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Post by TA on Nov 11, 2009 14:41:47 GMT -5
A friend of my parents brought in a few guns that he wanted to get rid of. I snatched a few of them for my collection. This appears to be a 1939 Colt 1911A1. Not too bad of shape for a 60 year old gun. The grips are walnut, but I believe the original pistol came with plastic grips. Looks to be the original finish. It came with two parkerized, unmarked magazines and a "U.S." leather holster dated 1945.   |
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Post by Callahan on Nov 11, 2009 15:55:20 GMT -5
Wow, she does indeed have some character!Those modern grips look a bit out of place, but maybe you can find some originals online or at a show. I bet DA knows where...
I would have snapped that old girl up, too, and I don't even own a 1911!
Now the big questions:
Have you field-stripped it and checked the bore and other parts, safety check, etc.?
If it checks out, will ya shoot it?
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Post by TA on Nov 11, 2009 16:34:36 GMT -5
The gun was dry as a bone, so the first thing I did was removed the grips, field stripped it and gave it a bath in CLP. The bore looks great and it passed safety checks. I figure I can't hurt anything by shooting it. It will need an original set of grips if I can find them at a good price.
I was amazed at how easy this loosey goosey pistol came apart. I have been working with new guns for the past several years which take a little attention to get apart and back together without goofing up the finish. I think I could do this one in the dark.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Nov 11, 2009 16:52:05 GMT -5
TA, I looks better that any 1911 I've seen lately. I have a weakness for Vintage Classics. That one seems to be a heirloom condition.
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Post by TA on Nov 11, 2009 19:35:40 GMT -5
I also got a Springfield 1903 from this same individual. It dates at 1918 and is just ahead of the bad serial numbers for safe shooting. The walnut stock is excellent, but the bore is pretty frosty. I am going to clean it as best I can and then run a few rounds through it. Then clean it again. That sometimes will bring a bore back somewhat.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Nov 11, 2009 21:24:07 GMT -5
TA; You lucky stiff !!!!!! I would like to see the other one too !!
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Post by MLB on Nov 12, 2009 9:59:58 GMT -5
I'm sure you could fabricate a set of period grips for it. We've seen your work...
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Post by TA on Nov 23, 2009 11:24:04 GMT -5
As it turns out, I mistakenly found this to be a 1939 model, but when I posted it up on the 1911 forums, they tell me it is a Circa 1917 M1911. I am working on getting the correct grips, hammer and slide stop.
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Post by Callahan on Nov 23, 2009 14:32:48 GMT -5
Wow. She did have a pretty salty look to it. Take good care of her, she's investment grade.
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Post by 5ontarget on Nov 24, 2009 8:03:03 GMT -5
Nice one!! Even more so with the updated info.
Some people have all the luck! I always hear about these great deals people get/find. I'm not as lucky. A couple years back a friend of mine picked up a matching P08 (Luger) bringback from the vets wife for $50. She just wanted the gun out of the house...He offered more, but she declined.
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Post by Callahan on Nov 24, 2009 14:18:58 GMT -5
I don't know what happened to my uncle's P38 Luger. He's gone now. He gave me two rifles but hung on to the pistol.
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Post by TA on Dec 2, 2009 14:31:07 GMT -5
I tracked down correct era grips, hammer and slide stop. The 1/2 cock notch doesn't catch with this hammer, so if I decide to shoot it, I will change the hammer back or just load one round per mag...just to be safe.   |
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Post by Callahan on Dec 2, 2009 15:16:37 GMT -5
It's really great that you were able to do that. I guess there a so many 1911 parts available it may not be a big a task as I thought it would be. What a great collectible. You should keep that in your family for future generations.
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