I have a .45 auto with a frame serial number of C217xxx (Colt commercial number series). This number is not supposed to exist, since Colt discontinued commercial production in 1942 with s/n C215018, and resumed in 1946 with s/n C220001.

I learned today, from an apparent expert at a gun show, that this is one of the ersatz receivers produced in Vietnam in the early 1960's. They picked a serial number range that would not conflict with the Colt numbers. Anybody else heard this?

I bought this gun, used, in 1968 at a gun shop in Texas, so I have no further provenance on it. (When I bought it, it had a Remington-Rand slide with Micro adjustable sights, and a mismatched National Match barrel.) The receiver seems generally well-made. The rails show evidence of welding and re-machining -- possibly an accurizing job -- and there is an internal crack in the magazine well at the top of the slot for the trigger (no sign of a crack on the outside of the gun).

Any opinions on this? Do I have anything worthwhile or is it junk?