Please help identify my m1911 1a...

[doubletap]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/vsengdara/myM1911_left.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/vsengdara/myM1911_right.jpg
I just bought a m1911 1a and never knew that it was such an important part of history. Consequently, I'd like to know all of my gun's history. Here's a description:
right side: united states property no. 1381xxx, m 1911 a1 us army
on the slide: model of 1911. u.s army, als0 d54 engraved right side of verticle thread below rear sight. there is an i engraved below the trigger, w engraved top right of trigger guard.

left side: engraved: patented apr 20, 1897. sept 9, 1902. dec 19, 1905. aug 19, 1913. Also engraved: horse, colt's pt fa mfg co hartford, ct usa. Below the slide lock:engraved F. w or something (it's worn out to much), p engraved next to magazine release, and number 7 engraved to left of trigger guard.

Also, there is a h engraved right behind the rear sight above the hammer.

That's about all I can see from the outside. Please help me find the history behind this great gun.

[Scott Gahimer]

It sounds like you've got possibly a WWI era Colt M1911 slide sitting on a WW2 era 1944 M1911A1 Remington Rand frame and probably a mixture of various other small parts.
Many pistols ended up being mismatched through rebuilds over the years. Some were done in the military. Many have been done commercially or in somebody named Bubba's basement after they left military service.
None of the markings originally applied were engraved. Some were applied with roll dies; some machine stamped, and finally others were hand stamped. The "F" marking was originally F.J.A., and have no idea what the "d54" might be.
Good photos of your gun might reveal more info.

[exitwounds]

The I, W, and 7 are a series of numbers and/or letters applied by Remington-Rand to signify various factory inspections, the practice began shortly after serial number 1300000. An H (w/o serifs) stamped above the firing pin stop, is the provisional ordnance inspection stamp of Frank Hosmer. What type of finish is on the weapon? Again pictures would be a big help in determining what you have as Scott suggested.

[doubletap]

Scott & exitwounds, thanks for the information. I will try to get some photos posted as soon as possible, so you guys can get a closer look.

[doubletap]

Just by reading a lot of the messages posted by the many M1911 owners, I feel pretty lucky to own one myself and would probably never try to sell it, but just for curiosity, how much do you think this M1911 is worth? I think it's in pretty bad condition, and also as Scott mentioned, does the interchanging of parts decrease the overall value of the gun? What would you suggest I do with this piece of history from this day foward. Thanks for all your help.