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10-19-2020, 07:25 AM
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New to Me, Old Colt
As most know, I am a revolver guy. Mostly S&W, mostly N frame and predominantly 45 ACP. Well, this was given to me and it satisfies the 45 ACP part of my quirks.
It is a Commercial version of the 1911A1 pattern pistol. In my opinion it has a terrible trigger and sights so tiny they make the ones on the early 1917s look huge by comparison. But, that is the way they built them back then. I have been told it was built in 1933. Does not appear to have been fired much.
It does have a properly shaped hammer, in my opinion.
Kevin
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10-19-2020, 07:47 AM
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I'm not sure on the hammer, but I'm sure liking that pistol!!!! NICE
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10-19-2020, 07:55 AM
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If it has not been reblued (hard to tell from the pictures), you could buy several S&W's for what it is worth.
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10-19-2020, 08:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AJ
If it has not been reblued (hard to tell from the pictures), you could buy several S&W's for what it is worth.
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It kind of looks reblued, it could just be the picture quality but that pony on the right slab looks a little buffed out.....take it apart and have a good look.
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10-19-2020, 10:04 AM
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I don’t think it looks re-blued, but either way you’ve been given one heckuva fine pistol. Those tiny sights can be tough to use, but use it I would. The pre war commercial 1911’s are some of the finest ever built.
Dan
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10-19-2020, 10:40 AM
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Nice one. The serial does indeed place it in 1933.
As for reblued, the photo resolution isn’t high enough for a close look, but the edges on the writing look sharp from the distance, and the pony stamp is usually shallow and can look washed out in the wrong light. Based on these pictures I’d tend to say it’s original.
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10-19-2020, 10:57 AM
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Nice! It doesn't look reblued to me, doesn't have that "buffed" look. You have a winner right there.
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10-19-2020, 11:13 AM
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My first thought was that it was indeed reblued but regardless, it is one fine looking pistol that I would be proud to own. If all original, it is in fine shape and worth some bucks!
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10-19-2020, 11:27 AM
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10-19-2020, 11:53 AM
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That's a heck of a gift! If the finish is original, you were given a gun worth $4000-$5000. Better photos are definitely in order.
The edges look pretty good and the slide serrations aren't flattened, which is a telltale sign of a refinish. The lettering seems washed out, but that could just be the photo resolution.
Several things have me suspicious. The gun looks very dark and shiny, like it's been hot bluing. These pre-war Commercials were charcoal blued, which produces a mellower finish. I'm also concerned about these marks alongside the hammer. It could just be an allusion, but I seriously doubt damage like that (under the bluing) would have passed inspection.
Here's a 1925 Government Model (Commercial) for comparison purposes. It's has considerably more dings (and dust), but it is original:
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Last edited by s&wchad; 10-20-2020 at 05:35 AM.
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10-19-2020, 12:24 PM
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I am not sure if it is refinished. I am not fluent in Colt. I can work my way around S&W revolvers but self loaders, of any make, are foreign to me.
1911s and I have not gotten along well in the past. I get them and try to like them but 6-12 months later, they are gone.
Kevin
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Last edited by StrawHat; 10-19-2020 at 06:26 PM.
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10-19-2020, 01:17 PM
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Ask these guys. They will know for sure about it.
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10-19-2020, 01:38 PM
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Looks good and original to me. As for re-bluing or not, inspection of the lettering should tell - if crisp and sharp, you have a beautiful example of a pre-war Colt Government Model, and it's worth some serious money. The minor scratch near the hammer just shows it's been handled improperly once and is not factory new, but it looks like a 99% gun. A Colt collector would probably refinance a mortgage to have it!
John
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10-19-2020, 08:27 PM
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No matter what, it is a beauty. Love the beavertail hammer.
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10-19-2020, 08:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudi
No matter what, it is a beauty. Love the beavertail hammer.
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First time that I have ever heard it called a "beavertail hammer".
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10-20-2020, 06:45 AM
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I like that hammer also. Newer ones seem to be sliced from a stick of metal (a properly silhouetted stick of metal mind you) and lack the contours that make it appear graceful.
I installed a similar one on my Series 80.
Kevin
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10-20-2020, 06:50 AM
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Very nice.
That's one heck of a gift.
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