Researching a 1911 For a Customer - Any Info Welcome

[Pineview Military Surplus]

Hello all,

I own a military surplus store and we get a lot of customers asking for help researching items. We had a gentleman bring in a 1911 and holster that his grandfather brought home from the pacific. Unsure of any information other than that, sadly. Doing some basic Googling helped me date it to 1917 according to the serial number, and the holster matches that year. Oddly though it seems to have elements of the A1 version, with no diamond grips and the arched spring housing. It does not have the relief cut at the trigger, however. It looks like it has the long trigger and short spurs too. The patina is even overall, and I wondered if it may have been a depot serviced weapon hence the minor changes.

I'm hoping folks here could shed some light on the pistol and also estimate a possible value. I understand that's difficult through a few images, but he's wary about selling it if he doesn't know what he has.

Thanks in advance!

Robert

[Jim Watson]

Most USGI parts are freely interchangeable, arched mainspring housing and plain checkered grips on a 1911 frame are not unusual.

The slide markings are san-serif lettering, the "horsie" in the middle of the roll marks. The slide is later production, but still a 1911. Maybe a replacement, maybe the gun was assembled while they were changing stamps.

I see no Army inspector's stamp either, that year it was on the left side just above the magazine catch.

[ultra45]

Most USGI parts are freely interchangeable, arched mainspring housing and plain checkered grips on a 1911 frame are not unusual.

The slide markings are san-serif lettering, the "horsie" in the middle of the roll marks. The slide is later production, but still a 1911. Maybe a replacement, maybe the gun was assembled while they were changing stamps.

I see no Army inspector's stamp either, that year it was on the left side just above the magazine catch.

I can see a very faint stamp above the mag catch in pic #2. It’s possible it was serviced at the arsenal, but not a full blown refurbishment, just changing the mainspring housing and internals. The wide spur Hammer and safety look original. My Service grade CMP Colt was a full blown arsenal refurbished 1911. New hammer, safety and Colt Replacement contract barrel. Also, it was re-Parkerized..

[Pineview Military Surplus]

Thanks for the replies and info. Here's a close up of what may be the inspection stamp.

20221018_140203A.jpg

[Jim Watson]

That's it, I could not see it in the first pictures. Good old Major Gilbert H. Stewart.

I am not sure about the hammer and safety, but I am not a magnifying glass collector.

[Doran]

Welcome to the forum.

Slide, safety later style 1918 style. Hammer likely shortened. Loop magazine early for that serial. Shipped 11 Aug 1917 to Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory.

What marks on the barrel?

[Pineview Military Surplus]

What marks on the barrel?

Thanks for the info. No marks on the barrel that I can see.

[Doran]

That era barrel has small P and H stamps visible through the ejection port. Can you provide a photo of the top of the barrel?

[Pineview Military Surplus]

Here's what I could find inside the port. Thanks again!
20221020_125533A.jpg

[Doran]

We need a close, clear photo with the slide closed showing the top of the barrel chamber through the ejection port.