1911 Show-N-Tell

[churchmouse]

The few that would be in the ball park will go up on the auction site. Too rich for my blood.

Or scooped up by insiders.

 

[mrzachary]

Dang! And we have a winner folks!!! That is just stunning to my eyes. Congratulations, what a family heirloom.

Thanks. He got it from a coworker back in the day. I won't tell you what he said he paid for it.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Or scooped up by insiders.

Employee benefit?

 

[churchmouse]

Employee benefit?

There will always be insiders my friend. Always.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

Got some pictures of my Grandpa's 1911. It's an absolute beauty.
Made 1917. USGI Issue. Too bad the original grips aren't with it. I'll probably get some for it.

bravo, sir

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I'm watching American Rifleman on the Outdoor channel as I type this (it's a DVR recording). And they're talking about the 1911 CMP program.

 

[Hopper]

Hard to follow up Grandpa's 1911, but the DW ECO got new VZ Dirty Olive ETC grips in the mail today. I couldn't really do the zebra-pattern VZ grips that came stock, they were a bit loud.

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[OD*]

Got some pictures of my Grandpa's 1911. It's an absolute beauty.
Made 1917. USGI Issue. Too bad the original grips aren't with it. I'll probably get some for it.

It's pretty, do you know who did the work on it?

 

[mrzachary]

It's pretty, do you know who did the work on it?

I do not. I know that as long as my grandpa has had it, the only thing that has been done is preserve it. I'm waiting to hear back when he actually acquired it. I'm guessing he picked it up back in the early 80's but not sure. I'll post when I find out.

I'm no pro, but I've looked the gun over pretty well trying to find clues of a refinish and can't really find any. I've read about the refinish clues on the 1911's with Colt's brushed blue finishes but not their charcoal finish like this one appears to be. If you know of any telling signs, or anything that gives it away in the photos let me know. Thanks.

*Update

He got it back in the early 60's. Confirmed that he didn't do a thing to it and he was under the impression that the previous owner also acquired it in this exact condition.

 

[OD*]

I do not. I know that as long as my grandpa has had it, the only thing that has been done is preserve it. I'm waiting to hear back when he actually acquired it. I'm guessing he picked it up back in the early 80's but not sure. I'll post when I find out.

I'm no pro, but I've looked the gun over pretty well trying to find clues of a refinish and can't really find any. I've read about the refinish clues on the 1911's with Colt's brushed blue finishes but not their charcoal finish like this one appears to be. If you know of any telling signs, or anything that gives it away in the photos let me know. Thanks.

*Update

He got it back in the early 60's. Confirmed that he didn't do a thing to it and he was under the impression that the previous owner also acquired it in this exact condition.

It's been refinished, but that doesn't take away from the fact it was your granddad's. Some of the clues to it being reworked are, the hammer and slide are incorrect for a 1917, if you look at the rear of the frame around where the hammer pin and thumb safety pin exit the frame, you can see they are dished out from over buffing, the other thing is the finish itself, Colt did not used that finish on any USGI pistols. Here is an original 1917-M1911,

http://www.coolgunsite.com/images/1911/1917 colt/1917 Colt.htm

 

[crewchief888]

ive first hand never seen an original GI issue 1911, i was under the impression that they were a (more or less) flat charcoal finish, with no attention to "detail".

only thing i can compare an original to is the norinco 1911 i bought in the 90's. it has very "rough" looking finish, with obvious flaws in the sides of the slide. it doesnt detract from the function at all.

 

[OD*]

ive first hand never seen an original GI issue 1911, i was under the impression that they were a (more or less) flat charcoal finish, with no attention to "detail".

only thing i can compare an original to is the norinco 1911 i bought in the 90's. it has very "rough" looking finish, with obvious flaws in the sides of the slide. it doesnt detract from the function at all.

flat charcoal finish

Is known as "Parkerizing", Colt did not begin using it until May 1941*.


*Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1: From 1911 to the End of Production in 1945: Complete Military Identification, Including All Contractors ~ Charles W. Clawson.

 

[mrzachary]

It's been refinished, but that doesn't take away from the fact it was your granddad's. Some of the clues to it being reworked are, the hammer and slide are incorrect for a 1917, if you look at the rear of the frame around where the hammer pin and thumb safety pin exit the frame, you can see they are dished out from over buffing, the other thing is the finish itself, Colt did not used that finish on any USGI pistols. Here is an original 1917-M1911,

http://www.coolgunsite.com/images/1911/1917 colt/1917 Colt.htm

Awesome. Good eye and thanks for the info. I may need to strip this girl down and try and figure out where everything came from parts wise.

 

[OD*]

Awesome. Good eye and thanks for the info. I may need to strip this girl down and try and figure out where everything came from parts wise.

That could lead to a great deal of enjoyment too, maybe do it together with your Grandfather.

 

[Dean C.]

I really need to get all the 1911's out for a "Family Photo" sometime

 

[churchmouse]

I really need to get all the 1911's out for a "Family Photo" sometime

How does that Colt stack up in that group...???

 

[Dean C.]

How does that Colt stack up in that group...???

Honestly not bad at all, but it is a custom shop M45A1 too, the series 80 trigger is not even that bad. Hell of a shooter the Marines picked a rocking pistol. The Ion Bond finish is fantastic too

 

[bjenkins]

I really need to get all the 1911's out for a "Family Photo" sometime

Very nice sir!

 

[churchmouse]

Honestly not bad at all, but it is a custom shop M45A1 too, the series 80 trigger is not even that bad. Hell of a shooter the Marines picked a rocking pistol. The Ion Bond finish is fantastic too

So it is well fit up by comparison to other recent Colts..??