A fellow had a pile of 1911 parts wrapped up in a dirty tee shirt. He knew was a USGI 1911. He didn't know how to put it together. He wanted to sell it. So, I bought it, figuring that any Colt is worth $550. I figured it had been refinished, had a replacement barrel, had the wrong grips and needed a grip screw and bushing.
It was all there. I detail stripped it and found several decades worth of sticky gunk inside. I've learned to take that as a good sign... it means the gun sat for decades, and that means it has received neither use nor abuse.
Sure enough, it runs like a champ! Tight fitting slide, and if feeds, fires and ejects both round ball and hollow point ammo, with no failures.
Some friends who know a little about it convinced me that the finish is original. One bit of evidence is that the fade line at the front of the slide would be gone if it had been refinished.
So, I started reading up on how to tell if the parts are correct. I was really pleased to know that the serial number under the firing pin stop matches the frame, and that the barrel is a Type 6 with all the right markings, correct for this gun.
Bottom line is I decided that as far as I can tell it has All Parts Correct and needs only a grip screw, grip screw bushing and Type 7 Coltwood grips. I've ordered all three.
So I went to GunBroker and found a Penny Auction for a 1943 USGI 1911 in similar condition, closing within the hour with 20 bids for $1775! I could hardly believe it.
Now I don't know if I should keep it, or sell it! I like it a lot, and want to keep it, but Good Grief! how often do you get to triple your money right away?
I was hoping that some of you that know more'n I do, can tell me what you think about this little gem.
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