1944 M1911A US Army Handgun Question

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 1944 M1911A US Army Handgun Question

Posted: 6/6/2015 11:02:38 PM EDT

Good Evening all. I have the opportunity to buy a numbers matching M1911A. Serial #1649896. From the quick research I did looks like it's a 1944 handgun. It's in pretty good shape. It was definitely carried. The story is it saved the owners life once. The owner was a Vet and passed away a month ago. His brother is selling it. It's complete. It is not a ReWork. Says Military property and US Army on it. It has Colt Hartford Ct. On it as well. Original condition.

The guy wants $500. What say Ye gurus? The owner was a Bad Ass Bronze Star and 2 Purple hearts.

Posted: 6/6/2015 11:17:50 PM EDT

[#1]

No such thing as a numbers matching M1911A1. The US did not serialize parts like their European counterparts. But if it's a 1944 Colt M1911A1 in good shape I'd be all over it for $500!

Posted: 6/7/2015 2:15:32 AM EDT

[#2]

Hand over the 5 bills and thank him.

Posted: 6/7/2015 2:17:58 AM EDT

[#3]

That's exactly what I will be doing. He wants to tranfer it to me. In KommieFornia do u see any issues to do the whole DROS deal. I'm fine with it

Posted: 6/7/2015 4:12:02 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
No such thing as a numbers matching M1911A1. The US did not serialize parts like their European counterparts. But if it's a 1944 Colt M1911A1 in good shape I'd be all over it for $500!

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Earlier 1911's (I forget the cutoff year) have serial numbered slides and frames. The slide serial number is located behind the firing pin stop. This is what he means by "numbers matching".

Posted: 6/7/2015 11:18:05 AM EDT

[#5]

It was around 1.1M when Colt stopped serializing the slides. Well below the OP's serial number. But stranger things have happened if it is factory serialized at this late a date.

Posted: 6/9/2015 8:31:41 AM EDT

[#6]

Only 1911A1's and only those from colt had the serial stamped under the firing pin stop on the slides for part of the ww two production only it was not done by any other 1911 maker or prior to the a1 contracts.
Even if it is beat to hell and refinished it is still worth $500 run do not walk to that deal!

Posted: 6/11/2015 6:48:40 AM EDT

[#7]

Buy it and post pics here as soon as you get it!

Posted: 6/11/2015 7:49:15 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buy it and post pics here as soon as you get it!

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This, in so many ways!

Posted: 6/12/2015 8:40:03 AM EDT

[#9]

WWII 1911s have increased in value in the last few years. Even a refinished, mixmaster fetches $750+

Posted: 6/12/2015 8:47:17 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

Earlier 1911's (I forget the cutoff year) have serial numbered slides and frames. The slide serial number is located behind the firing pin stop. This is what he means by "numbers matching".

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
No such thing as a numbers matching M1911A1. The US did not serialize parts like their European counterparts. But if it's a 1944 Colt M1911A1 in good shape I'd be all over it for $500!

Earlier 1911's (I forget the cutoff year) have serial numbered slides and frames. The slide serial number is located behind the firing pin stop. This is what he means by "numbers matching".

colt matched serial numbers on the slide with receivers behind firing pin stop starting with Serial 710,001 thru 1,140,000 .......

Posted: 6/12/2015 8:49:21 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
WWII 1911s have increased in value in the last few years. Even a refinished, mixmaster fetches $750+

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Exactly.....mixmasters are are actually $1000 and up with a numbers matching Colt in decent shape starting around $2000 with correct parts, barrel etc

Posted: 6/12/2015 11:20:44 AM EDT

[#12]

Thank you all for the info. I have done a bunch of research. This 1911 I'm buying Saturday is made by Colt in 1944.it has the G.H.D ordinance mark not left to right but vertical by the slide release. It's not in pristine shape but it's amazingly detailed. I can't wait to put it in my collection. It's my first WW2 collectible.

Posted: 6/13/2015 9:29:22 PM EDT

[#13]

Well I gave the guy $500 bucks. We did the tranfer this morning. I can pick it up on the 23rd. Gotta love KommieFornia gun jail. I will post some pics here shortly. I'm very excited. Thank all you guys for the help. I know I got a smoking deal!

When I get it I would like to clean it good. Could I screw up the patina on it with just regular gun cleaning products? Is there anything I should NOT do?

Thanks again

Posted: 6/14/2015 4:45:16 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well I gave the guy $500 bucks. We did the tranfer this morning. I can pick it up on the 23rd. Gotta love KommieFornia gun jail. I will post some pics here shortly. I'm very excited. Thank all you guys for the help. I know I got a smoking deal!

When I get it I would like to clean it good. Could I screw up the patina on it with just regular gun cleaning products? Is there anything I should NOT do?

Thanks again

View Quote

Hey alright post some pics when you get her

Posted: 6/17/2015 6:51:42 PM EDT

[#15]

Well I don't get her out of Gun Jail till the 23rd, but heres some pics.

It needs a good cleaning. Sorry some of these pictures are not super detailed but you will get the idea of what I have!

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Posted: 6/18/2015 8:11:50 PM EDT

[#16]

That's a damn good lookin' gun!!!

Posted: 6/18/2015 8:14:58 PM EDT

[#17]

Thanks desertmoon I'm very excited to add it to my collection. So the $500 I spent was a good deal right?

Posted: 6/18/2015 8:32:29 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks desertmoon I'm very excited to add it to my collection. So the $500 I spent was a good deal right?

View Quote

Understatement of the week.

Nice looking example at a smokin' price.

Posted: 6/21/2015 5:14:43 PM EDT

[#19]

Man, wish I could find something like that, all matching!

Great find and amazing deal!!

Posted: 6/25/2015 6:21:30 AM EDT

[#20]

Well here she is. I gave her internals a thorough cleaning. She is smooth like butter. More detailed pictures later

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Posted: 6/25/2015 12:52:16 PM EDT

[#21]

what a smoking deal
congrats on the nice looking weapon

Posted: 6/26/2015 8:33:23 AM EDT

[#22]

You snagged that for about 1/3 to 1/4 what it is worth! Great ! Keep in mind slides on ww 2 1911A1's were not fully heat treated so if you elect to shoot it put a greasy recoil spring in and stick with light target loads just strong enough to run the gun

Posted: 6/26/2015 8:42:19 AM EDT

[#23]

Captain127,

Thanks for the info. I had not heard that I'm learning more every day.

Any info on what would be a good load? I'm going to Montana next week and plan on carrying it when we are trough fishing.

Should I shoot it all?

Thanks again!

Posted: 6/26/2015 9:06:15 AM EDT

[#24]

Holy shit $500?!? Congrats OP, well done! I'm jealous.

Posted: 6/26/2015 4:12:15 PM EDT

[#25]

There is debate on if you should shoot a collectible at all. I have pistols that date to the 1880's that I still shoot ( with proper care and loads they hold up fine) but you never know which round will be the one that damages something. Your call really. Plenty of ww 2 and even one era guns still chugging along.
If you reload the lightest load you can work up that still functions the gun if you do not then federal gold medal 185 wadcutters would be my choice but certainly nothing heavier than standard 230 grain ball

Posted: 6/26/2015 10:58:41 PM EDT

[#26]

Captain,

Thanks for the info. After cleaning I realize it's in amazing shape internally. Everything is tight, nothing looks worn out.. it's rifling is crisp and not worn at all. I don't think he shot it much unless he "had to use it"

I will be careful with it.

Thanks again.

My son has a Colt collector I'm taking it to to be looked at in Montana next week. I'll let you all know what he says