View Full Version : Since bragging is encouraged here, have a look at my newest addition to the lineup.
1911_lover
2nd March 2006, 14:20
I stumbled upon this gorgous Series 70 model at a local gunshop Saturday. I worked a trade and picked it up Monday. Gunshop owner said it came from an estate sale that he bought last week.
It is in 95% shape and is tight as the bark on a tree. I cleaned and lubed it right off the bat and I like to have NEVER got the barrel bushing out. It has the older collet style bushing and those son of guns are tight!!!. I didn't have a barrel wrench and I damn near broke my finger trying to get that sucker off. :scared:
Have a look. Did I do good? I am real proud. :D :D :D
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/1911_lover/IMG_9274.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/1911_lover/IMG_9275.jpg
It has a strange relief cut on the adjustable sights that I have never seen before. I don't think it a factory cut. What do you think?
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/1911_lover/IMG_9276.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/1911_lover/IMG_9277.jpg
Have you ever seen a relief cut like this?
44 Man
2nd March 2006, 14:33
That is beautiful!!! You did very well indeed! Hint on the finger bushings; pull the slide back about an inch or so and they will usually turn much better. Yes that is a very neat installation on the rear sight, beautiful gun! How does she shoot? 44 Man
texas pete
2nd March 2006, 17:39
Very nice. Thats a reproduction, isn't it? The originals had smaller lettering, right?
Hunter
2nd March 2006, 17:48
WOW! What a beautiful Colt. I have not seen relief cuts like in your Colt but it is an interesting touch. Good job with the pictures as well. Did I mention that ia a beautiful Colt?
Beautiful Series 70!! Congratulations. By some coincidence, I found a Colt MKIV Series 70 Government Model last week that was "new in box, unfired, with manual" that was part of an estate.
Serial number is 70G042XX - places the date of manufacture in the last half of 1970 (1970 serial numbers last four were 1001 to 5550)
My experience was essentially the same - this is the tightest 1911 A1 I've ever seen. Now with some 400+ rounds through it and dissassembly and reassembly for cleaning three times, it is either very slightly loosened up or I'm getting tougher and better with experience. Went out and bought the bushing tool but haven't needed it since the first time! ;)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P2240006.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P2240002.jpg
Life is good!!! :)
:D :D
1911_lover
2nd March 2006, 18:33
Very nice. Thats a reproduction, isn't it? The originals had smaller lettering, right?
Not sure about the size of the lettering but I don't think mine is a reproduction. I believe it is a 70's model Series 70.
1911_lover
2nd March 2006, 18:35
Beautiful Series 70!! Congratulations. By some coincidence, I found a Colt MKIV Series 70 Government Model last week that was "new in box, unfired, with manual" that was part of an estate.
Serial number is 70G042XX - places the date of manufacture in the last half of 1970 (1970 serial numbers last four were 1001 to 5550)
My experience was essentially the same - this is the tightest 1911 A1 I've ever seen. Now with some 400+ rounds through it and dissassembly and reassembly for cleaning three times, it is either very slightly loosened up or I'm getting tougher and better with experience. Went out and bought the bushing tool but haven't needed it since the first time! ;)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P2240006.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P2240002.jpg
Life is good!!! :)
:D :D
Looks like we have the same model. Is the lettering on the left side of your frame shallow? Mine is. That's the only negative I can see about mine. The lettering is so shallow where it says "70 seires" that you can barely read the 7 and the 0.
Doesn't someone offer laser engraving that can rescribe the lettering on the slide?
1911_lover,
Yes, the engraving is very shallow. Thought this list of serial numbers for the original MKIV Series 70 Government Models might be of interest to you. after 1981, Colt went to the Series 80.
During 1970 the change to the new series "70" begins and serial numbers changed also.
S/N 70G01001 to 70G05550 1970 4550
S/N 70G05551 to 70G18000 1971 12,450
S/N 70G18001 to 70G34400 1972 16,400
S/N 70G34401 to 70G43000 1973 8600
S/N 70G43001 to 70G73000 1974 30,000
S/N 70G73001 to 70G88900 1975 15,900
S/N 70G88901 to 70G99999 1976 11,099
During 1976 a range change of serial number begins.
S/N 01001G70 to 13900G70 1976 12,900
S/N 13901G70 to 45199G70 1977 31,299
S/N 45200G70 to 89185G70 1978 43,986
S/N 89186G70 to 99999G70 1979 10,813
During 1979 a range change of serial numbers begins on March 20, 1979.
S/N 01000B70 to 30008B70 1979 29,008
S/N 30009B70 to 72989B70 1980 42,981
S/N 72990B70 to 99999B70 1981 27,009
During 1981 a range change of serial numbers begins on Oct. 17, 1981.
S/N 70B00001 to 70B11246 1981
11,246
:) :D :D
Joni Lynn
2nd March 2006, 18:59
Colt used both small and large lettering on the series 70. I had a couple that way. I wish I had kept them as well.
You probably already know this, but that appears to be a Millett rear sight.
Nice gun! Good pics!
1911_lover
2nd March 2006, 19:04
1911_lover,
Thought this list of serial numbers for the original MKIV Series 70 Government Models might be of interest to you. after 1981, Colt went to the Series 80.
During 1970 the change to the new series "70" begins and serial numbers changed also.
S/N 70G73001 to 70G88900 1975 15,900
:) :D :D
That's GREAT info kmast!!! Thanks. This info indicates mine was made in 1975. I was 9 years old!!! kewl :D :D
I have a series 70 nickel commander too:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/1911_lover/ColtCommander.jpg
I can't find my seriel number on this list. It starts with 70SC29899. Any info on when it was made?
1911_lover
2nd March 2006, 19:06
oops! sorry, didn't realize that picture was sooooo BIG!!. Guess I need to resize it. sorry guys.........
I can't find my seriel number on this list. It starts with 70SC29899. Any info on when it was made?
Yes - 1974. :)
:D :D
marr1257
2nd March 2006, 20:39
hey kmastf, i also have a ser 70 i think i read somewhere ser 70's were made till 83or 84 my ser 70B192xx is later than what you posted for 81 ser #'s its looks like the others pictured so i dont think its anything special other than it's more special to me ha ha any follow ups :o
Hajah Momenem
2nd March 2006, 21:45
Gotta tell it....I got the barrel bushing off my S70 GC that has been hibernating for 30 years or so(THANKS!!!! to the kind souls on this forum for my continuing education,most recently the lesson of pushing the slide back an inch or so(with a Gold Cup-type "collet" or "fingers-bushing");just enough for the bushing to clear the "swollen" distal portion of the barrel; /after routinely stripping my S80 lightweight Officer's(loose as a goose compared to the Gold Cup) I admit the GC had me stumped(I lost my genuine-original instruction booklette that came with it:( Another pearl of wisdom was the advice I got about using a non-marring bushing tool. I used a plastic one that looks like it is a key-chain fob. They look like they'd be easy to make yourself a few.
I am pretty much just doing basic field stripping;but I did get all the tool-marks off the slide of the Officer's(I even polished the slide rails to "mirror" with a hard Arkansas stone. Evidently I didn't remove too much anywhere(I used some Dykem-type stuff for coloration to show me exactly when it was completely flat);took the tool marks and mirror polished the breech face too. I've never done ANY work on pistols before;but from working on refretting guitars and mandolins I didn't feel I was removing too much metal. It still shoots any .45ACP configuration I've ever put in it(I even mixed up a few magazines with some old Black Talons,Gold Dots,Hardballs,etc.
***I polished the frame feed-ramp on the Officer. It really "mirrored-out" nice! Is the frame feed-ramp on an Officer made of the same aluminum(?) as the rest of the frame???***
My very best regards and big THANKS to M-1911 Forum!
KB Warwulf
hey kmastf, i also have a ser 70 i think i read somewhere ser 70's were made till 83or 84 my ser 70B192xx is later than what you posted for 81 ser #'s its looks like the others pictured so i dont think its anything special other than it's more special to me ha ha any follow ups
I dunno about that particular number but, it's close to these. You can check it out at:
http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm
During 1981 a range change of serial numbers begins on Oct. 17, 1981.
S/N 70B00001 to 70B11246 1981 11,246
Hope this is helpful.
:D :D
Mystro
3rd March 2006, 00:09
Man - you guys have ALL the luck!
I've been cruising gun shops in my area for over a year and I can't find anything even close to either of your new pistols!
They are gorgeous!
Very nice. Thats a reproduction, isn't it? The originals had smaller lettering, right?
They had several styles over the years, the reissues are small script.
John
3rd March 2006, 03:59
It has a strange relief cut on the adjustable sights that I have never seen before. I don't think it a factory cut. What do you think?
Have you ever seen a relief cut like this?
Neither the relief cut not the sight are original. The sight, I think is Millett and the relief cut was something gunsmiths did with this sight, if they knew their business.
1911_lover
3rd March 2006, 13:36
Man - you guys have ALL the luck!
I've been cruising gun shops in my area for over a year and I can't find anything even close to either of your new pistols!
They are gorgeous!
Speaking of luck, I continue to hear of people that run up on estate sales and they buy gun collections that have some of the finest pieces. They get really great deals on them.
I wish I knew when these estate sales were happening.
Dr. Dickie
3rd March 2006, 14:05
Speaking of luck, I continue to hear of people that run up on estate sales and they buy gun collections that have some of the finest pieces. They get really great deals on them.
I wish I knew when these estate sales were happening.
I have picked up on the same thing. I will be checking the newspapers for estate sales--can also do that throuhg the internet.
Though, I just won a 1991A1 Commander in SS for $525 on auction arms (excellent condition) and a Series 70 (or pre-Series 80) combat commander in SS on gunbroker for $600 in very good condition. I did not expect to win either (that is why I ended up with both), as I only put in minimum bid.
Also, got a LNIB Springer GI .45 for $400 from my gun guy (it was his and had less than 100 rounds through it). The SA was one of the early ones that comes with brown plastic stocks like it should. Heck I already ordered a pair off of e-bay before I knew this one already had them.
Good golly, I suddently find myself gun rich and very poor. Gotta start saving my pennies for any estate sales. :D
1911_lover
3rd March 2006, 14:17
I have picked up on the same thing. I will be checking the newspapers for estate sales--can also do that throuhg the internet.
Though, I just won a 1991A1 Commander in SS for $525 on auction arms (excellent condition) and a Series 70 (or pre-Series 80) combat commander in SS on gunbroker for $600 in very good condition. I did not expect to win either (that is why I ended up with both), as I only put in minimum bid.
Also, got a LNIB Springer GI .45 for $400 from my gun guy (it was his and had less than 100 rounds through it). The SA was one of the early ones that comes with brown plastic stocks like it should. Heck I already ordered a pair off of e-bay before I knew this one already had them.
Good golly, I suddently find myself gun rich and very poor. Gotta start saving my pennies for any estate sales. :D
Dang that's $1525 in the last month!!! :scared: You must be loaded !! :D Wish I had that kinda dough to spend!!!
Post pics when you get um'
Dr. Dickie
3rd March 2006, 16:13
Dang that's $1525 in the last month!!! :scared: You must be loaded !! :D Wish I had that kinda dough to spend!!!
Post pics when you get um'
Month nothing, that was three days!!
Heck, I wish I had that kinda money too ;)
It was not competely unexpected (I was expecting to get the GI for more).
I really did not even need the 1991A1 SS, but I bid, so I had to honor my commitment.
Knowing the way things go in my life, that pistol will end up being my favorite :D
RickB
3rd March 2006, 18:08
***I polished the frame feed-ramp on the Officer. It really "mirrored-out" nice! Is the frame feed-ramp on an Officer made of the same aluminum(?) as the rest of the frame???***
My very best regards and big THANKS to M-1911 Forum!
KB Warwulf
You should not polish the aluminum feed ramp of a lightweight frame. There is a "hard anodized" coating that protects the relatively soft aluminum underneath. Polishing off the anodizing will probably limit you to shooting only roundnosed ammo, as hollowpoints will chew it up in short order. I had a Star PD that had been polished, and I found Silvertips to be less damaging than other brands.
It has a strange relief cut on the adjustable sights that I have never seen before. I don't think it a factory cut. What do you think?
Have you ever seen a relief cut like this?[/QUOTE]
I have seen these relief cuts on an Millett advertizement picture for their Model 100 sights (the one you have). I suppose this was made to match it.
Red
1911_lover
3rd March 2006, 23:44
I really did not even need the 1991A1 SS, but I bid, so I had to honor my commitment.
I DO need it!!! (not really but some say I have this problem--1911 addiction). I would be willing to take it off your hands.......How does $50 down payment and $50 whenever you can catch me sound? :D :D
Dr. Dickie
5th March 2006, 05:58
I DO need it!!! (not really but some say I have this problem--1911 addiction). I would be willing to take it off your hands.......How does $50 down payment and $50 whenever you can catch me sound? :D :D
LOL :p
Like I said, it will likely be my favorite. Even more so now that the Colt bite on the back of my hand is starting to become a premant mark (the 1991A1 Commander has a beavertail).
I wanted (needed!) a SS for IDPA (to lessen holster wear on the beautiful blue). Now I have a pair!
No more money on guns for awhile, I now gotta get this re-loading thing working (I do not know what I am doing wrong).
Pictures later this week when they come in.
P.S. as a fellow addict, I can tell you: It is not the number of Colts you have that lessens the desire for another, only the LACK of numbers in your bank account! :scared:
Hersh
5th March 2006, 09:54
I stumbled upon this gorgous Series 70 model at a local gunshop Saturday.
Beautiful Colt and great pics !!! You have muchos camera skill !
Bowman1
5th March 2006, 10:59
Not only do you have some beautiful guns, but your photographs of them are simply outstanding! Very well done.
1911_lover
5th March 2006, 12:12
Beautiful Colt and great pics !!! You have muchos camera skill !
Thanks but I can't take all the credit. Digital film allows you to make mistakes and just delete them so noone else knows. :D
I wish targets at the range were that forgiving!!! :D
littledoc
5th March 2006, 15:13
Thanks but I can't take all the credit. Digital film allows you to make mistakes and just delete them so noone else knows. :D
I wish targets at the range were that forgiving!!! :D
Leave your jacket open when you get to the stand and nonchalantly fold the target and hide it in your jacket. Or, fire one round into the target and purposely miss the target with the rest. People will be amazed with your one hole group. ;)
Tomorrow's lesson will be how to sneak a new gun in the house without getting caught. These are some of the things those high priced shootin' schools don't teach you. :D
Dr. Dickie
6th March 2006, 08:25
Tomorrow's lesson will be how to sneak a new gun in the house without getting caught. These are some of the things those high priced shootin' schools don't teach you. :D
He he he :p
I get home from work about 2 hours before the wife. If she knew what came in the door some days, I likely would be going out it! :(
Once in the safe, they all look the same to her (bless her heart) ;)
Now I just have to convince her, I ALWAYS had that SS pistol :D
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