Help with a early US Goverment

[harleydog]

I had my hands on a early 1911 today. The pistol has 3 pattens stamped on the slide. The first date slips my mind 1909?? but the other 2 were 1911 and 1913

The slide is also stamped Model 1911 Army and Property of US Goverment

The serial number is 6 digit starting with 155XXX

A tag also exist that say Officer so and so carried this piece through WW1 and WW2. This pistol has been removed from the US Gov inventory and presented to Officer so and so. I have not see the tag but the search is on.

Not sure if the grips are original but they are simple wood double diamond checkered. The over all finish is 85% with no pitting. The finish looks a 90% with the naked eye but when I took the pixs some brown showed up in the pixs. So I am not sure if it is very light rust in the pours of the metal or just a bad lighting set up. The bore is bright with good rifleing. I will try to get some pix posted. In the mean time can someone give me ideas on the year and a ball park price?

[Scott Gahimer]

Is there a "C" in front of the serial number? Or is there an "No" prefix with the "o" being underlined?

[harleydog]

Scott,
There is no letter in front of the number. It Looks Like this: No 155xxx. I am not sure if the o was underlined.

[Scott Gahimer]

Well...the No should have the "o" underlined on it if it is a correct military serial number.

The serial number itself indicates a 1917 mfg. M1911 pistol. 90% in poor or standard room lighting doesn't equate to 90% finish. All the browning and patina that shows up in bright lights and in photos more accurately reflects how much finish remains.

Value depends on originality and condition. Without knowing the specifics of all the small parts, barrel and magazine, it is difficult to say how original the pistol may be. Condition? Based on your comments, it doesn't sound like 90%. I'd hate to wager a guess on such loose information.

Can you share some photos?

Value? If the serial number prefix isn't right (underlined o), it's hard to say if the serial number is original. If the number isn't original, the pistol is a liability and has no value IMO. If the prefix is correct and the pistol is all original otherwise, we're still guessing as far as condition goes. But, assuming the pistol rates about 60-70% finish, value might be as high as $1500, if all original.

I don't put much value on stories that come with the pistols unless there is some written official documentation that is undeniably authentic. Hand-written tags are questionable, at best.

More info on the "story" would be necessary to offer an opinion on it.