Colt 1911?

[Chris Chaney]

I just bought this gun at a gunshow, and cant figure out what it is. The slide has been refinished and most of the writing isn't readable, I can make out "SIST. COLT CAL." and the serial number 108790 written on slide twice the barrel once and just above the trigger.

There is writing you need a magnifying glass to read to the right of the clip release button, 2 letters i cant read and then "FNT FARM CT".

I looked up the serial number and its sayin its from 1915 but it doesn't look like those guns it looks almost identical to this that Rrotz posted, but the writing looks different.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/119310.jpg

Was wondering if it was a cheap reproduction is all, thanks for any help.

[Hawkmoon]

Sounds like you have a Sistema (Argentine) 1911. They were made under license from Colt, I believe on machinery supplied by Colt, and were high quality.

Do a search on the term Sistema and see what you find. You've got a nice piece there. Too bad it has been refinished, though.

You can start reading here. I see a couple of threads discussing Sistemas:

http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=83

[Chris Chaney]

Thanks for the info hawkmoon. I was completely lost as to what it was, I used to live in argentina, strange that i accidently bought a gun from there while in oklahoma.

[RandyColt]

I used to see Argentine 45's around all the time for $125 - $150 or so, some pretty nice ones too. Like everything else they have gotten scarce and the prices have gone up. Last summer at a gun show I saw the nicest one I ever saw and the dealer wanted $695 for it. I thought that was a little much, but maybe not if some collector of 45 variations wanted a really good one. They were built in the late 20's to the 40's and were pretty good quality and the parts interchage with Colt's.