Hi all,

I'm new to the forum, and also new to the M1911A1 pistol, so I am seeking opinions from forum members on the recommendation of the site moderator.

What I've found out already (through internet serial number and ID sites), is that it bears all the correct markings of a 1943 Gov't issue. It is a Colt,.45 cal., with matchine proof marks ("P") on the slide and frame. The letters GHD appear above the clip release button. Serial number is 1169634. "M1911A1 US ARMY" is stamped on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard. "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" is stamped above the serial number.

There are also smaller marks that are identifiable on the frame, a wheel (mostly burnished off), a triangle with a design inside, and one more mark above the triangle I can't quite make out, kind of like the bottom of the letter "K".

The left side of the slide is also filled with stamping, having to do with patent dates mostly, and also "COLT'S PT FA MFG CO".

I have removed the grips to see if there are any other marks on the inside of the frame, but found none.

There is some pitting of the metal, and it has definitely seen plenty of use. It also came with a leather holster ("Boyt" is stamped on the back) and a canvas belt with metal grommet holes in it like I've seen used for canteens.

Nothing appears to be missing or broken, and all the moving parts work as far as I can tell without having shot it yet.

Is this enough information to get an idea of it's value, and/or use? There is a trade pending, and I would like to know the wisdom of my next move before I have to make it.

Thanks in advance for the advice,
Shane

Sound like a colt to me. I didn't check the serial number but the triangle if it is on the trigger guard is the VP stamp for Visual Proof I think only colts have that stamp. the Wheel if it is on the right rear of the frame I've found it is very common for that stamp to be either very light or only partially showing. There are so many small details that need to be looked at that I'd guess it would be difficult to estimate the value. The one thing I do know is that a decent 1911 A1 made during WW II by any manufacturer is getting harder to come by and they certainly aren't going down in price. There are some really sharp folks here that can probably help you out with the value. But it's really tough to say. Good luck. Oh BTW the holsters in good condition can be pretty pricy also.

Jeeze now I'm spooked, you asked for "educated" and I'm the only one that has answered. This could be trouble because I'm just learning about the GI 1911's and there is a ton to know. so please don't use my word as gospel. (not that you were going to) but just in case.

I just recently found that there are V stamps on other pistols than the colt. so I may be off base on what company made the pistol.

I think the best info I can give you is that any 1911 made during WW II that is still basically origional in decent condition is going to run around $500.00. it can triple from there depending on condition, The value goes much higher for different MFG companies, I think that Colt is probably the top of the value heap in general. Remington Rands are probably the least because so many were made, Ithaca's are valued a bit higher because there were less made and the above that I'd guess Union Switch and Signal. and topping the list of value is the Singer MFG, with only 500 made they are worth tens of thousands of dollars.

The VP in a triangle was used on all of Colt's Government Model, the commercial version of the military 1911 and 1911A1 models, but was not used on the military contract Colts until 1937. Colt was the only one to use this mark.

Thanks guys for the preliminary info, and thanks for the humor about being the only "educated" poster so far, 1911slabsides

I do appreciate the feedback, and have figured out that you guys know more than I do by a long way. Your knowledge of the markings is great, and so far, I haven't needed to re-define them, so that's cool.

Here's a qoute: the Wheel if it is on the right rear of the frame I've found it is very common for that stamp to be either very light or only partially showing.

True, true. This is the first one I've seen, but you must have seen a few to know this. I would've missed it altogether, but found a website that showed it, and there it was on mine too.

Anyone else, feel free to weigh in!

Shane

Honestly Shane I've seen a bunch of pictures, I've been fooling with the 1911 for a long time and I got my first USGI 1911 a few months ago. It was a basket case. Everything I've learned has been a result of what I've learned here and a few other very good sites. I personally have just begun to scratch the surface on the everthing there is to know about these old pistols. Stick around you'll be amazed with all the info. It is really interesting. And the majority of the folks here are pretty damn good people too.

Well, Shane, I was right suggesting the Forums Site, wasn't I?

And I am not the site moderator, I am .... El Commandante!!!! LoL

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

Colt Commercial and military models Serial No 857,000 to 1,609,529 = 1943
around 6500 commercial models were converted to military models.

I'm not abslutely sure but your may be one of the Commercial Models that was converted to military use for the WW II production run.

BTW I see you are an OR tech, I was an ER tech until fairly recently. Seeing those things has made me realize that I need to be as nice as I can in life because it's a fine line between here and there and I don't want to be acting out as a prick when I go.

Hi again,

So what's the deal with having some of the available years' production being converted commercial guns and some of them military production? I've noticed this notated before on serial number lists. Does this matter? If so, how?

Oh yeah, and how would I be able to tell the difference?

Shane

Well as far as I understand it. When WW II broke out Americas manufactuing focused on the war. I belive that guns that were in production for the civilian market were switch over to military guns. I'm not sure how you can identify a commercial swap to military. I know colts 1911 have had that VP stamp since early on. I'm not sure if the stamp was standard on military guns. I really don't know for certain. I've really only studied the Remington Rand And I Know just a Little about those. Colt is another ball Game.