Barbecue 1911 for Christmas.

No advice to offer - but that is just stunning.

It's a Colt or at least the frame is.

If it had been stainless steel I would have said it was a custom Colt G.I. Match. But since it's blued, I can't tell.

In my opinion it is very beautiful and sufficiently sober that it cannot be defined exactly as a barbecue 1911. Even the grips, although showy, have been chosen well: they look very good on the gun.

It's a nice, nice, nice Christmas present from your dad. Congratulations.

Would I shoot it? Probably not.

All of my guns are shooters regardless their history or embellishment. But not everyone would agree.

BOARHUNTER

Years ago, I did see stainless and blue Government models with Bomar sights. I think they were a run commissioned by a distributor. IIRC, they were originally matte finished, and other than the sights, standard Colts. Your engraved example with the ivory grips is pretty neat in any case.

I don't see how not firing it would have any particular significance. I'd shoot it

That's a beautiful gun. The thought of having a perfectly functional firearm and not shooting it makes me sad. Especially as that one a adorned with the eagle, globe, and anchor on the grips. On the other hand, those emblems may stick out far enough to make shooting it uncomfortable.

I will not opine as to whether you should shoot it or not but that is a very nice looking pistol.

Colt made hundreds of special editions so it’s difficult to say. Looks to be based on a Series 70 with Bomar sights and a long rather than short trigger. Unless you’re looking to sell it, no reason not to shoot it. Someone reading “Special Edition” may bid it up considerably but I don’t consider most of these collectibles. A call to Colt may clear things up.

Hmmmm, according to Colt's serial number lookup, the frame was made in 2000.

Thats not an Ordnance Dept. flaming bomb stamp on the RH side of the trigger guard is it? Also kinda looks like it could be a stylized number 8......

Its a beautiful gun in any case.

Looking at the serial number the gun comes up as a Model 1991A1 manufactured during 2000. Problem is that does not fit with 80s manufacture. Really like the grips and finish. The grips because I am a former Marine.

Ron

Should you shoot it?
Maybe ask your dad. Ask him how he feels about it. If he bought it to be one day gifted to his son, maybe he would love to see you shoot it.
Very nice BTW. Love the EGA grips.

The advice to check with Colt is well taken; their heritage service is 1st class.
It's not the Hitler Walther or the Lincoln derringer; shooting it a bit should hurt nothing. Extensive carry is another matter.
Moon

Shoot it. Here is my BBQ gun that is a shooter:

Probably worth getting a custom holster for it, if only to show it off.

SHOOT IT!

It’s like a 80’s Buck Grand National that was never was driven. You’re not going to hurt the value!

I take it that your father was a Marine. If you are/were one also, put it away and give it to your Marine son ... or grandson. It would be a special pistol in my family.

In the photo, you can read "..Hartford CT". Colt was probably the only major gun manufacturer located there (?).

I would certainly shoot it, and might consider -despite the cool Marine symbol- put some sort of repro USMC (or repro "DoD") grips on it, even if the rear sights on this civilian gun are not at all what the USMC etc used on 1911s.

But I know hardly anything about 1911s, despite my regular shooting buddy owning about five.

Trey Veston

A beautiful, and I would add tastefully engraved, Colt 1911. A most excellent gift from your father!

I would shoot it but probably replace those grips before heading out to the range.

Let us know how good it shoots!

Shame to have nice target sights like that on it and not find out how accurate it is.

Beautiful gun, good luck with it!

Trey, That is a fine looking firearm for sure. Tell Dad and extra thank you!!!

Like your dad's style.
Take him to the range and both shoot it.

Very nice pistol and good shooting.
Well, it isn't a Gold Cup. It probably started life as a standard model Colt. Whoever did the mods probably polished off the slide markings and added the sights. Unless the work was done by Colt or one of a few "name" smiths, its just a very nice custom Colt and worthy of any barbeque status as well as a special shooter. Congrats!