I have just inherited a 1911 and would like some of you experienced collectors to help me out. It is a 1911 but it is chrome or silver plated. The grip safety,
slide lock, trigger, magazine catch lock, hammer and safety are all gold plated.
It is marked "U.S. Govt. Property" on the slide. Here is what is puzzling. The serial number is listed as No 329814 the "14" in the number is slightly larger
than the other numbers so I assume it is some kind of suffix or added on number. Does anyone have any info on this.
thanks
5th RCT

From the serial number, if it's not been messed with........your Colt was built in 1918 or 19 as during that time they were made out of sequence.

As for the plating, that's obviously soemones doing.

Would like to see a pic.

Thanks for the reply. I have some pictures, but did not get the light right and
don't think they would load too well. I'll try again. As for the plating, this gun
was won in a raffle back in the 50's or 60's. I don't know if the folks that raffled
the gun off had it done, or if they bought it from someone. I guess back then
the pistols were not too rare and a lot of them were messed with.

In the 1950's through 1970's new production commercial Colt 1911's were expensive and Colt was the only manufacturer of 1911's. Military surplus 1911's were cheap and many ended up being converted to NRA bullseye target guns or being customized with new finishes such as nickel or chrome plating.