look what drove up

[Irish Mick]

Gentlemen,
Yesterday my good friend drove up my dust road, and offered me a M1911A1. Now, I am new to the A1, all of my Colts are are M1911's.
Anyway it has a parkerized finish, and has wear on the top of the slide, and the muzzle consistant with holster wear. No rust, and the markings a execellent. I did not get the opprotunity to field strip it. The serial no. is ,9019XX. The inspectors initials are 'FS', and the last date on the slide is 1913.
Any information would assist me is deciding whether on not I want to pay $350.00 for it. thanks.

-The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

[Tom]

Man, I wish I had people just drive up and offer me guns. Even here in rural Alabama I haven't come across that.

[Irish Mick]

-Tom,
That's nothing. Last fall the same guy brought over a lovely RIA '03 made in 1919. A real tack driver she is. Also included with the M1911 is it's original GI issue shoulder holster.

-The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

[exitwounds]

Do you have a picture of the inspection mark? Possibly FJA? 9019xx is either a '43 Colt or '43 Ithaca. A Colt would have the inspectors mark G.H.D., and an Ithaca would have an FJA. There are no known FS inspectors. The pistol falls in a serial number range that was duplicated, so it is either a Colt or Ithaca. The slide is a Colt, but double check that frame. Either way you stoled the pistol for $350.

[Irish Mick]

-exitwounds,
I must admit, I looked at in the early evening and I am probably wrong about the inspectors mark. I tried to get him to stay awhile, but he is afraid of my road. We lost a UPS truck last summer during a Monsoon storm. I am heading to town in a few days ,and I will do a much more detailed inspection. Whether it's a Colt, or Ithica, it sure is nice.
As you know it is hard to find any M1911's that haven't been mucked with. My buddy said that the present owner carried it, so there is probably a history. More to come. Thanks.

-The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

[exitwounds]

If you can take some pictures and/or jot down as many details as you can such as the markings on the slide, frame, barrel, magazine, type of grips, type of finish, style of mainspring housing (checkered or serrated w/ number of ribs), etc. This will help us help you better.