Picked up this 1911 that was needing some TLC, a 1918 version that somehow slipped out without the USP mark. I checked closely thinking it had been ground off, a common practice, but after micrometer measurement of the metal and a close examination I don't think it was ever applied even though it has a military serial number. At some point after, it gets a nickel plating, and perhaps later yet some replacement parts post plating job. Early plastic grips from the late 50s or early 60s were attached and shrank down against the screw studs as was common with this plastic also known as "the incredible shrinking grips" in Colt collector circles. I had a set of old stag 1911 grips, no idea how old but they look weathered and a Heiser 225 shoulder holster which could be from 1919 to 1955. Putting everything back together it makes a nice package, maybe something a PI might have carried in the 30s.
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