Black Army 1911

[ltcboy]

Hi guys-

I am more into the M1 Garands, I have a Remington Rand 1911A1 wich is real sweet. However, I always wanted to get a real WWI era 1911. I found this on Gunbroker. I am a novice to the 1911 history, and I would like your opinion on my new found toy. There was something about this pistol that made me snatch it up. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance-

MIke


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=97681491

[Mark Hitchcock]

The slide is from an earlier production, prior to Mid 1918. The pony should be in the middle of the patent info. I looked at the gun as well, but it is mismatched. It can be corrected, as the parts you have are equal in value to the parts you need.

[texagun]

There was one on thehighroad this morning for $1250. The guy said 3 dealers had looked at it and it was all original. The pics looked good. The guy was in California. It probably won't last long.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=359054

[bgiven]

However, I always wanted to get a real WWI era 1911.

Mike..... If you check your serial number, I think you bought a M1911 that was produced after WWI, in 1919.

[ltcboy]

The slide is from an earlier production, prior to Mid 1918. The pony should be in the middle of the patent info. I looked at the gun as well, but it is mismatched. It can be corrected, as the parts you have are equal in value to the parts you need.

I have had the pistol now for about a week. I have detail stripped it and cleaned and oiled her up. I wanted to say something about the tightness of this pistol. The slide really doesnt have any wiggle or play whatsoever on the frame. NOw, I realize that the above post mentioned that the slide, being a rear pony Colt, is incorrect for the serial number of this pistol. Heres the thing, when you look at the pistol really good, the patina onthe slide & frame virtually are an identical match. There is no way that this could have been a parts gun and slapped together.

Could the slide have been replaced on like a comapny level during the war? I am not going to alter the pistol at all.

Here is a pic of the finish that I am tlaking about..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Ltcboy/Colt%20Black%20Army%201911/1911BlackArmy001.jpg

Check out the left grip. Those markings have to be there for a reason, and only one can imagine.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Ltcboy/Colt%20Black%20Army%201911/1911BlackArmy002.jpg


MIke

[Scott Gahimer]

Mike:
It's been more than 60 years since WWII ended. It's been about 90 years since WWI ended. The slide could have been put on by anyone since the pistol left military service. Rust, corrosion, patina (whatever we choose to call it) can develop in a relatively short period of time with improper care. Improper care and storage will turn a 1911 into a boat anchor within a year in some climates.
I agree with you on the grips...One can only imagine what those marks mean. Same holds true on the grips. Those marks might have been applied by anyone for any reason. They might have been put there just for the sake of conversation.
Once pistols have been altered and their known history is lost, it's all just speculation. We can look at the individual parts and determine what might have been original, and often what isn't. We know the slide and barrel are not original to the pistol when it left the factory. Any other parts, including grips, may have been changed as well. It's nearly impossible to tell without a firsthand inspection.
It is not my intent to dampen your spirits about your new purchase. For your first M1911, you certainly could have done a lot worse. But as you begin to collect these pistols, you will discover what the realities are about them and what all the hype and speculation is.