1911 Drake Mfg National Match slide

Looking through old boxes of parts that I intend to offer for sale, I came across a 1911A1 slide by Drake Manufacturing.

Researching the slide I find that it is rare and was built specifically for the Camp Perry competitions. This slide was only produced in 1964 and there were only 800 of them build, 195 sold to the civilian market.

It appears to me to have never been fired, but the outside "skin" is discolored and rusty. I don't believe it has any pits in the surface, just light rust.


I am headed this afternoon to a gunsmith to verify that the part is exactly what I think it is and if it is indeed in the condition I think it is and if it is a viable part for a gun.

It is in the original box.

My questions include:

Does anyone know if this slide was produced and sold WITHOUT being part of a gun? Since it is in a box........?

Was there only 800 slides made or was that totally assembled guns with additional slides manufactured for replacements etc.?

Given my descriptions above, what do you think the slide is worth?

Any one interested in purchasing it?

Here are some pics.

I have now let a professional gunsmith examine the slide and he tells me that it is 100% viable. In his opinion, the slide shows where a gunsmith started to fit it to a frame, but for some reason, it was never finished. He said that he would not hesitate to fit it to a gun and would expect it to be an excellent project.

The discoloration is because these parts were never finished originally. The were built especially for the 1964 National Match and not for looks. The slide does have some surface rust, but no apparent pitting. Otherwise it is in good condition.

I am uploading some pics if I can figure out how...

ApacheCoTodd said:

Does it have a drawing number on the left side?

Click to expand...

The right side of the slide is stamped, "Drake Mfg. Corp.". The left side is stamped, "NM 7791435".

I cannot find any other stamps on the metal.

However, there is a spot on the rounded part on the underneath of the front of the slide and a corresponding spot inside at the rear of the slide. Both spots appear to be in some kind of red colored shellac with the number "17" scratched in the shellac.

Hope this helps.

Ron

My slide is, except for the obvious discoloration on the metal surface, identical to the one on your gun.

That having been determined, since you apparently are familiar with this piece, do you have any recommendations where I would find out if there is a market for my slide and what is its value?

Thanks,
Ron