]

Did someone take a wire brush to it?

 

[NAA]

More than likely the US Property stamp & serial number got removed when it was 'liberated' from the US military to attempt to conceal it's origin.

Would be interesting to see if it still has an inspector's proof on the frame between the mag release button & where the bottom of the slide stop rests. I'm betting if it does it will look something like a little birds head [Eagle proof] with an "S" under it and a number next to the "S".

Better pics might help, too.


-----------
NAA.

 

[Garand]

Where is the location of the "Colt" on the slide. Pictures of the slide don't give any details.