COLT 1911
Edit: got answer
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Ten years ago I still had my FFL 93-95, and had a parts .45 target auto set up on my table at a local Indianapolis show, an old gentleman said he was looking for a pistol like that and said he had something to trade. He opened a case to reveal a dark blued Colt 1911, with a two tone mag and instruction manual dated 1918. We swapped and this pistol is sitting in the bottom of my gun case forever, I dated it through the serial number to 1915 and colt said it was shipped to the US Army on the mexicam border. This part of the ol guys story checks out cause he said his Dad used it against Poncho Villas, forces in 1916. Now strange thing though three (3) small angle file notches are in the mag well bottom of the frame ^^ ^
Old guy said his Dad killed three men and notched the pistol each time. This is the story I wonder about. Anybody know how true this could be? The pistol is all original 1911 Colt, could someone just keep it from Uncle Sam all these years? For that matter could it have been used in WW II? Doesnt look re-blued or arsenal refinished to me. All parts and proofs match, bbl marking is correct. Each time I take it to a show, very rare these days, a so called expert looks at it, says something like "Yea an old Colt 1911" Wanna sell it? and thats it. I keep hoping the Antiques Road Show will stop by, but other than that I often wonder what I have and what its worth? Thanks for any info.0 -
The Barrel if original will have two letters on the chamber area top that you can see with the slide closed there should be a letter H and another letter P . Now most of these pistols were rebuilt before WW II and as they used to shoot corrosive primed ammo more then likely the barrel has been replaced then you have to look at the side of the bottom locking lugs of the barrel most likely the replacement barrel will have 2 letters H S High Standard, Charles Clawson has a number of Great books on the Military pistols one the BIG book can sell for as much as $1000.00 if signed in mint condition .If you take in focus pictures we can tell you who made the barrel.
EDIT 1the P stands for the fact the barrel was Proofed the H is the inspector Francis L Hosmer.Also there are 3 types of how the barrel was stamped with these two letters serial numbers between early guns were one way "NOT YOURS" guns 60,000-375,000 " early 1918 would be so you can read the letters holding the pistol in your hand pointing forward. then later 1918 guns from 375,000-710,000 guns you have to look at the pistol sideways with muzzle pointing to the right and the right leg of the H is also the left vertical line of the P. The finish on the gun should be Black NOT parkerized. and it should have Wood Grips . If these two other conditions are correct then most likely you have a correct WW I pistol that has not been through a REBUILD0 -
Thanks Perry, Yes it has the H to the rear and P toward the front of barrel.Are HP marked barrels Colt or did someone else make it ? HP stands for what ? 0 -
Thanks Perry,wish i could get pictures up but guess not.The finish is more of a brown with a black in protected areas like under grips.The H P is in line with the barrel and about a 1/2" apart,pointed forward the H is first then the P. Has wood grips with a diamond at the screw areas. 0 -
Sounds like you have an Honest 1911. that has not been MESSED with or rebuilt by military . Bad news is the finish has turned brown good news is finish has turned brown . LOL. The reasons I say bad news is it has lost some value because the finish shows age where not protected. Good news because it sounds all original. Original will beat refinished 100% of the time. 0
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