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AR15.COM
4/4/2009 5:47:44 AM EDT
A friend of mine has a Colt 1911 that was given to him by his grandmother.  According to the dates on the slide, it appears to have been in both world wars.  I had a chance to briefly look at the gun and its got some wear (as would be expected) but overall its in amazing condition.  I told him to email me all of the stuff that's written anywhere on the gun ––- if I post that info here, would you guys mind helping me figure out what it may be worth?  I'm somewhat interested in buying it myself, assuming I can afford it, but I'm mostly trying to avoid him going into a gun store and being given $1500 for a $3000 pistol.

Thanks.
4/4/2009 5:58:50 AM EDT
[#1]
post the first 3 digits of the serial number, it can be identified that way. Post a picture if you can.
4/4/2009 6:06:52 AM EDT
[#2]
According to the dates on the slide, it appears to have been in both world wars.


These will give you vague idea of when it was made, not whether it was even a military gun, much less in both wars.  

If you want any useful advice, several very detailed photos from all angles will be necessary, and also all markings on it, including what is on the frame around the trigger, barrel itself, slide when off the gun and viewed underneath, and the firing pin stop.  Even one non-original part is going to drop value considerably from the "thousands" range.  

But if he does have the real deal, then we can help him ID what he does have.  Value and originality guesses are just not possible without detailed photos.
4/4/2009 6:07:45 AM EDT
[#3]
The dates on the slide are patent dates.
4/4/2009 10:16:10 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:

The dates on the slide are patent dates.



+1

Highly unlikely this gun was in "both world wars", IMO. Not to say it couldn't have happened, but unlikely.

4/4/2009 10:23:21 AM EDT
[#5]
Post the info and I'll look it up in the blue book.
4/5/2009 10:07:05 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks guys.  From him:

––
Right side of slide says “Model of 1911.U.S.Army”

Right side frame says” United States Property”

Under that it says “ No XX0796”

Left side of slide says “Patented APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902( then the big Colt horse) Colt’s PT.F.A.MFG.CO”

Next line says “ Dec.19,1905.Feb 14,1911.Aug 19,1913         (then the rest of the Colt) Hartford, CT. U.S.A”

On left side frame above the magazine release button it has maybe “S/8” (hard to read)
––

I'll ask him for pics if the above doesn't get me anywhere.
4/6/2009 5:50:13 AM EDT
[#7]
actually the first 3 of the serial number was what was needed lol
4/6/2009 6:07:54 AM EDT
[#8]
This should help
1911 mfg dates
4/10/2009 4:10:51 PM EDT
[#9]
162mb of extremely high res pics here.  Its still uploading as I write this so give the link some time to populate all the pics.

I included the holster it came with (don't know anything about the holster but its got a US logo and other interesting stuff on it)

4/11/2009 10:39:00 AM EDT
[#10]
Bump?  Is there a dedicated 1911 site where this would do better?
4/11/2009 11:33:19 AM EDT
[#11]
1911 forum

try that out.  although the link with the SN and manufacturer dates should help you out.