I am a new user and not sure this is getting out.

Several years ago, my father-in-law gave me his 1911 Colt. As he was returning to the American lines, in Germany, the day the 1st world war was over, he picked up, out of the mud, this 45 Colt.

The last time he fired the gun, he never cleaned it and the barrell is pitted, this I can replace, altho I will keep the old barrell so that the gun will be as original.

My question is: On the left side, just behind the trigger, there are the enitials GHS and I would like to know what they mean. The serial # is 164833, can you tell me the year it was manufactored and the approximate value. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Pappy passed away several years ago and every now and then I take out
this piece of history and think about what it was like in that 1st world war.

I plan to pass this gun to one of my children and hope they feel the same as I do about the history that surrounds it.

Very truly yours,

David E. Pare'

GHS stands for Major Gilbert H. Stewart, under whose authority the pistols in your serial range were inspected and accepted. Show us some photos when you get a chance. I always like to see the old warhorses that are still out there.

David, your 1911 was made in 1917.

Value per the Blue Book:

* 1914-1925 mfg.

Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
$3,750 $3,000 $2,500 $1,850 $1,325 $925 $700

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org