1911A1 question
What causes a 1911a1 style of pistol to have stovepipe jams? I have a 45 that has at least one FTE out of each magazine.I have tried different types of quality magazines with no luck.I bought this firearm new about 5 years ago and has had about 1000 rounds of different quality ammo thru it.Extractor problem? This is a mil spec 45.The problem started after about 200 rounds had been shot thru it.The maker of the pistol is a secret.
EvilDr235
EvilDr235
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What is the different of an non-ramp and an ramp barrel? Need to replace the barrel of my 1911, what is the easy to fit to the pistol?
Thanks
Spec.4
Don't fear the night, fear what hunts at night. ME!!0 -
It's difficult to figure out what you have without seeing it. Why do you think that it is a Colt? Many other companies made similar guns. For starters, we need the serial #, and ANY markings anywhere on the slide and frame. However, if, as you say, there are no other markings, then it is most likely a parts gun, and we may not even be able to figure out who made it.
Neal0 -
I thought that the slide itself might have a corresponding serial number on it. I have checked and the serial number comes back to a colt made in 1943. It is blue finished. It was parkerized, but it was polished & re-blued years ago. The grips are brown checkered plastic(or some kind of synthetic) and have been on this gun as long as I can remember
The left side of the slide is marked
Patented April 27, 1897.Sept 9, 1902
Dec.19,1905. Feb14,1911. Aug.19,1913
Colt's PT. F.A.MFG. Co.
Hartford. CT. USA
On the left side of the frame, under the slide lock are the letters GHD. Just below the magazine release is the letter P.
The right side of the frame is marked
United States Property
No.1142***
M1911A1 U.S. Army
There is some sort of mark that I can't quite make out just behind and to the top of the right grip panel. It looks like a circle with two bars crossing over it.
Proud member of the NRA
If it ain't broke-it ain't ours!!!0 -
First, we'll need all of the writings and marks on the gun. Start with the slide, then with the frame....including any proof marks and inspector's marks, and where they're located. Then we'll need the serial # (you can X out the last three digits).....and then a general description, including type of finish, grips, etc.
A nice sharp picture of both sides of the gun would be helpful (if possible).
With some luck, you'll have an original GI M1911A1.
With a little less luck, you'll have a mix-and-match arsenal rebuild...but these were still GI issue guns.
In the meantime, here's some reading material:
http://www.sightm1911.com/
http://usgi1911.tripod.com/
http://www.coolgunsite.com/
Worst case, you'll have a parts gun.....but even then, those are fine shooters.0 -
Now we're getting somewhere.
Those WWII contract Colt 1911A1's with a numbered slide had the number under the recoil plate. I don't recall the cutoff, but yours may have the number there. Your gun should be parkerized & should have a blue barrel with COLT .45 AUTO stamped next to the lug, and P on the lug, and G or S in front of the lug. To determine original finish, look at the GHD with a 10x magnifying glass; since this was stamped after finishing, you should see traces of bare metal within the depressions of the letters.
A website that might help you is www.model1911a1.com; there are detailed descriptions & photos of guns that are similar to yours.
Value depends upon originality & condition. It would range from $2,500 in mint condition, down to $500 if refinished & parts replaced. The best "insurance" is a steel safe or lock box; the cost of it being misused would be far greater than the replacement cost.
Neal0 -
That last patent date should be Aug. 19, 1913....if so, sounds like a genuine GI Colt to me....made in late 1943.
The "P" is a proof mark. The "GHD" is the inspector's mark....Guy H. Drewry. He was at Colt from '42 to '45.
"There is some sort of mark that I can't quite make out just behind and to the top of the right grip panel. It looks like a circle with two bars crossing over it."
Could this be a round circle with sort of an X thru it? If so, this is an Ordnance Dept. Inspection Stamp...a circle with crossed cannons.
Sounds like you've got a winner there Searcher!0 -
The last patent date is August 19, 1913. I originally wrote 1911 down twice. The mark is just as you say-a circle with crossed cannons on it. As I said, it has been polished & re-blued, back when they were a dime-a-dozen, and no-one gave any thought to collector value. Other than that, the gun is in excellent condition, showing less wear that my series '70. Thank you all for the great information. Dan
Proud member of the NRA
If it ain't broke-it ain't ours!!!0 -
Unfortunately, if it's been blued, it's collector value is gone. 0 -
Yeah, ain't that a kicker. People thought that they were improving them, and took God knows how many dollars off by refinishing them. My father says that he remembers when the going rate for one was $5. I guess you don't worry much about something when they are cheap and plentiful. Kind of like '55 chevys. I would never sell it anyway. It has a lot of family history behind it. I'll leave it to one of my 3 sons when my hitch on earth is done. Maybe one of my daughters.
Proud member of the NRA
If it ain't broke-it ain't ours!!!0 -
A fairly worn but not abused Colt M1911A1 from 1942 went for over $1500 on that other auction site a day or two ago. Of coures, a 1942 production with the slide serial-numbered to the frame is more desirable than the later pistols like this one that do not have the serial number under the firing pin stop.
Being that this one is blued, it is just a shooter worth whatever someone wants to pay, either out of ignorance or taste, probably in the $300 range.0 -
I know how you feel about that weapon, I have a 1911 US Army issue that my grandfather was issued in December 1917, the papers I have from Colt have this weapon being sent to the Army from Colt in November 1917, It has been carried in every war by a member of our family and has been reblued twice, the last time was when I came back from VietNam, to me it does not have price tag and I am 65 years old, this weapon is also one of the weapons I carry. Take care of the old war horse. You might contact the Colt people to find out when it was issued, they do however charge for this service. Good luck. 0
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