Help for gun history

[ahlora]

I own a 1911 Colt .45 with a serial number that ends in N70 (the serial no. is of 20,000's series) I've been told this gun once belong to a Mexican president. I am trying to find out if this is true setting the time the gun was made and by its marking. I believe the barrell has been replaced as it has the markings of "Colt .45 Auto N.M. MK IV / Series 70 ".

Do any one have any idea about the las part of the Serial Number (it is 23XXXN70)? Can anybody help me to find out if this is an original from the earlies 1900's? It suposedly was owned by a president between 1923 and 1929.

I uploaded some pictures of it so you can look at it:

http://alora.fotki.com/guns/colt-45/

I believe it can't be that old as it looks in pretty good conditions for a 80 years old gun.

If any one can tell me as well if this is a military edition or a comercial one I would appreciate your answers.

Thanks you all

[OD*]

Your pistol isn't a 1913, if it were, it's serial number would be prefixed with a C and C-23XXX would be from 1915.

What you have is a MKIV Series '70 made after 1978.

[John]

Did they make the Series 70 with angled cocking serrations back in 1978?

[Joni Lynn]

The gun in the pics is a series 70 Gold Cup of some variety. The wide trigger, angled serrations and rear sight give it away.

[elijdub]

Welcome to the forum ahlora!

Did they make the Series 70 with angled cocking serrations back in 1978?
I just learned from OD (who else? :D) that all the Gold Cups has angled cocking serrations.

[azreloader]

Neat piece, though. That "engraving" looks like it was acid etched. You can get ahold of COLT archive department and request a letter that will give you more information, for a fee of course.

[OD*]

Agustin,

Lynnie is correct, your pistol is a Gold Cup National Match (which is what the NM on your barrel stands for). I believe Azreloader is correct also, the "engraving" looks like acid etching to me also. Interesting piece amigo.

[Hunter]

I would reckon it was made after 1979 as I believe the N70 was a serial number prefix (instead of suffix) before 1980.

[wichaka]

The N in the serial number depicts National Match. It was made in 1983

[Hunter]

The GCNMs I have made before 1980 have a N70 prefix but the GCNMs I have made after 1979 have it as a suffix.

[ahlora]

Wow, I never spected so many answers in such short time! Thank you all for your help. I like the gun a lot, but when I got it as a gift they told me it belong to a former president of mexico (which now i know can't be truth due to time lines, the president I talk about died in 1945) But it is possible that maybe it came from someone in their family, maybe as a gift to remember their father or grandpa, as it has engraved the National simbol (only military officials have the posibility to do so).

I probably get it clean and try it out this weekend, I'll let you guys know how it handled (if im right a GCNM should have an awsome performance)

Any way, thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. I got a couple of other interesting pieces, I will post some pics of them to share with you. Have a great weekend.

[Joni Lynn]

If nothing else it's probably a one of a kind. Enjoy your range time!
If you plan to strip the gun down for cleaning, the sear may have a couple extra parts on it that are difficult to get back in. I'd suggest leaving the sear in the gun.

[dakota1911]

I would also guess the mods to the Gold Cup were not done by Colt. I would guess it did belong to someone important as I thought .45 ACP was restricted for the average citizen in Mexico, and one reason for the 38 Super.

[ahlora]

Yes indeed, .45 caliber is reserved for military use, as well as 9mm is also restricted to federal police. Most of my pieces with this caliber were left from my grandpa who use to be a militar. Joni Lynn, thanks for the tip, I'll be very careful stripping and cleaning my new baby.

Greetings to you all.

[OD*]

My apologies Agustin,

Welcome to the M1911.ORG web site.