Posted: 6/27/2013 10:29:17 AM EDT
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I just traded for a Colt 1911 that the gentleman thought was produced in the early 1990's, but after looking it over closely and looking up the serial number it does not appear to be so.
the pistol is marked on the frame "government model" under that is serial number c236xxx the slide is marked on theleft side colt mfg. co. hartford ct. u.s.a. the right side is marked COLT automatic calibre .45 then has the colt horse. from what i can tell is serial number shows to be 1948 production, but the pistol looks too new, roll markings are all very good with no wear, finish on the flats of the frame and slide are polished blue with rounds being matte blue. no 80 series safety, short trigger standard hammer and beavertail safety, and the grip that were supposedly original to the gun are keyes plastic grip with a 26 casting number. Were there any guns recently produced to copy the older ones, and were serial numbers re-used? |
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This should help. Helped me find out when my Colt was made.
http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm ETA: I don't know if I'm looking at it right but it says S/N C232000 to C238500 – 1948 |
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The key information is the serial number. The "C" prefix was used only on commercial guns, military serials started with "No.".
There have been reproduction models of earlier Colt's made by Colt, mostly of the WWI Model 1911 and the WWII Model 1911-A1. The "Series 70" guns Colt is making are not even exact replicas of the 1960's and 70's Colt's. The reproductions are not EXACT replicas and are easy to identify as reproductions. No serial numbers have been re-used since, A. Colt never did that, and B. it's against Federal law to do so. Each gun must have a unique serial number. C236XXX was made in 1948. So, you either have a commercial 1948 Colt that was given loving care and little use, OR the gun has been given a top quality refinish. If it's in original condition with original finish, it's worth a good bit of money. A Colt commercial made between 1946 and 1950 in 95% original condition would be worth at least $1,700 and possible more. |
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another thing i have noticed is that the c prefix is bigger and deeper than the rest of the serial number
aso the gun is not exactly pristine, if you examine it closely you can see very fine scratches and tiny freckles in the flats of the slide and frame, but you have to hold it up to the light just right to see them, there is also a small amount of bluing loss on the front and rear of slide on the sharp corners, not much but a little. if it is original finish, and it appears to be (compared to other colts i have) then from other pics i have seen online it appears to be a 1948, (same slide markings, etc...) it just seems too good to be true that the previous owner did not know what he had? |
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can anyone tell if the font on the serial number looks correct, i have looked online and found a few pics, the font appears wrong for some earlier 1948 made pistols i have seen, but then all the 1949 pistols have the same font, does anyone know when that font changed?
I will be putting this up for sale, but i dont want to misrepresent what the pistol is, I want to be sure before i list it. |
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Purchased my 1911 for $250 about 1982, was imported by Interarms.
Was assembled from parts. Frame was made by Colt in 1933, C166xxx. Slide had a thin front site blade (1916), stamped "Policia De La Capital" from Argentina. Trigger group was fine, slide to frame fit was way loose. Peened the rails to fit. Brownell's is great for parts Installed extended slide release. Fitted a match barrel, barrel link, barrel bushing. Installed match sights (Wilson, I think) Had the frame and slide bead blasted, black anodized. Installed rubber Pachmayr grips. |
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So I took another look at the photos.
Does it look odd to anybody else that the font size and depth seems to change over the course of where it says "Government Model" Almost like it was buffed a bit harder near the end of it. Refinish maybe? Either way, it's a good looking gun. -Edit- looked at the pics again and the seriel number doesn't appear to be affected in the same way despite it's proximity to the other lettering. Strange |
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Quoted:
I just traded for a Colt 1911 that the gentleman thought was produced in the early 1990's, but after looking it over closely and looking up the serial number it does not appear to be so. the pistol is marked on the frame "government model" under that is serial number c236xxx the slide is marked on theleft side colt mfg. co. hartford ct. u.s.a. the right side is marked COLT automatic calibre .45 then has the colt horse. from what i can tell is serial number shows to be 1948 production, but the pistol looks too new, roll markings are all very good with no wear, finish on the flats of the frame and slide are polished blue with rounds being matte blue. no 80 series safety, short trigger standard hammer and beavertail safety, and the grip that were supposedly original to the gun are keyes plastic grip with a 26 casting number. Were there any guns recently produced to copy the older ones, and were serial numbers re-used? "Calibre"? That is what's stamped on the slide. Shouldn't it be "caliber"? Sly |
| I had a local gunsmith who is very familiar with colts look at it last night, it is indeed a late 1948 commercial, with all original parts on the gun, not refinished, in his opinion 95%+ NRA condition, he stated it is one of the nicest early colt commercials he has seen. He values it between 1800-2200. |
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Quoted:
I had a local gunsmith who is very familiar with colts look at it last night, it is indeed a late 1948 commercial, with all original parts on the gun, not refinished, in his opinion 95%+ NRA condition, he stated it is one of the nicest early colt commercials he has seen. He values it between 1800-2200. That is a very nice looking Colt. Looks like you might have hit the jackpot. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for this? |
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