1918 A possible Lend Lease? BATFE import issue

[shyquestor]

Hi. New here and hope someone can help... :o

I am attempting to import a 1911 Colt SN 383119 manufactured 1918 from Germany to US. BATFE has informed my import agent that this is a Lend Lease item and cannot be imported. The BATFE has also identified this as a Model 1911A1, not a 1911. So both the seller and I believe they are completely incorrect.

I have seen data that suggests that all Lend Lease 1911s (whether 1911 or 1911A1) had an alpha character preceeding the actual SN.

I have written to Colt regarding initial issue data, but no response after several months.

Can anyone help in the area of what 1911s were Lend Lease and point me to a source that can validate that the item I am attempting to import is not in this category?

Thanks in advance,
SHY

[pa_guns]

Hi

Welcome!!

I suspect there is some way to ask them to back up their claim with data. The examiners on these things are a very mixed bag. Some are *very* knowledgeable about this stuff, many are not.

Clawson probably is a good place to start.

Bob

[shyquestor]

Hi

Welcome!!

I suspect there is some way to ask them to back up their claim with data. The examiners on these things are a very mixed bag. Some are *very* knowledgeable about this stuff, many are not.

Clawson probably is a good place to start.

Bob

Bob, thanks for the quick response. Could you please provide some additional information on your reference to "Clawson"? Is this a reference guide/author/expert authority or someone at BATFE who is more knowledgeable re. 1911 and Lend Lease.

(BTW, I am in South Hills of Pittsburgh. I know you are a bit away, but at lease in the same state.)

TIA
SHY

[pa_guns]

Hi

The standard reference books on the 1911 were written by Charles W Clawson.

Here's an Amazon link to one of them:

http://www.amazon.com/Collectors-Guide-Colt-Service-Pistols/dp/0963397184

They are standard enough that a reference to them should stand up pretty well.

Bob

[shyquestor]

Hi

The standard reference books on the 1911 were written by Charles W Clawson.

Here's an Amazon link to one of them:

http://www.amazon.com/Collectors-Guide-Colt-Service-Pistols/dp/0963397184

They are standard enough that a reference to them should stand up pretty well.

Bob
Bob--thanks again for the direction. I am mostly a Mosin Nagant collector and my MN reference book is written by the individual who I am importing through--Karl Heinz Wrobel, author of "Drei Linien Die Gewehre Mosin-Nagant".

FWIW, here is a pic of the item in question>>>

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee56/shyquestor/Colt1911rechtsNummerk.jpg

[Scott Gahimer]

The amazon.com link provided is for an older 2nd edition Clawson book. The latest 3rd edition has 16 more pages of new and updated information. I'd recommend the 3rd edition with 146 pages to anyone considering a purchase.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Listen to Scott, he knows what he's talking about. I just grabbed the first Amazon link that looked close. :D

One thing to check - the exporter should have supplied a letter to the ATF describing the pistol. Hopefully you have a copy. You might take a look and see if the letter has an extra digit in the serial number ....

Bob