My first 1911 is a 1943 Colt 1911A1

[bengal fan]

Hello all,
I wasn't looking for a 1911, but when I found this one the other day at a LGS I decided to bring it home with me
This is a arsenal 1943 Colt that was sent to Springfield Armory at some point. It has the matching P on the frame, slide & barrel, however it has a Remington Rand barrel & the slide does not # to the frame. The gun seems to be in good shape except for the idiot marks on the slide around the slide release pin. I realize from researching these Guns that the arsenal guns do not have the collectors interest & value as the all matching 1911's, but this is a cool gun none less that served during the War!
The gun came with this Sears holster also. I have tried to research it to see what's the value of this type holster, but prices seem to be all over. Any thoughts on value of holster?

I welcome any other info or observations you may have on this gun & thanks for looking!

 

[Rustyt1953]

I know "coveting" is wrong but I don't know what else to call it.

 

[Xfuzz]

The frame numbers match that of a Colt.
I don't recall numbers on the slide.
Looks like a solid Colt 1911 (1943) from
what I can tell.
The holster values at about a C note.

 

[italiansport]

Field strip the pistol and remove the firing pin retaining piece from the back of the slide. Push in the firing pin and it will just slide off but be careful as the f.p. is under spring pressure. The serial number of the slide should be underneath.
Jim

 

[Lee Barner]

colt quit numbering slides in the 1,130,000 range so if it doesn't have one it could be the original slide. nice pistol and getting hard to find in any condition. congratulations. sears saddlery was located in Iowa, Des Moines I think. lee

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Springfield Armory rebuilt/refurbished pistol, typical of the post-WW2 period (primarily after Korea and through the 1960's). The armories and depots involved in the program typically disassembled all of the pistols received, checked each part for wear, replaced anything requiring it, and reassembled the pistols with no effort to keep it original. Pistols then went to depots for storage and re-issue as needed by various active or reserve units, sent out as foreign aid, and many were eventually sold as surplus during the 1960's and 1970's (price was about $20.00 per back then, inside a cardboard box with VPI paper wrapping).

Not unusual to see these pistols with frame by one maker, slide by another, barrel by another, and small parts from every conceivable source. Even S&W got into the contracting, providing barrels with heavily chrome-lined bores (I have a couple) for the rebuilds. Most (but not all) were marked on the frame with initials of the armory doing the rebuild (Springfield Armory = SA, Augusta Armory = AA, etc).

Sears Saddlery was one of several companies making the M1916 Dismounted Holster during WW2. Should have a leather-covered wooden stiffener on the interior (although many were removed by the troops).

Values will depend on the buyers. The pistol as shown should probably bring $800 or so, but there are those out there who will pay more. Holster, assuming it is complete and unaltered, probably $75 to $100 or so.

 

[dmar]

Nice find Bengal Fan, that's a nice looking GI Colt! I'm not an expert, but I don't believe that slide stop is original, as I believe that year Colt should be checkered.

Here's a picture of my 1943 Colt. Not a great photo, but the gun is in very nice condition and it is supposed to be a matching/"correct" gun. I know the slide matches the frame, and has the right barrel, etc...

I really don't know the value of it, I bought it several years ago when the market was fairly high... I've also got a Boyt holster for it.

I also have a nice matching Remington Rand, but like the Colt better. You really can't go wrong with any decent Colt GI 1911, they seem to keep good values. I hope you enjoy shooting yours. How does the bore look...? BTW, my RR has the slotted slide stop like your gun.

 

[bengal fan]

Thanks to everyone for your info & opinions! The slide is serial# but doesn't match the frame. The bore is in exceptional shape.
I'm looking forward to taking it out shooting real soon!

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the purchase

 

[Watchdog]

That's a nice looking pistol.

I'm curious...why do you say it has a Remington Rand barrel? And are there any markings on the floor plate or toe tab of the magazine?

I also have that same Sears holster, almost like new, except mine doesn't have the rawhide thong with it. I'm seeing them go for $100 and up now.

 

[jculloden]

Your's and mine are 1075 serial #s apart 1186611

Pretty much same shape except for frame idiot dings, I haven't it shot in 20 years

Enjoy,, they are getting hard and expensive to find

 

[scott1970]

That is a handsome old warhorse!

I've been fortunate over the years to be able to own a variety of firearms, but I've only ever had one that absolutely ain't for sale, It happens to be a Colt 1911 from 1943 with matching slide and frame which never got arsenal overhauled. On top of that, I got to meet the man who carried it during WWII in England, France, Holland, and Germany. He was allowed to return home with his Colt 1911. We had some very personal conversations about WWII. I watched tears run down his cheeks as he told me of the horrors he experienced during WWII. I cherish the time we spent together as much as I do his Colt.

Capt. Hammer was called back up as a Major about the time of the Korean War. He took the same Colt 1911 with him during the Korean War while he was stationed in Japan. He remained in the military and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He kept the Colt 1911 and his original WWII holster until I ended up with it.

It's a poor picture, but here is Maj. Hammer's original Colt 1911, the holster he carried it in during WWII, and his Korean War era foot locker. He died a few years ago. I get his Colt 1911 out about once a year and clean it.

 

[italiansport]

Considering the amount of carry this pistol saw it appears to still be in excellent condition.
Jim

 

[gmborkovic]

made me break out my 6 1911A1. Just to appreciate them more. Bought them back in the 1960s. Nice gun. Mike 2796

 

[scott1970]

Considering the amount of carry this pistol saw it appears to still be in excellent condition.
Jim

It has a far amount of finish wear on the slide from sitting in the holster for decades and decades. His family wasn't interested in his WWII guns which included a 1920s era civilian Luger surrendered to him at the close of the war and a genuine MP40 he brought back and amnesty registered in 1969. Go figure.

 

[bengal fan]

That's a nice looking pistol.

I'm curious...why do you say it has a Remington Rand barrel? And are there any markings on the floor plate or toe tab of the magazine?

I also have that same Sears holster, almost like new, except mine doesn't have the rawhide thong with it. I'm seeing them go for $100 and up now.

The barrel has a HS stamp on one side & a P on the other. I thought that signified it was a Remington Rand barrel, I might be wrong.
The magazine has no markings on it.

 

[scott1970]

I have to know if you've shot it yet. If so, how do you like it? If only these old guns could talk.

I keep looking back over the pictures you posted. That really is a very nice old WWII 1911. Congratulations on the acquisition.

 

[bengal fan]

I have to know if you've shot it yet. If so, how do you like it? If only these old guns could talk.

I keep looking back over the pictures you posted. That really is a very nice old WWII 1911. Congratulations on the acquisition.

I haven't shot it yet. I bought the gun on Saturday & when I got home I realized I didn't even own any 45 ammo. Im out of town this week for work, but plan on shooting it very soon. Thanks for the complements!

 

[shouldazagged]

I know "coveting" is wrong but I don't know what else to call it.

You could call it lust. I did.

 

[Cyrano]

The barrel has a HS stamp on one side & a P on the other. I thought that signified it was a Remington Rand barrel, I might be wrong.
The magazine has no markings on it.

The "P" means it was proof fired. HS is for High Standard, who made the barrel. Rem Rand didn't make barrels and most of them carried High Standard barrels, as did the Ithacas. Colts generally had Colt barrels.