a friend found....

[Cap]

a friend of mine sold his home.
In the process of cleaning out the safe that stays with the house,
he found a pistol the he forgot was there.

It was given to his wife years and years ago by her grandfather and put away in the safe.

It's a Colt
also marked "US Government Property"
S# NO2289604

also says it's stamped "British Released 1952"

I haven't seen it yet, but when i do I'll take some pics of the proof marks
(I'm "guessing" they're different armorer proof marks by his description)


any info from what little info I've given would be appreciated.
Also any info of what to look for on it pertaining to collector value would be appreciated too

Thanks


..L.T.A.

[Johnny Peppers]

Your friend's pistol is a Colt 1911A1 manufactured in 1945, and from the markings you describe was Lend-Leased to England in the closing days of WWII. Most came back in virtually new and unissued condition.

[doubs43]

Your friend's pistol is a Colt 1911A1 manufactured in 1945, and from the markings you describe was Lend-Leased to England in the closing days of WWII. Most came back in virtually new and unissued condition.


Around 1960, Sam Cummings of Interarmco imported a large number of Lend Lease 1911A1 pistols from England and sold them through his "Ye Olde Hunter" outlet in Alexandria, VA. They were advertised in the American Rifleman magazine for $39.95 BRAND NEW! They had Colt, Ithica and Remington-Rand available. My father sent them a money order with a note that he wanted only a Colt or a return of his money. He got the Colt and it's still in the family although not mine. It arrived in the original factory brown box wrapped in the protective brown paper. It carries British Proofs although I don't recall which proof house tested it. The serial number is 1119781 and it's still 100% original although there is external finish wear. It's probably had fewer than 150 rounds through it total.

I've often wished I'd had the foresight to buy several of each and just kept them unfired.

[Johnny Peppers]

In the 1950's and 60's when all the surplus military arms were being brought in they were not all that collectible, so few thought about preserving them as future collectibles. Most were shot like any other pistol of the day, and many were modified for target shooting. The NRA even supplied guides on how to convert your military weapons to a target or hunting weapon. About the same time the NRA was selling military .45's through the DCM for $17.00.

[Cap]

Thanks guys

so what are they worth today?

I wouldn't mind having it

He says it's about 90% condition

..L.T.A.

[Duane Hansen]

I think we all have wished that we would have bought a bunch of Forty Fives way back then.
My Dad bought one in 1960 and I know he had trouble coming up with the extra money back then even if it was only $17.00

[jwenum]

These are the posts I hate."Remember when" such and such was this much?I was married and trying to feed the 3 little ones.$17.00,25.00--too much.To my everlasting regret!Oh well,when you get old, it's fun to "remember when".......(just hit the big '60'!!)

[bgiven]

so what are they worth today?

Pictures are required for any type of valuation.... otherwise it's kinda like getting a haircut over the phone....

[Scott Gahimer]

Value is based on originality, condition and variation. We need to see it to get anywhere close, because values are so high on a nice piece and so much lower on something that's not right.

[Cap]

here you go, Gents

this is just the way he found it.
no cleaning on it yet.
i did run some Hoppes down the barrel to swab it out.
No pitting

What do you think?
Thanks

.L.T.A.





http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0365.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0366.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0363.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0348.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0350.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0351.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0352.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0353.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0354.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0358.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0359.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/larycap/100_0360.jpg

[Cap]

PS...after cleaning a bit and lubing well, we shot appx 30rnds of some 800fps ball ammo

it ran flawlessly

..L.T.A.

[bgiven]

Your friend's pistol is a Colt 1911A1 manufactured in 1945, and from the markings you describe was Lend-Leased to England in the closing days of WWII. Most came back in virtually new and unissued condition.


Looks like Johnny nailed it. I believe this is what you have. Take a patch with some Hoppes on it and clean off the interior surface rust around the feed ramp area. Some more pictures of the box would help as well as I think it could be original to the gun.

Nice example.

[Scott Gahimer]

Looks good, despite the surface rust in a few places. I would carefully clean it up with a good CLP and a little bronze wool where needed. The point being to not have the pistol look like it has beened cleaned up. If necessary, leave a little browning, rather than to brighten and thin the finish.

May we have a few more pix of the box, inside and out all views please? Thanks.

I'd say finding that piece was like striking a gold mine.

[bgiven]

PS...after cleaning a bit and lubing well, we shot appx 30rnds of some 800fps ball ammo...it ran flawlessly ..L.T.A.


Uuuuh... Cap. I wouldn't advise shooting this example any more. Nope, she needs to be retired.

[Johnny Peppers]

The phosphate finish is a built up finish, so don't rub too hard or you will be down to bare metal and still have the rust.

[Cap]

thanks guys!

and dawggonnit, I knew that box was an important part of it too and forgot to take pics of it in detail.

here's what I recall.

The top is missing one of the short sides.
No markings that I recall anywhere else 'cept for the hand written serial number that shows in the pic.

The top of box lid has a piece of paper taped to it.
In typed print it says

Property of
her Grandfather's first and last name

I'll call him tomorrow and have him take a better look inside and out of the box


I offered him $650 cause it's old and had some rust on it :lh:

seriously, even though I know nothing about these, I told him I'm sure it has collector value after looking at it and suggested he not shoot it.

He doesn't know whether he wants to sell it or put it away.
(he doesn't need the money)
I told him they ain't making anymore and should only increase in value

if he does put it away, what's best to goop it up with to pack away for long term "stow it and forget about it ?

and lastly, in today's market, is he realistically looking at $2000, 3000, $4000?
Should he have it insured if he stows it?

Thanks again


..L.T.A.

[John]

Where is that ladder? I am going check the attic right now, you never know!!!

:lm:

What a find!!!!!

[rekladan]

Beautiful, but blimey - it seems those British civil servant stampers didn't feel the need to show any... artistic flair when putting those marks on the frame!

Where is that ladder? I am going check the attic right now, you never know!!!

My grandfather told me stories about a secret hollow wall in the old house, up in the village... seriously, one side of the house is against a rock face! They used to hid things - and people - in there, from the Germans, during the war...

Now, where is my sledge?

[John]

Need some help? Knowing you Cretans, we may find several interesting things in there!!!

[bgiven]

If the cotton patch with Hoppes wipes away the surface rust like I assume it will, use a good gun oil product with lubricating, cleaning, and inhibitor properties. I like to use Eezox on my parkerized, parko-lubrite, and du-lite examples. I would take it out every 2-3 months and wipe it down. Not that it would need it, but its fun to play.

I would anticipate you to be in the $2500.- range with box being what we think it is.

[dogdollar]

That ranks a solid ten on my awesomeness scale.
DD

[Cap]

Thanks again, fellows.

I've sent him a link to this thread.
I know he greatly appreciates your help and comments.
as do I


..L.T.A.

[Auto Mag]

Very nice old 1911 Cap!!! Hope you can get it for the $650.00!!!! :lh:

[Benjmen]

Hi Gentlemen,

I just want to say thanks for all your input on this post from Cap.

This 1911 will more then likley never get fired again, although it was pretty neat to have our daugther shoot her Great Grand Dad's pistol (Sunday was the first time she shot). Thanks to Cap for helping she is finally excited about getting her CC.

Here is what I said to Cap about the $650 :lm: but that was more then the $350 he offered before seeing it!!!

Once again Thanks everyone

Rick

[rekladan]

Welcome to the forum Sir!