Norwegian Colt 1911

[SW CQB 45]

I am tasked with gun dispositions at my dept.

I came across a well used and tarnished Norwegian Colt 1911 marked 1942. (I say Colt, it does not have Colt anywhere on it. I am basing that on what I read in the internet)

I am just curious, if this gun was made in 1942 in German controlled Norway and there is no import stamp on the gun,

how did it make it here to the US? (Was import laws part of the Gun Control Act in 68?)

I don't have the details why we possess it and the gun functions (rough) however the barrel rifling is very thin. the rear sight is off center and it is missing the lanyard loop on the MSH.

it is wearing pachmyers that are worn smooth in some areas.

Sorry, I did not snap a photo.

thanks in advance

 

[Trooperdan]

Yep. import markings were required as part of the GCA of 1968, not before.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Working from memory only here, so no definitive information on dates or model designations. Norway adopted the Colt 1911-style pistol shortly after WW1 and produced the pistols on Colt-provided machinery under license from Colt prior to WW2, with production continuing under Nazi occupation during WW2. Overall production was, at most, several thousand pistols. These started showing up in the US during the 1960's. They are essentially the same as the pre-1911A-1 commercial Colts and all parts are interchangable. Relatively rare and somewhat desirable for collectors, with condition (including all original parts, etc) being the primary consideration for value.

Colt's actively marketed the product and made every effort to set up production facilities in countries that wanted to produce these pistols under license (and pay royalties under those licenses). Norway was one taker, Argentina was another (the Argentine version was essentially a copy of the later M1911A-1).

I apologize for not providing more definitive information, but this is all easily found on various websites. Hopefully this information will lead you to more informative sources.

 

[2152hq]

Import markings were mandated as of the '86 Crime Bill. That law once again allowed Military Surplus arms to begin to be imported into the USA
They had been banned from importation since the passage of the GCA ';68. Antique pre- 1899 excepted of course.
One of hypocrisys of the whole thing seemed to be that one of the few surplus rifles seen imported after that law passed were some certain Italian Carcanos.

Sporting Arms could still come into the USA after '68,,if they made the definition of 'sporting'.
One reason the 'point system' for handgun importation came into being in '68 and so many smaller pistols like the PPk didn't make it.

Everything imported,,sporting and Mil Surplus, had to be 'Import Marked' as of the '86 law.

The Norway "Colt" was never plentiful here. A few bring back guns from WW2 primarily. Many are WaffenAmpt marked as some were made when Germany occupied that country. It was a secondary issue sidearm for the German forces so they could have shown up anywhere over there. But they were never plentiful.
I can remember a few surplus guns being sold in the magazine ads before '68 but never in great quantitys.
Why buy a Norwegian 45 for $25 when you could have a real Colt War gun for $35 anyway.
I can remember a couple done up as Bullseye guns too.
Hard to find a good condition original now. There are alot of variations too for the collectors.