How 'original' is it?

[TX_NC_51]

Hmm, first post from a newbie. Don't be gentle but show a little compassion...

I recently inherited a M1911, S/N 370xx, which was apparently made on July 9, 1913 and identifying it as a USMC Colt. The last owner was in fact a Marine.

The slide however has a last patent date of Aug. 19, 1913, so I'm curious as to the "originality" of the weapon. Is the slide concurrent or is it a replacement in the years between 1913 and 1944 when the pistol was last issued?

For the curious, the last time this weapon was fired was approximately April, 1945. I'm cautiously considering NOT ever firing it again, as much as I'd like to.

[bgiven]

The 1913 slide patent date did not show up on Colts production until June or July 1914. The slide is not original to the frame being built mid 1913.

Pictures would determine what vintage the slide really is.

[TX_NC_51]

The slide:

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp149/crprjrrr/Slide.jpg

The other side:

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp149/crprjrrr/SerialNo.jpg

[Scott Gahimer]

Your slide is from a much later (post mid-1918) M1911.

I agree. If it hasn't been fired since 1945 and you know some of the history of the pistol, I'd recommend buying a modern shooter and setting this one back for the preservation.

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum.

[TX_NC_51]

Thank you for your insights, knowledge, and advice.

Glad to be here.

[bgiven]

As Scott has mentioned, it is a much later production slide. A mid 1914 era slide would have the patent rollmarks with Roman style lettering, that would match the United States Property rollmark on the LH frame. The Gothic or block lettering style started about mid 1917 I believe. Additionally, your grips are not original, and much later production as well.

[Scott Gahimer]

The rampant colt in the middle of the slide was the dead give-away for me.