Essex frame and German slide 1911

[Don357]

Essex with German slide?

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I am considering a trade for a 1911. The guy says he has an Essex frame with a 'German' slide.I'm not real familiar with some of this 1911 stuff, but I did research Essex and found that at one time they did have a problem with soft metal but got that problem corrected later on. I also found out that Essex frames were supposedly quiet good with placement of pin holes (for safety, slide lock, etc.). And I also saw the the same old ..."if it ain't such and such, it ain't worth havin'". Any way, I'm not overly concerned about the frame, BUT, what's the deal on the German slide? I don't have any more info yet, other than it's German. Does anybody know about or even heard of 'German' made 1911 slides? Who makes them?
By the way, my part of the trade is a 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk .357mag with a 4x32 scope, valued at around $425+-. Does this sound like a fair trade?

 

[rcmodel]

I have probably built 20+ Essex frame guns over the years.
They are spotty quality.

One batch I got 30+ years ago had perfect pin hole placement, and everything else.
You could drop a set of GI parts in one and go shooting the same afternoon.

More recently, I got some that took three weeks of stoning to get everything to work right.

Then the last three I got 4-5 years ago were cast wrong on the back contour behind the frame rails and overhung the rear of the slides by about 3/16" inch.

As for a "German 1911 Slide"?
No such thing I ever heard of.

My advice is, beware.

A nice $500 Essex match gun with a "no name" slide on it is worth about $250 tops when you get ready to move it on down the road.

rc

 

[Canuck-IL]

As RC noted, Essex are hit'n'miss - more miss than one would like.

Not a reasonable trade for that Ruger, IMNSHO.
/Bryan

 

[Don357]

OK, many of you may call me crazy, but I'm satisfied, I think. I traded my 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk .357mag for a .45acp 1911A1 built on an Essex frame. I have yet to determine what kind of slide is on it, but I can tell it has been scrubbed or acid washed. There are no markings on it other than a serial number on the forward end of the left side and 2 tiny, what appear to be, Waffen eagles, on the left side just in front of the cocking serations. There is evidence of some engraving or markings on the forward end of the right side, but I can't make out what it is, or was. I disassembled and inspected it and everything looks good, no excessive or unusual wear, and the thing even cycles my 230gr Winchester White Box Personal Defence hollow points. I haven't taken it to the range yet to test accuracy, but I don't forsee any problem. I don't expect match grade, but I'll learn how it shoots and adapt to it.

 

[DPris]

Hi Don,
I'll take you up on your offer.
You're crazy.
And, it's not a 1911A1.
May be similar in appearance & function, but not a 1911A1.

Curious why you bothered to ask for help on this one when you paid no attention to it whatever.
If you're happy, then that's all that matters to you.
In my opinion, you cheated yourself pretty good on the deal.
Denis

 

[WC145]

Well, where's the pics? I'm curious to see it even though I gave you my opinion of the trade on another forum.

 

[Don357]

I haven't taken any pics yet, but will soon. I asked for info, advice, and opinions on several forums, and got varied answers from all and appreciate every answer. I took each one into consideration, and examined the gun before making my decision, and am satified with the trade. No regrets. You all helped me very much, thanks.

 

[DPris]

I seriously doubt that slide was made in Germany. Never heard of such a thing.
You have a parts gun with much less value than the one you traded for it.
But, if you can enjoy it...
Denis