An old war horse... for your Colt Caliber 45 enjoyment. REALLY large pictures.

[TGO David]

This specimen belongs to my father in law. It was his grandfather's and was carried as a service pistol either in WWI or WWII. He could not recall what he was told, perhaps someone with more knowledge of such things can shed some light.

Regardless, this old war horse has clearly seen some years. Enjoy.

[Daniel]

Just looking at the thing I would say WWI. It doesnt have the A1 modifications.

[cannoncocker]

It appears to be a Colt commercial 1911. One of 15,000 made in 1919.

[Guest bkelm18]

It appears to be a Colt commercial 1911. One of 15,000 made in 1919.

If that's the case, it couldn't have been carried in WWI.

[Daniel]

But it could have been carried personally in WWII.

[jeremy155rr]

I thought the earlier versions had an arched mainspring housing, or was that before the '1911' actually was used for service? I'm just curious, I have no idea... Either way, its a nice piece of history! Nice pics too, that second one is definately frameable.

Edited July 26, 2010 by jeremy155rr

[Daniel]

[jeremy155rr]

ahhh, thanks Daniel, the google is strong with you.

[c.a.willard]

The serial number marks it as manufactured in 1915, so obviously in the right time frame for WW1 the Navy and USMC kept pretty good records of conract purchases they bought in serial number sets. The Army grabbed up 1911's in a way different manner. honestly this coould have been used in either confrontation, the best way would be figure out the time period for his grandfathers service. Im in aggreance though that no A-1 modifications means its probably WW1, beautiful weapon and a great peice of history. Id look into that holster too, there some what datable and often rarer than the periods firearms.

[Moped]

Nice! Your father-in-law has a real great piece of history there. Even if it proves not to have been used in WWI! Your family is fortunate!!!

[Guest 6.8 AR]

That's a beautiful old gun, David.

[gregintenn]

A fine example of a classic handgun and woth quite a wad as well. Thanks for sharing.

[MacGyver]

That's an awesome piece of family history. Super cool!

[Guest jackdm3]

I love the #2 pic in sepia. Is that a crazy odd lanyard ring/loop?

[Guest WWIIfanatic]

ah my kind of stuff lol. it look like a M1911 not A1 because it doesn't have the cutouts around the trigger guard and the handle. nor does it have as long a hammer or as large of a trigger. but the finish is not a flat black military finish unlike a civilian model which would be blued. so i kinda doubt it was in service unless it was his personal M1911 or it was refinished but based on the wear i dont think it was the latter, sorry. the M1911A1 wasn't made until 1924 so this is easily a WWI pistol. thats a nice mantique.

Edited July 26, 2010 by WWIIfanatic

[leroy]

It's a great thing! Thanks for posting the pictures.

Kind regards,

Leroy

[TGO David]

Silly ancillary question, but do any of you guys have a clue what a firearm like this would be worth?

[Defender]

Not being a 1911 owner, I was somewhat surprised to see the word "caliber" spelled in the European manner "calibre" on this gun. Nice gun, and even nicer pics. I agree that #2 is frameable.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Silly ancillary question, but do any of you guys have a clue what a firearm like this would be worth?

Just knowing I had my hands on a piece of history, it's age and

your being able to put a name of the person on it would make it

valuable enough for me to keep it. Based on that, it's probably

worth more than a collector would pay, to me.

[Guest Halfpint]

According to the most recent Blue Book info I have at the shop, it breaks down like this . . .

60% = $750

70% = $1,000

80% = $1,200

90% = $1,850

95% = $2,750

98% = $3,750

Personal experience selling a lot of WWII and earlier 1911's, I'd ballpark it at $1,500-$2,000 fairly easily, though it might bring more.

Awesome piece of history, man. Truly a beautiful example.

[gregintenn]

$3-$5 grand would be my guess, assuming it is all original.

[Mike.357]

have the cutouts around the trigger guard

scallops

[Farman]

It appears to be a Colt commercial 1911. One of 15,000 made in 1919.

I found this info on serial #s, Colt 1911 .45 ACP Production Statistics and Serial Numbers

Colt Commercial Production: Govt. Model:1912 to 1981

Model 1911

Serial Numbers Date Number Made

S/N C1 to C1899 1912 1899

S/N C1900 to C5399 1913 3500

S/N C5400 to C16599 1914 11,200

S/N C16600 to C27599 1915 11,000

S/N C27600 to C74999 1916 47,400

S/N C75000 to C98999 1917 24,000

S/N C99000 to C105999 1918 7000

S/N C106000 to C120999 1919 15,000

S/N C121000 to C126999 1920 6000

S/N C127000 to C128999 1921 2000

S/N C129000 to C129999 1922 1000

S/N C130000 to C133999 1923 4000

Edited July 30, 2010 by Farman

[Magiccarpetrides]

Thanks for sharing....thats a really cool looking cannon.