What do I have here ?

[twg67]

This was a Christmas gift from my father who has had it since the 50's. I have done some research and found it was made in 1939. Haven"t found much more about it. Ser # is 715###. The numbers on the slide match the frame so I assume it is all original. What do you all estimate the value and condition to be ?( if you can tell from my poor photographic skills) Any other info you can provide me is greatly appreciated.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll258/twg67/015.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll258/twg67/016.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll258/twg67/017.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll258/twg67/018.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll258/twg67/019.jpg

[Axel]

It is worth a lot as you probably already know.

Just how much depends on originality and condition.

Do you know what markings are on the barrel including the bottom in front of the lug?

Any pits, dings or rust on the gun?

Original finish might be determined with better pictures.

I have seen nice refinished ones go for $3,500 with originals bringing much more.

Very nice gun. Thanks for posting.

[mayagrafix]

If it was a M1911 model, I would find the bluing more believable. However, I remember reading that before Parkerizing was adopted as the standard for USGI M1911A1 pistols in the early 1940's, some USGI A1's were delivered with the "oven-bluing" process in a coal-fired furnace amended with the dull finish. With a six digit serial #, yours might be one of those. The grips are not correct though.

Nice pistol. Thanks for posting pics :)

[1saxman]

If it was a M1911 model, I would find the bluing more believable. However, I remember reading that before Parkerizing was adopted as the standard for USGI M1911A1 pistols in the early 1940's, some USGI A1's were delivered with the "oven-bluing" process in a coal-fired furnace amended with the dull finish. With a six digit serial #, yours might be one of those. The grips are not correct though.

Nice pistol. Thanks for posting pics :)

They were all blued until the Parkerizing started. Full-checkered walnut grips were also furnished on the pre-war A1. It could be original. the pre-war M1911A1s are very desirable, particularly in nice shape.

[Axel]

From the new pictures it looks to me like an old reblue although I can not say for sure. On the last picture showing the back of the slide, it looks like old pitting under the blue.

It still has the brushed blue finish as it should.

The grips look correct to me.

Is the bullet ramp blued?

Still a very nice and valuable gun and a nice gift from your dad.

[RickB]

The grips look correct, to me. If it is a reblue, it's a very good one. All the edges appear extremely crisp, and that's usually the first thing to go.

[bgiven]

The grips are not correct though.

The grips are correct, 28 +/-1 row full checkered walnut for 1939 production.

[1saxman]

I picked up a re-blued '50s Government Model a few years ago, and since it had been polished and reblued at least once and had some weak markings, I got Bill Adair to give it a 'brushed blue' similar to the pre-war Colt M1911A1 and to enhance the markings. I even had a beautiful new set of checkered grips for it. It looked great like that but eventually I used different grips for more of the traditional Government Model look. Now it's probably my favorite pistol and gets lots of attention at the range. Here's the before/after:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb27/INLAND44/Guns/1953cx1.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb27/INLAND44/Guns/GM1953a1.jpg

[Scott Wilson]

The finish looks original. The spots on the rear of the slide do not appear to be pitting, only scattered surface rust. The grips are absolutely correct for that model.

[Scott Gahimer]

Welcome to the forum, Scott.

I think a good view of the top of the receiver might tell us more about the finish, too. The VP and factory final inspection look buffed to me. The slide stop top surface doesn't look flat to me. It appears to have rolled edges and doesn't look highly polished. Some additional detailed photos would help.

Here is a 1940 Colt Navy for comparison. Finish is essentially the same on a '39, I just already had this photo ready. Notice how flat and hi-polished the finishes on the slide stop and thumb safety are. The '39s were the same way.
http://i40.tinypic.com/bguudi.jpg