Annother Colt mfg date ?

playthings

April 23, 2003 19:44

Recently purchased (on GB of course) a Colt 1911 Government model,MK IV, series 80, pistol. The serial number is SS249xx. Approximately what would be the manufacture date?
It currently has Pachmayr wrap-around rubber grips. What type grips are original to this piece?
The grip screw head slots are slightly buggered. Would anyone know a source of replacements?
Sorry if got carried away with the questions.
Thanks for the help.

0

• 

  Permanently deleted user

  April 24, 2003 04:59

  www.gunpartscorp.com
  
  
  
  "A wise man is a man that realizes just how little he knows"
  BIG DOG
  

  0
• 

  RancheroPaul

  April 24, 2003 05:23

  Regarding a Manufacture Date, this Stainless Steel Government Model with the Serial Number you are stating, would have definitely been made AFTER 1985. All Literature I know about and have, that "dates" Colt firearms by Serial Number, stops after 1985. Any Guns made after that date are better dated by the Colt Historical Department. You can find the Phone Number at http://www.colt.com/
  
  That being said, based on production numbers, I suspect your gun was made in about 1988 or 1989. You can verify this with Colt. Hope this helps......
  
  
  
  "Life is FRAGILE!" Handle With Care!

  0
• 

  JudgeColt

  April 24, 2003 06:07

  As RP says, it is impossible to date your Government Model (it is not a Model 1911, which is a military designation only) because the charts do not continue as far as this serial number.
  
  If it is late 1980s, there was a transition in stock style during that time frame. Early stainless Government Models had checkered walnut stocks, then the stocks were black-colored walnut, then the rubber followed. It is hard to know where this pistol would fall in that sequence.
  
  Colt sells parts for all reasonably current Colt firearms. Brownells also sells genuine Colt parts, and the service will be faster. You can probably repair the screw slots if they are not too bad by carefully peening the displaced metal back down with a hammer and cleaning up the slots with a needle file, then using appropriate grit media to restore the original finish. (I use a worn ScotchBrite pad.)
  
  Does your pistol have any plastic parts on it? If not, it is a keeper because Colt began to use plastic parts (ugh!) in that era. I have an early stainless Government Model with no plastic parts that is a thing of beauty.

  0
• 

  playthings

  April 25, 2003 13:15

  Thanks to all 58 that took a look at my question; especially to Classic095, RancheroPaul and JudgeColt for their responses.
  
  To JudgeColt: In answer to your question, it has no plastic parts.
  My taste in firearms is pretty traditional. Heck,it took me a long time to accept stainless steel and rubber grips. Deep blued steel and dark walnut wood can't be beat for appearance.
  
  Thanks again.
  Playthings

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.