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Colt 45 WW II COmmemorative Pistol

jrpope
After the passing of my Grandfather, I was given a Colt 45 Pistol. It is in a Case, with a tag: World War II Commemorative European-African Middle Eastern Theater December 11 1941 - May 7 1945. This gun has never been out of the case, looks to have smooth woodgrain grip handles, and either nickel or sterling sliver barrel. It has alot of inscription on the barrel, and the seriel number is 5564ETO. I am trying to find out the value of this gun for insurance purpouse. I would appreciate any information that anyone can give me about this gun.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    I don't believe that Colt made such a pistol. Does it have the word "Colt" on the gun? What is the exact wording on the gun, the case, & the cardboard box?

    Neal
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  • p3skyking
    I believer American Heritage or American Historical Foundation put these out. I think the original price was three equal payments of $395 or something like that.

    While pretty, they are not Colt made and only fetch around $400-$600 in the secondary market. They do shoot, and that is the reason they retain value.
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  • jrpope
    On the gun it has 5564 ETO, Colts PT. FA. MFG CO. Hartford Conn USA. On the Barrell it has the inscription on it. North Atlantic Tunisia-Sicily-Ploesti-Salerno-Normandy-Bastogne-Remagen-Berlin. The Handles look to be woodgrain (maybe walnut not sure, but they are light in color, with the Colt gold circle about 3/4 way up. Around the inscription of the all of the city names has what look to be oak leaves, and then back where the hammer is, on the barrell, it has 3 more oak leaves inscribed.
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  • Herschel
    I believe you have one of the models described in the Blue Book as 1970 WWII Series--European Theater. The value given in my 1999 value if $695 in 100% condition. There were six different models in the WWI and WWII series. They came with matching serial numbers. I am sure the last ETO in your serial number distinguishes it from the identically numbered gun for the Pacific Theater which would probably have a suffix of PTO or something similar. The inscription given in your second post above leads me to believe it is a product of Colt.
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  • Xracer
    From the 23rd Edition of the Blue Book.

    Colt 1970 WWII Series - European Theatre

    100% - $795

    Issue Price - $250

    Quantity Made - 11,500
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  • p3skyking
    I stand corrected about the manufacture. These are Colt made if that address is on them.
    The companies I mentioned do use real Colt's on occasion and this is one of them.
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  • flinch
    Your Grandfather had good taste. Keep it and enjoy, they are very nice guns.
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  • dwr111
    On this topic, I have the 6 gun standard set. All 4 of the WWI have matching SN, but the two WWII's have differnt numbers from each other as well as the WWI's. The BB gives a value if all guns have matching #'s. Anyone have a clue on what the set would bring with the two mismatched # gun's?

    Warren
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  • hksrule
    Honestly...i would keep the piece at all costs simply because its from within your family and the weapon is definitely a collectors piece. I personally am still looking for a WWII issue m1911a1 cause its part of our history and it helped win the biggest war ever.

    WordBorn!!
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  • dwr111
    Have NO fear, we are keeping this set, but we are in process of valuing his collection for estate and personal purposes. I'm leaning towards giving a 20% premium for the WWI guns, and non-for the WWII for estate purposes. I'll go the BB value for personal insurance value
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