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colt 1911

45
Edit: got answer
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  • 45
    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.
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  • 22hipower
    That could be a very interesting 1911. We really need to see good clear pictures. Nickel pre-war 38 Supers can be quite valuable if in original condition. Not sure about the engraving though; if not Colt factory it depends on quality and who did it as to whether it enhances or reduces value. A number of pre-war 38 Supers in blue were later nickled; hopefully yours is original. We need to see pictures but a Colt letter may be the only way to know what the original finish was.
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  • perry shooter
    There is a very good REF book on the 38 supers written by Douglas Sheldon. Probably on par with Clawson's book on Military 1911's &
    1911A1's . If FACTORY engraved and Nickel with SWARTZ it would be a VERY HIGH END Colt SUPER the dust cover of Sheldons book has a great picture of one.It's serial # is 7908 A factory letter in your case if it shows it was shipped in the condition it is now in "ENGRAVED AND NICKEL" would add thousands to its value[^][:p][:0] and you would know for sure WE would love to see some pictures.

    Edit Hello Hawk C You may have a different book then mine mine is ISBN 0-9659874-0-x and JUST covers the 38 super and copyrighted 1997 dust cover is a 1911 38 super. engraved.Also IF this pistol has a SWARTZ safety this safety would come 20 years after the last model 1902 was ever built. Pictures would solve many problems of us guessing what this person has. until then [?][?][?][?]
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  • Hawk Carse
    quote:has a ring on left side at bottom for the lanyard

    Don't think I have ever seen a side lanyard loop. Not on a Colt.
    In case nobody mentions it, we need pictures.
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  • peabo
    The only Colt that I am aware of that has a lanyard loop is the 1902 military. The '02 Military is chambered for 38 Auto and the 38 Super is too hot for this pistol.

    The lanyard loop is mounted on the left side at the bottom rear of the grip.

    I would also like to see pictures.



    EDIT --- Yes, I should have mentioned that the SWARTZ safety eliminated the '02 as a possibility of being the pistol that he has.


    colt1902mil.jpg


    Thanks---Peabo
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  • 45
    I will get some pics and get them to you all as soon as possible. The more I look at the gun the more interesting it gets. Thanks for the help.
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  • 45
    I just looked at Sheldons book cover our gun looks exactly like that with Ivory grips matching magazine. the lanyard loop is on the left side all in silver. on the slide behind the colt in the engraving there is the numbers 3880 same number on the front of the grip .
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  • Spartacus
    Only 32 of the "pre-war" guns were factory engraved.
    a 1937 went for $12,000 last year.
    definately need a letter from Colt.
    tom
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  • Hawk Carse
    quote:Originally posted by 45
    I just looked at Sheldons book cover our gun looks exactly like that with Ivory grips matching magazine. the lanyard loop is on the left side all in silver. on the slide behind the colt in the engraving there is the numbers 3880 same number on the front of the grip .


    Then you do not have a 1911. The gun on the cover of that book is a 1902 military as Peabo has shown. It is NOT a .38 Super, it is a .38 Auto - .38 ACP. Shooting current production .38 Super ammunition in it will damage it in short order, as Peabo also said.
    A FACTORY engraved 1902 will itself be a good catch, an aftermarket engraving job will be nice but worth much less money.

    Know what you are dealing with and avoid leading us on wild goose chases.

    Edit to add: Perry and 45, I may have been looking at the wrong Sheldon book. I am not going to look it up again until we see some pictures of the actual gun the OP mentions.

    Edit to add more: I am still concerned about the part:
    "lanyard loop is on the left side" because I have not seen a Colt 1911 pattern gun like that.
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  • partisan
    Contact Colt and spend a few bucks. There is a strong possibility that your Colt is valuable.
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  • 45
    I have the pictures how do we post them here?
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  • nmyers
    There is a "sticky" near the top of the first page of the forum that explains how to post photos.

    Neal
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