1918 nickel 1911, and some questions

[Can'tShootStraight]

New to the forum and the 1911 bug has bitten me. I purchased a Combat Elite a month ago and love it. Today at a local gun show I purchased what's supposed to be a nickel plated 1918 era 1911.

I'd love some feedback on the gun as to how accurate the gun show claim is. I'm sure it's a heavily restored version of the 1918 gun with possibly new parts? Any input or advice would be apprecaited.

Also, is there anything special to do to take care of nickel plating on a gun? Asking around at the gun show I heard that you do nothing special other than wipe it down, and someone else suggested using Flitz polish on it. Is there anything that you do in the course of maintaing a normal handgun, that's bad for nickel plating?

Thanks.

Here's the gun:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg1/CantShootStraight/DSC_0006-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg1/CantShootStraight/DSC_0008-1.jpg

[OD*]

I doubt it's factory, but it is dang good looking. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[d90king]

Welcome to the forum. Not sure I remember seeing one like that before. Maybe someone else might be along who can help.

[Jim Watson]

Proofhouse.com says C26508 (Is that right?) was made in 1915. Doubt it came in nickel plate but that is sure a nice job of plating and a good looking gun.

I would not use Fitz on it, even if ever so slightly abrasive, it would still wear the plate. We are warned not to leave ammoniacal solvents even as mild as Hoppes on plated guns because any flaw in the plating will let the ammonia attack the copper layer under the nickel. I use M-Pro 7 for most cleaning, it is a detergent rather than a solvent.

[Can'tShootStraight]

Proofhouse.com says C26508 (Is that right?) was made in 1915. Doubt it came in nickel plate but that is sure a nice job of plating and a good looking gun.
It's C28303, but close enough (blame 800x600 pics) :) I'm sure the nickel plating came recently and it was a nice job, which is why I purchased it.

I would not use Fitz on it, even if ever so slightly abrasive, it would still wear the plate. We are warned not to leave ammoniacal solvents even as mild as Hoppes on plated guns because any flaw in the plating will let the ammonia attack the copper layer under the nickel. I use M-Pro 7 for most cleaning, it is a detergent rather than a solvent.
Thanks. I agree. I used Hoppes #9 on the inside of the barrel and to clean some of the inside of the gun. I oiled and cleaned everything with Hoppes Elite Oil, then wiped it down with a silicon cloth.

Taking it to the range tomorrow to see how it shoots.

[RickB]

That is about the nicest (non-original?) nickeled 1911 I've seen. Not all overbuffed and rounded-off like most.

[wichaka]

Yep, I second what Rick said.......nice sharp roll marks too!

[Jim Watson]

Agreed. Although it will make the speculators want to strangle a kitten, it is a fine plating job that would cost a lot to duplicate and looks great.

[elijdub]

Proofhouse puts it as made in 1916 if i'm reading it right.
http://proofhouse.com/colt/(scroll down to Colt Semi-Auto pistols....link on 1911 Commercial)
Looks like it has all original (if not, "period correct") components other than the stocks and plating. Very nice lookin' restored Colt!

[OD*]

Year Starting Production Number
1916 C27600
1917 C75000

[jeff1124]

I have heard that hoppe's no. 9 can be hard on nickel finishes. I have also heard that Hoppe's has been reformulated to avoid that problem, but I cannot tell you when the reformulation took place. To be safe I use something else on my nickel guns!

[Hill]

I have heard that hoppe's no. 9 can be hard on nickel finishes. I have also heard that Hoppe's has been reformulated to avoid that problem, but I cannot tell you when the reformulation took place. To be safe I use something else on my nickel guns!

Oh Stopit! You don't even have any nickle guns.

[jeff1124]

HUH?! I have 2 actually!