Help identifying my 1911

[hutchster913]

I know you folks must get a lot of these; I just bought an M1911 A1 Colt. It is nickel plated with the engraving of "UNITED STATES PROPERTY M 1911 A1 US ARMY NO.1581598" The rubber grip says "Signature Model" with a couple of patent #'s after it. The rear site and the barrel both are branded "Micro" so I am assuming that these were after-market additions.

Is there anything that you might be able to tell me about this gun?

Thanks,

Hutchster913-Mark

[rondawg]

Photos would help, but it sounds like your typical WWII pistol that was sold cheap as surplus to the civilian market back in the '60's, then customized by one or more owners. Has no value as a collectible because of the plating, only as a shooter. Hope you didn't pay a lot for it.

Put up some photos though, and somebody here can tell you more by the s/n.

[Jim Watson]

The serial number falls in the range of Remngton Rand made 1911A1s in 1944. If the slide is marked Colt, then it is likely a "mixmaster" generated by Army overhaul where the only consideration was a functional gun with no consideration of matching parts.

Taken home or sold surplus, it was nickel plated by or for a vet or civilian owner; and target sights and commercial rubber grips installed.

Is the barrel or the barrel bushing marked Micro? Micro made sights and barrel bushings but I know of no barrels from them.

Friend of mine who shot a lot of different 1911s considered Rands to be of the best materials and the best shooters of USGI types in spite of them being made to the same official specs as Colt and other contractors.

That is about all it is good for any more.

[hutchster913]

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll11/hutchster913/gun.jpg

Thanks for the quick response. The slide does have Colt stamped on it and it is the barrel bushing that is a Micro, not the barrel.

Thanks,

Mark

[rondawg]

Sad. I liken it to taking a WWII Willys MB or Ford GPW Jeep and making a rock crawler out of it. But, it should still be a great hole-maker and a lot of fun! That's what counts at the end of the day. They can't all be collector's items.

[R-W]

Hutchster913,
Your grips are Pachmayr signature model. Enjoy your new purchase.

[elijdub]

Looks like a good shooter to me! Congrats!

[romer12]

regardless of color, and if a reasonable price, a shooter is a shooter......especially with adjustable sights