colt 1911 missing us property

[jim young]

I picked up this colt 1911 some years back for 350, it came with an original two tone mag. and a bunch of contract nam era mags.
The bbl is marked H P on top of breach and what could be or looks like 5 or s and a u or d underneath, the frame is eagle head and s12.


The us property on the frame has been removed, if you look strait on the end of the frame sides the one where the us property should be is a bit thinner.
The hammer is not original and has in some time been replaced.
Any thoughts on this gun and a value would be appreciated.

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/980/resized1kr1.jpg http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/6499/resized2ug1.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/9721/resize3kn4.jpg http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8715/resize4sj4.jpg

[bgiven]

Grips are not original either.... you have probably doubled your money at the very least.

[texagun]

Hi Jim,
Lots of the old WWI and WWII Colts had the "U.S Property" stamp removed to avoid any legal problems if caught with a gun "belonging to the government." I don't think it was ever a legal issue at all, but lots had that stamp removed. I have a 1918 1911 with the stamp removed, and it has a later Remington hammer in it, along with some aftermarket sights and grips, but I love it and plan to hang on to it. As to value, it would depend totally on the year it was manufactured, the originality of the gun, and the condition. Could be anywhere between $500 and $5000. Yours looks to be in pretty good condition. Some of the experts here could probably pin down a more accurate value if you could give more info on the piece, such as serial number and some more detailed pictures.

Here's a photo of mine with the "U.S. Property" stamp removed. I can't even tell by looking that it has been removed. Whoever did it, did a nice job.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/19181911LeftSide-2.jpg

[jim young]

serial no is 398xxx From what I can tell from the forum, it has an original mag and bbl. the grips are unmarked and I have no idea if original or not. Tex I totaly agree, althought not the way it came from the factory, I still like the gun, For what I paid for it I do not think it was a bad deal. It has that been there done that feel. Like an old vet who had a story to tell.

[texagun]

Your serial number is right for a 1918 gun.