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View Full Version : Got an old 1911. Need help IDing it...

Anonymous D
20th June 2009, 03:30
My grandfather recently gave me one of his old 1911s. He let me borrow it a while back to shoot it and make sure it was still working, and I ended up getting constant FTEs. So this past weekend he gave it to me and said if I fixed it, then it was mine.

I was doing some research and I am pretty sure the frame is a Colt. The Serial # is 5811XX. I also beleive the frame is a pre-WWII frame.

The slide is a US&S.

Heres some pictures for you guys.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/The_Green_GT/c0107ae8.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/The_Green_GT/27819da5.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/The_Green_GT/13036cb7.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/The_Green_GT/8af10ccf.jpg

Ive found another original GI barrel bushing for it, so Im waiting for that, my barrel bushing wrench, and some mags then I can take it all down and start seeing whats wrong with it.

So is the frame a pre-WWII Colt?
wichaka
20th June 2009, 04:32
The frame is a model 1911, not an A1 version...so it would make it a pre WW II model.

Could you take a better photo of the serial number, as the stampings will help to better ID the maker.
Also look on the other side of the frame around the trigger guard, and post pics of any stampings you find.
rekladan
20th June 2009, 04:46
It needs a bushing wrench to take it apart?

I'd say the extractor needs a look, if you intend to keep shooting it. Since it's clearly a well-used mixmaster, I guess shooting it is OK.

I think Cylinder & Slide make GI-spec spring steel extractors, if it comes to that.

Enjoy!
John
20th June 2009, 06:56
Slide: 1911A1 (post 1924)
Frame: 1911 (pre 1911)
Bushing: butchered
Grip safety: machined to match the frame's contour
Hammer: modern spur one

As Rekladan said, a perfect mix-master!
Richard Weed
20th June 2009, 10:09
The slide is a replacement made by Union Switch and Signal during WWII. The frame was made during WWI.
Johnny Peppers
20th June 2009, 10:49
5811XX 12/29/29 USMC - NICARAGUA (SHIPPED)

Quite a few of the 1911 pistols made after WWI ended up being shipped to Nicaragua with the U.S. Marines. Your Colt No.5811XX was made after WWI had ended, most likely in 1919.

It is painful just to think about shooting the pistol with the grip safety ground down. Quite a few of the US&S replacement slides were sold through the Shotgun News about 25 years back.
Anonymous D
20th June 2009, 13:32
It needs a bushing wrench to take it apart?

I'd say the extractor needs a look, if you intend to keep shooting it. Since it's clearly a well-used mixmaster, I guess shooting it is OK.

I think Cylinder & Slide make GI-spec spring steel extractors, if it comes to that.

Enjoy!
Yea, I the bushing is a match grade one, so I cant turn it by hand, and I dont want to put more marks on it like someone else already did. So I need to get a wrench for it.

Thanks for the info guys. Im about to leave for work, but Ill take some pics of the stampings on the frame when I get back.
rekladan
20th June 2009, 13:39
It has already been mentioned, but I can't help asking: doesn't this gun give you hammerbite in this configuration?
Anonymous D
20th June 2009, 20:40
I has already been mentioned, but I can't help asking: doesn't this gun give you hammerbite in this configuration?
Nope. I havent been able to shoot it much recently cause I dont have a mag, but last time I shot it, I never got pinched at all.