Please check this out

[marineinfantry1973]

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=6955138


this is the address to a weapon on sale at auction arms.
Is the price acurate for this weapon?
The grips I thought are supposed to be checkered walnut to be original and they appear to be plastic.
The serial number is like in the 1 miilion area and that would make it like not 1943 right? Or no? Just curious.
The price seems like it is not right.
Any info would be cool.
Ron

[marineinfantry1973]

Also looks like 2 different finishes on the upper and lower receiver.
Accurate you think?
Ron

[CTDinMT]

Checkered walnut grips are correct to the WW1 1911's. USGI's in WWII had plastic grips.
I checked Proofhouse.com and it is a '43 SN#. As far as all matching slide/frame, you'll have to get better info from some of the USGI collectors on that. You may want to post this in the US Government pistols section of this forum, might get a faster answer.

[PZ93C]

It looks correct as far as parts go. Slide should not have a serial number under the firing pin stop.

Don't know if the slide and frame match or not. Doesn't look like it based on those photo's.

IMHO, it ain't worth the asking price.

Brian

[exitwounds]

Walnut stocks were gradually phased out somewhere around sn# 730000. The plastic type 2 Coltwood grips should be on that weapon, they will have strengthening ribs, wide rings around the screw holes, and mold numbers on them. The crossed cannon stamp should be after the finish, along with the GHD, and VP mark. The bullet ramp should also be bright and unfinished, but not polished. The slide and frame colors seem different shades, probably replaced, it is too late for a serial numbered slide. Serial number 1171788 is 1944 production (+/- 1155000-1208673).

[exitwounds]

Colt switched to stamped triggers sometime in 1944, not sure of the serial number range. Stamped trigger assemblies where adopted by the ordnance department in August of 1942. That one has a milled trigger, maybe one of the others will know for sure.

[marineinfantry1973]

Ok cool. I was just curious. Thought I may have learned a few things in here. I saw you mentioned the cross cannoned stamp. This is an inspection stamp right? I learned of this while researching my M1 carbine. Is this particular for only certain models of weapons or all military weapons and only those? I heard it called a cartouche or maybe its only a cartouche if its in a certain spot.
So, my next question is should my 1911 a1 have plastic or walnut grips? It was made in 1937 I believe and is serial # C186xxx. It is a commercial peice from what I understand. I would like to post a few pics on here and see what the experts think about the piece. IE.. Condition, originality ect.
Thanks

[exitwounds]

The "crossed cannons" is an Ordnance Dept. final inspection mark adopted in October of 1942. It was stamped on 1911A1 pistols on the right side of the frame to the top rear just behind the grip. It is found on all Ithaca, and Remington-Rand's. Colt started after about sn 830000. These were also found on other military weapons such as High Standard Model B's and USA Model HD pistols (found in about 5 different sizes). There may be other weapons. One of the others may be able to tell you more about your Commercial pistol.

[191145]

marineinfantry; Your 1937 Colt is not a M1911A1 - it's a commercial Government Model and had plain checkered walnut grips. Here's a nice 1934 from Sam Lisker's site.
http://www.coltautos.com/default.asp
Okay, when you get to the site, pick 1911 &1911A1 Government Models, then scroll down to the 1930s

[marineinfantry1973]

So what does that mean exactly? I thought it was a 1911a1. Is it a 1911 or just a government model. If I was to refer to it, what I refer to it as? What deems a weapon a 1911 or 1911a1?
What would you say about the condition and possible value?
Thanks

[marineinfantry1973]

Ok its not an "M" 1911a1, its a 1911a1 Government model. Ok. I also thought you seen a picture of it. I have em posted on the sight under fathers xmas gift.
I suppose I can write colt and for a small fee get some info on my specific weapon.
Well, the one I have is in really good shape. Should be worth some money. Not that I would sell it but was curious to its value.

[John]

marineinfantry; Your 1937 Colt is not a M1911A1 - it's a commercial Government Model and had plain checkered walnut grips. Here's a nice 1934 from Sam Lisker's site.
http://www.coltautos.com/default.asp
Okay, when you get to the site, pick 1911 &1911A1 Government Models, then scroll down to the 1930s
Please stop adding confusion. M1911A1 or M-1911A1 or 1911A1 are all describing the same pistol. It has nothing to do with commercial of military, it describes a certain version of the 1911 pistol, the ones with the changes done in 1924. MarineInfantry1973's 1937 Colt is for sure an M1911A1.

[marineinfantry1973]

I think Iv got it.
I think I had it allready I suppose but got confused.
1911 was when Colt first came out with the first Colt 1911. In 1924 some mods were made and it became the 1911a1 from then on.
There were Government models like mine and also weapons that were stamped US ARMY and sold or made for the US Military.
The government model was made for and sold to civilians and the military ones were strictly for the Army.
Is this accurate?
You have pre WW2 and Post. Depending on the year. Mine being pre (1937) and a Government Model and all are I believe stamped with a C before the serial number and then later on, 1950 the serial number 240228 were stamped with a C after the serial number that number being the first.
So at a first glance, with a governemt model one can tell if its pre 1950 or post.
Still learning about the military models. Somewhere shorlty after 1937 I belive the walnot grips were replaced with plastic. Not sure what year though.

[marineinfantry1973]

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/marin...m/ph//my_photos


ok, I am not sure how to post my pics directly to the thread. But the above link will show my weapon at my yahoo briefcase.
I am interested in any comments as well as pointer on how to post pics with my futere threads.
Thanks

[Scott Gahimer]

Just so we all understand.... a pistol produced for the commercial market by Colt is a Government Model, regardless of whether or not it has the 1924 improvements. These pistols will have a C prefix or suffix.

M1911 is a military model designation for military pistols shipped 1912 through 1919, and only refers to pistols produced under contract for the United States Government. Serial range is 1-629500.

M1911A1 is a military model pistol produced in either 1924, or 1937-1945. Serial range is 700001-2660318.

The military M1911 and M1911A1 pistols do NOT have a C prefix or suffix. They do have an No (o is underlined) or NO. serial number prefix before the serial number.

The military pistols produced in 1924 were originally designated the Improved Model of 1911. However, in 1926 the M1911A1 designation was approved and made retroactive to include all military pistols in the 700xxx serial range and after, which included the 1924 production military pistols.

Colt's specifically picked the name Government Model for their commercial series of pistols in order to boost interest and sales by promoting the idea that it was the same basic pistol that had been accepted by the military.

I know this is difficult some some to grasp. I hope this helps.

[marineinfantry1973]

Sounds good to me

[191145]

marineinfantry; Sounds to me like you now have a good grasp of what your pistol is. And like I and Scott said, it is not a M1911 or M1911A1 unless it has that stamped on it. Of course, in every functional way it is the same as the military issue. That being now understood, hopefully by all, the 'between-the-wars' commercials are very valuable and sought-after, so you no doubt have a valuable pistol in your '37 Government Model.

[OD*]

Excellent post Scott, thank you.