Probably another dumb question but why

[riptrack44]

is the pre 1947 Service Model Ace worth so much more and rarer than the pre 1947 commercial Ace? While the S/M is "US Government Property" (on most models), approx the same number were produced of commercial and S/M models. Did the government destroy most of their inventory or are they all in private collections?

[Scott Gahimer]

Most collector value is derived from supply and demand. Colt's discontinued the sale of the Ace pistol after they assembled the final pistols from parts on hand in 1947. I don't think Colt's would have discontinued a money-maker for them.

Many consider the SM Ace to be an advanced and improved design. The floating chamber was a new feature and attracted many buyers.

Many of the early blued SM Ace pistols are not marked in any way to indicate they were purchased by the Govt. While many were purchased by the Govt., many were not. On those not marked, it typically takes a factory letter to know for sure.

There are only about 10 known blued SM Ace pistols that are actually marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY". The one I have that is, and the others I've seen that are, are all W.B. final inspected also. Those specifc SM Ace pistols tend to fetch a big price. About 4-5 years ago, a boxed SM Ace with the USP mark and a factory letter showing it shipped to the Navy brought $18,400 at an auction I attended ($16K plus 15% buyer's premium).

Some late production Parkerized SM Ace pistols with the J.S.B. final inspection command a little premium, too. The .45acp J.S.B. pistols are about impossible to find (about 15 known), so I suppose the .22 SM Ace pistols are as close as some will ever come to owning a J.S.B. M1911A1.

High prices? I guess they all sell for whatever someone will pay. If you figure out how to buy nice original pistols cheaper...please let us know your secret.;)

As far as where the SM Aces are...I don't know. Those I own and have owned in the past were all purchased out of other collections. Some may have been destroyed with other pistols, but I don't know of any records to indicate how many. I just know nice Ace and SM Ace pistols are tough to find. I usually buy them when I find one.

[riptrack44]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this matter.