what does he have?

[rupnok]

Noob here w/some questions for those wiser than myself:

I'm new to pistols but have always loved the look/aura of the 1911. asked a friend if he had one I could try out. he hands me this and tells me that it belongs to a friend of his who moved away and left it for safekeeping.

I ran a box of FMJ 230gr through it without incident. it shoots (in my hand) as well as my modern S&W .357 6" revolver. I was smitten. I did a little research and realize that this is much older than my friend thinks.

I'd like to make him a fair offer for it. what would y'all pay for her?

Also, if you owned this, would you shoot it?

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/rupnok/1911L.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/rupnok/1911R.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/rupnok/cat2006.jpg

I can post more pics if this helps.

I appreciate your thoughts,

-C.

[72 Broncoman]

Here in the deep south where major military bases are everywhere comes pawnshops;military retiries;surplus store and colts are not considered scarce so pricing would I think would have a lot to do with your location. Its a nice colt and here top dollar would be around 55O/ 7OO. My main concern would be my (friend) who is loaning out someone elses pistol and is going to sell it. Sounds risky on your part you may wind up in a lot of trouble (felony) or worse;Could have at sometime been invovled in a very serious crime.Be careful!! The gun doesnt bother me just the circumstances that you described. If it checks out clean "go for it" it looks good.

[exitwounds]

It is a 1918 Colt model 1911. These pistols were much more fragile than pistols produced today, and are prone to stress cracking, peening, etc. Occasional shooting may not hurt, but is often not advised since if something breaks parts are hard to come by (the originals from that vintage). By the looks of the finish the frame seems to show more wear than the slide, grip safety, etc. A close hands on examination of wear patterns would be needed to determine if the two were originally paired together, looks like a parts pistol. It is interesting to note that the pistol has 13 rows of checkering on the right grip (can't see the left), it has been noted that those grips are appearing on alot of Colts of that vintage, and some have one grip that will have 15 rows (the normal for Colt grips). 13 row grips are found typically on REM-UMC pistols, but many collectors have noted that there seem to be a number of them found on Colts of that vintage. Some think there my have been a supplier/contractor making replacements for the military that were cut with 13 rows. The thought is that there are more 13 row grips out there than REM-UMC pistols produced that were produced, and since Springfield Armory produced more pistols than Rem-UMC, and their 11 row grips are not encountered as often. Another words many feel that the numbers just don't add up for them to be all of REM-UMC origin. Other than the concerns about the finish, originality of the slide/frame, and grips the pistol appears correct for the period. What barrel markings does it have? For that serial number the pistol should have a barrel with a P H stamp on the chamber hood, with the muzzle pointed upward the P should be over the H. If the pistol can be determined to be original it would likely bring $800 - $1200 in it's present condition, maybe more or less depending upon the region. If it is a parts gun $500 - $800.

[bgiven]

I can't imagine that frame and slide are original to each other.... IMHO.

[paul45]

Here in the deep south where major military bases are everywhere comes pawnshops;military retiries;surplus store and colts are not considered scarce so pricing would I think would have a lot to do with your location. Its a nice colt and here top dollar would be around 55O/ 7OO. My main concern would be my (friend) who is loaning out someone elses pistol and is going to sell it. Sounds risky on your part you may wind up in a lot of trouble (felony) or worse;Could have at sometime been invovled in a very serious crime.Be careful!! The gun doesnt bother me just the circumstances that you described. If it checks out clean "go for it" it looks good.Please let us know where you get WWI Colts, even mixmasters, for 550-700. I want in on that deal!!

[exitwounds]

I can't imagine that frame and slide are original to each other.... IMHO.

It certainly does not appear so, and resembles a parts gun, I will agree.

[swampertwo]

sights appear to be a 1911A1 rather than the nearly non-existant sights the 1911 came with. I can see those sights and can only see "bumps" on the 1911 slides.
I'd guess a 1911A1 slide on a 1911 frame.

[72 Broncoman]

Mr. Paul .45; Like I said Location,I'm close to Ft.Benning;Ft.Stewart:Ft.Rucker:Ft Gordon;Robbins Air Force Base; Plenty of 1911's around;Heck I've even bought some from the State of Georgia surplus auctions e.g (Dept. of Corrections). They are advertised regulary in classified also. You may spend a little on gas but it'll be worth your effort to search them out. Give it a try. Around here people would rather have deer rifles,(now those are expensive) here.

[exitwounds]

sights appear to be a 1911A1 rather than the nearly non-existant sights the 1911 came with. I can see those sights and can only see "bumps" on the 1911 slides.
I'd guess a 1911A1 slide on a 1911 frame.


:confused: The sights look original and consistent for a 1918 Colt.

[rupnok]

Hey, thanks for your thoughts, I appreciate them. yes, the barrel has the P over H, and a single L on the flange:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/rupnok/barellmark2.jpg

Since the slide seems to be the major question I was going to take some more photos but camera just went belly up, so I'll try to describe the markings inside the slide:

on the area of the slide that houses the firing pin there's some coarse elliptical machining and from breech end to hammer end three (maybe more) stamped letters: L, (A maybe)T, D.

again, many thanks. Broncoman, your point is well taken...

[72 Broncoman]

Rupnok; Please dont think i'm trying to rain on your parade put purchasing a gun is serious business.I had a close friend who purchased a gun for 150.00 and it wound up costing him over 9,000 ,with lawyers,lost work time , due to court dates constantly being changed not to mention a little cell time and as a Federal Agent(now retired) I could not help,only sit and watch.Nice pistol Hope you buy it and know you'll be proud.

[rupnok]

Broncoman, don't worry about raining on my parade, had the same thought you did, if you buy used you never really know where it's been...combined with the concerns that this may be a parts gun and that it might be fragile given its age (I want something to shoot regularly), I think I'll thank my friend for letting me try it and go get a kimber or a smith.

thanks all for helping me reach a decision I can be happy with. I'll pass on your comments to the owner.