Need some info about a 1943 Colt GI 1911A1

[JustinTime]

The trigger, I know they were short adjustable triggers; but, were they checkered or serrated style?

The thumb safety, were they the small military button syle typically found on earlier GI pistols or were they the tear shaped newer style safties?

Was slide stop checkered like the earlier ones or are they serrated.

The rear of the hammer is supposed to be checkered as well; right?

[OD*]

I know they were short adjustable triggers
No sir, they were non-adjustable and checkered .

The thumb safety, were they the small military button syle typically found on earlier GI pistols
Yes sir.

Was slide stop checkered like the earlier ones or are they serrated
Colt started producing serrated slide stops around serial 1,670,000, but continued to used checkered thumb safeties throughout production of the M1911A1s.

[JustinTime]

Oh, I must have misunderstood you before about the triggers. Anyhow I'll have the pistol on thursday. I'll take a photo after acquisition.

[OD*]

Oh, I must have misunderstood you before about the triggers. Anyhow I'll have the pistol on thursday. I'll take a photo after acquisition.
No sir, that was my fault, your question was supposed to be in quotations with my reply under it, it appears I forgot to click on the quotation icon. Sorry about that amigo. :o

[clughog]

Justin, check out this web page: http://www.coolgunsite.com/. It's got a lot of stuff under the I.D. tab plus pictures! Hope this helps. Check out those serial number pages as well. I LOVE these old WWII pistols!

[JustinTime]

According to the info I found there this is a 1944 USGI. According to the barrel info my Colt appears to have a High Standard barrel in it. Did the maufacturer's do parts swapping in order keep up with the war effort? Or in other words could the high standard barrel my Colt has in it be original?

[OD*]

Justin, does your pistol have any of the arsenal stamps on it?

[JustinTime]

Justin, does your pistol have any of the arsenal stamps on it?

I looked for arsenal stamps and I couldn't find any. I'll take some potos of it later Dan. Creighton, did you see any arsenal stamps on it?

[clughog]

I looked for arsenal stamps and I couldn't find any. I'll take some potos of it later Dan. Creighton, did you see any arsenal stamps on it?Don't recall seeing any arsenal stamps...just the inspector's initials (GHD), and the "P" on the frame and top of the slide. Can't think of anything else. It is one beautiful pistol, though!

[OD*]

Good deal, pictures would help.

[JustinTime]

Here are some pics. They aren't my usual quality. Not enough light.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI018.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI027.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI020.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI021.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI035.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI036.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI029.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI022.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI006.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI011.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/1944USGI023.jpg

Hope these help.

[OD*]

Pics aren't bad, Justin.

The trigger will need replaced as well as the slide stop.
It is a '44 right? If it's a '43 you'll need the checkered MSH. Pull the firing pin stop, see if the serial (partial) is stamp on the slide.

[clughog]

That is a great looking pistol. Justin, those pictures are nice! OD*, it looks even better in person than in the pictures--in the natural light, the finish blends better and you don't see as much dark/light contrast. I'm pretty much convinced that it's a 1944 model and the ribbed MSH is correct.

[OD*]

Thanks Creighton.

How does the slide stop looks in relation to the pistol?
Serrated stops were approved for use in '43 around serial 1,670,000, it could be original too. What is the serial number range on Justin's USGI?

[JustinTime]

Thanks Creighton.

How does the slide stop looks in relation to the pistol?
Serrated stops were approved for use in '43 around serial 1,670,000, it could be original too. What is the serial number range on Justin's USGI?


Slide stop may not be original. The serial # is 1,197,65x

I just bought this for it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=68146571

[exitwounds]

Slide stop may not be original. The serial # is 1,197,65x

I just bought this for it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=68146571

That type of trigger was produced by Yawman Metal Products Inc. of Rochester, NY and Colt began using them in April of 1944 after their supply of milled triggers was exhausted around serial number 1.2m. Your pistol is very close to that transition (shipped on April 1, 1944). The serrated slide stop was introduced in October of 1944, somewhere in the late 1.6m range. I would say it is not original, a milled trigger could possibly be correct too due to the closeness of the transition to the stamped trigger assemblies.

[clughog]

The more I looked at that pistol, the more fascinated I was with it. If only it could tell its story! Something about this gun that intrigues me...not just the fact that it's a WWII pistol--more than that. Every little wear mark, nick, and slight blemish is a chronicle of an event. Oh, how I wish I knew! Anyway, I think it's great that you're putting it back to as original as you can, Justin!

[TattooPaul]

Pics aren't bad, Justin.

The trigger will need replaced as well as the slide stop.
It is a '44 right? If it's a '43 you'll need the checkered MSH. Pull the firing pin stop, see if the serial (partial) is stamp on the slide.



They did phase that stamping out in '43 between serials 1140000 and 1145000. They produced the guns out of sequence so it's not hard and fast but if your serial is below 1140000 it should be there and match the reciever if original.
Also, you'll want a checkered stamped (not milled) trigger which was adopted in Aug. of '42 though they used milled until inventory was used up.

[OD*]

They did phase that stamping out in '43 between serials 1140000 and 1145000. They produced the guns out of sequence so it's not hard and fast but if your serial is below 1140000 it should be there and match the reciever if original.
Which part are you talking about here Paul?

As for the trigger, I believe Hans is correct;
Colt began using them in April of 1944 after their supply of milled triggers was exhausted around serial number 1.2m. Your pistol is very close to that transition (shipped on April 1, 1944).

Colt began producing serrated slide stops intermittently in '44, October and mainspring housings weren't stamped, so I'm not clear on what you're referring to amigo?

[TattooPaul]

OD, I was referring to the stamping of the serial number on the slide behind the FPS... (pg. 102 of the smaller 2003 Clawson Service Pistol book - I just got a good deal on a "big book" but have not had time to dig thru it yet) According to Mr. Clawson it was started at #710001 and was discontinued in '43 between #1140000 and 1145000.

Also, did their stock of milled triggers last that long? I have seen several Colt's of late '43 vintage with the stamped ones while looking at shows and online before buying the one I now have. I know the other wartime manufacturer's used them earlier as they didn't have the stock of milled one's to use up. The stamped versions were officially adopted in Aug. '42 but obviously there were many milled one's to be used up. There's also a photo CD from Karl Karash that shows them starting to make their appearance in late '43.

Please understand that I'm not pretending to be nearly as well versed as others that post here. I know more than my shooting buddies but am a piker compared to most here. I did a lot of studying before buying my '43 and will share whatever I can and whatever I can find in the venerable Clawson books (which I trust much more than the web info I dig up). I will always defer to those that know better.

[OD*]

OK, I gotcha now, Paul. ;)

[JustinTime]

Here is a couple of pics for you guys.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/PapaandhisUSGI006.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/96vortechSS/PapaandhisUSGI007.jpg

Not bad for 93, huh?

[OD*]

Granddad looks pleased with his "new" Colt 1911A1.

Ya done good Justin.

[clughog]

Wow, Justin! That's awesome!

[JustinTime]

Granddad looks pleased with his "new" Colt 1911A1.

Ya done good Justin.

Thanks Dan.

[JustinTime]

Wow, Justin! That's awesome!

Thanks Creighton.

[TattooPaul]

Better make sure you stay on his good side now, Justin!!!

[JustinTime]

Better make sure you stay on his good side now, Justin!!!

Yeah, but that shouldn't be too hard.

[UC1911XSE]

Way to go Justin. Very nice piece of history.

[JustinTime]

Way to go Justin. Very nice piece of history.

Thank you very much.