I'm in the Market For A Vintage M1911 Frame

[CmdrSlander]

I'm real history buff so I want to have a special custom M1911 built using a frame from an M1911 that was made during WWI or WWII and likely (though I know one cannot be sure) saw combat use. I only want the frame, as I don't want to buy and then 'butcher' a complete classic GI M1911 of that vintage by taking its frame and building a custom gun on top of it. I could never comfortably use a GI M1911 because of the minuscule sights, so my intent is to take a GI M1911 frame (the serial numbered part, arguably the soul of the gun) and build a fairly modern gun (big sights, front and rear serrations, flat top slide, etc.) on top of it. I hope to create a gun that is fully modern and practical for EDC and home defense as well as target shooting, thereby giving the gun a new lease on life and, in my hands and those of my descendants, another 80+ years of service.

Anyway, all I want is a stripped frame from a WWI or WWII era M1911. My gunbroker searches turned up naught so where else should I look?

 

[TonyT]

You may find what you are looking for at a local gun show. It would be easier to find a slide and barrel than a frame. Most people have kept the slide with the frame and I would not expect you to be able to find the frame alone very readilly.
When I needed a frame for installation of a Marvel 22 top I wound up purchasing an old WWII 1911. I still have the 45ACP barrel and slide from that frame.