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1968 National Match 1911

5331
Hi Everyone-
New member- first post- please bear with me.
Here's my question- I have an opportunity to buy what appears to be a 1968 National Match 1911. The pistol has the curved mainspring housing- every photo I've seen of one of these has had the straight mainspring housing.
So what do you all think? Is this piece original (did some of them come with the curved mainspring housing?), or has it been tampered with? Other than that, it looks to be about 99%. (no box, paperwork, etc- just the pistol) Any thoughts on value, given what I have described? Any help (before I spend any $) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • SP45
    Not sure on the mainspring housing but a NM of that date in 99% will bring in the area of 1,500.00.
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  • Hawk Carse
    The original Gold Cup National Match was advertised with your choice of flat or arched mainspring housing. But I never saw a new one with arched, all I have had or seen were flat.
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  • 5331
    This one is NOT a gold cup- at least, it is not stamped that way. The only markings are "National Match". Is there a difference between the Gold Cup National Match model, and the " plain" National Match model?
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  • Hawk Carse
    No.
    The ORIGINAL Gold Cup, 1957-1969 was only marked National Match on the gun but was cataloged and packaged as the Gold Cup National Match. Only one version at the time.
    Colt started putting Gold Cup on the gun in 1970 along with the other Series 70 changes.
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  • 5331
    So then what I'm looking at here is a Gold Cup National Match, which is marked "National Match", right?
    Is the curved, or arched, mainspring housing a rarity?
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  • Hawk Carse
    To quote a reliable source (Me!) the gun was originally offered with your choice of flat or arched housing. But I have never seen one with a definite factory supplied arched; all I know of are flat.
    The mainspring housing is a readily replaceable part and could have been changed out by a previous owner with little cost or trouble.

    quote:would the mainspring housing be marked or stamped in any way that would indicate that it was an original part?

    Not that I know of. A knowledgeable collector could probably tell if it were army surplus or some off brand but if it is a Colt part there is little chance of telling whether it was installed at the factory or by a shooter who preferred the shape.

    I gather you are looking at this gun as an investment or "collectable" and not something to actually use.
    I don't do that but if you are, you should be very suspicious of anything out of the ordinary.
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  • 5331
    If I disassemble the pistol, would the mainspring housing be marked or stamped in any way that would indicate that it was an original part?
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  • Herschel
    You are talking about a Colt Govt Model aren't you? Model 1911 A1 National Match pistols were sold through the DCM in 1968. These would have a parkerized finish. I don't think Colt identified their govt model or Gold Cup pistols as model 1911's in those years.
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  • perry shooter
    There are TWO completely different pistols when it comes to the term NATIONAL MATCH. Colt made 3 different National match pistols for sale to anyone that wanted one . They were the Pre WW II pistols with slide marked National Match but with the same serial numbers as other Government models with a letter C prefix. then after WW II and before the series 70 we had a a pistol that the Box had the term GOLD CUP but the pistol itself had a slide that was marked National Match the serial numbers had the letters NM as a suffix. then the series 70 had a slide marked Gold Cup National Match and serial 70N prefix they are all the first TYPE of Colt National match Pistols . NOW for the second type . Starting in the 1950's -1968 Military marksmANSHIP UNITS AS WELL AS MILITARY ARSENALS MADE PISTOLS TO SHOOT AT THE national matches CAMP PERRY OHIO. These started out as RACK guns made by Colt and other makers. The serial Number were all military and could be in any 1911A1 range. The the military stared contracting for match grade parts among them Sights Barrels, Barrel bushings and later Slides. This continued until 1968 and these pistols were sold at Camp Perry after 1968 you could Borrow/rent a pistol for use at the matches. these guns should have the slide and barrel numbered to match the frame serial number and markings to denote what U.S military unit put the pistol together, Some had straight mainspring housing some arched. Be careful many other gunsmiths built match pistols and MISS-NAMED them National Match the only TRUE National Match are those built by Military ARMORY. Pictures on request I have examples of all three vintages of Colt commercial pistols and a 1964 Military Built Camp Perry National Match Pistol PRAISE THE HARD_BALL GUN
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  • 5331
    Sorry about the delay in responding, everyone- I have been away from internet access for a few days.

    Hawk Carse- I am considering purchasing this pistol to use, at a fair price to both myself and the seller, who is liquidating her brother's estate. I have no intention or desire to hurt her and want to pay a fair price for the pistol, but don't want to overpay a "collectible" price for a piece that is not original. It has been shot, but very little, and I intend to shoot it, if I end up with it-it may even become my everyday carry piece. I just don't want to pay for something that it isn't. The mainspring housing has raised my suspicions, that's all.

    Perry Shooter- Thanks for the info. This one has the NM serial number suffix, and is stamped National Match, but not Gold Cup, and by the serial number seems to have been manufactured in 1968. So I'm pretty sure it's the pre- series 70 National Match, that came in the box marked Gold Cup. First type pistol, as you described.

    Herschel- This one is not parkerized and looks like the photos I've seen online of commercial Colt National Match pistols. I have seen one of the parkerized versions you are referring to in the past, and this one is definitely not one of those.

    SP45- How did you come up with a number of $1500? Not questioning your judgement, just curious as to your source.

    Thanks again, everyone. If there's anything else you have to add, please let me know. Hope I can return the favor(s) someday. I'll let you know if I buy it, and try to post some photos.

    Dave
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  • Herschel
    5331, Do a search of completed auctions and see what someone has bid or paid for a similar pistol. I would think $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 would be in the ball park. This year I paid $1,000.00 for a 1967 vintage .45 ACP Colt Commander. It was a 98% gun and in the original box. I thought the price I paid was fair. I think the Gold Cup NM would be more valuable.
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  • 5331
    Herschel-
    Never used that function and can't seem to find it. Can you tell me how to find the completed auctions?
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