Need Colt 1911 Expert

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Chipr62

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I am brand-new to the group. And I have a question. Can anybody recommend an expert in identifying a colt 1911 45 auto regarding serial number restamping. I have a four digit colt 1911 that appears to have been peened over and restamped. I called colt and they could not confirm that it was factory restamped.

Thanks in advance for anybody's help.
 
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That doesn't sound good. Why would a company or anybody legit peen out a serial number and then re-stamp it? Maybe a war time duffel bag bring back, are there any other markings on this Colt?
 
I have seen Lugers "Vopols" Russian capture guns from WWII. The Reds crossed out Nazi swastikas and re stamped serial numbers. Don't misunderstand me please. But are you 100% sure that your 1911 pistol is a real Colt? There were many made in Asia during the Vietnam War. They used some parts as well as their own.
 
The Norwegians made 1911's in Norway from 1919 through the mid 1930s. During the Nazi occupation, manufacture was started again and over 30,000 were made. Did they bear Nazi markings and were they later eradicated? No idea. But the point is, there were a lot of licensed and illegal copies of the 1911 made. Pictures of yours would certainly help narrow things down.
 
Assuming the OP is in the U.S., the law prohibits altering the serial number of a firearm except under some uncommon circumstances. Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number is otherwise a crime, no matter who did the alteration or when.

Norwegian 1914's were not German (Nazi) marked until 1945, almost at the end of the war. Only some 920 guns had the WaA84 stampiing, making them rather rare collectors' items.

Jim
 
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Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I did not know that "counterfeits" were made of these. I am hoping that it is not. As for pictures, the earliest I would be able to post would be this Friday. I will get those photos first thing Friday. This is a firery-blue 1911 manufactured in 1912. Purchased from Gunbroker, so if counterfeit, I will take the necessary action to get a refund. Have talked with ATF agent about this too, waiting for his response. Thanks to all for the info especially Jim K for his insight regarding the law. I will get those photos ASAP. Respectfully, Chip.
 
A 1912 gun rendered contraband by somebody mucking up the serial number would be a real loss.
I hope your ATF contact is helpful.
Post the GB ad number and we can see what it was offered as.
 
Getting photos up will help. There are experts out there that know exactly what a 4 digit serial number should look like.

If the serial number was peened and restamped the only assumption you can make is that the new low digit serial number probably isn't legit... why would someone go through the hassle of erasing the old serial number on a otherwise perfect gun and stamping a new serial number just to reuse the old serial number?
 
"Vopols"
Click to expand...

I think what you are referring to is "VoPo", which is short for the East German State Police known as the "VoPo" or Volks Polezi (i.e. State Police, National Police or People's Police).
 
Are you sure it is a Colt?

Are you sure it was made in America?

A friend of mine once bought a Polish-built Radom that looked interchangeable with an M1911 except it fired 9mm Luger cartridges.
 
I have a four digit colt 1911 that appears to have been peened over and restamped. I called colt and they could not confirm that it was factory restamped.
Click to expand...

Probably because it wasn't "factory restamped".

Can it be determined with certainty that Colt was the original manufacturer of the gun?

The United Stsyr didn't require serial numbers be stamped on guns prior to 1968, Before that, it was manufacturer's discretion. Are you sure the gun you havewasn't one of thosr re-imported to the United States after the law, but before thr 1960 vintg.
 
Best advice.

Get lots of pictures and head over the 1911forum.com and post them.

There are some VERY serious collectors over there. The sum total of 1911 knowledge lives at that forum.
 
Re-serial numbering guns was common before WWII. Harold Croft had RF Segley renumber his custom Colt .45s 1 through 4, and when Elmer Keith had a .44 Special made up by Segley, he had it renumbered 5, in Croft's honor.
 
It is a beautiful piece for sure, however I am very suspicious of the bluing. It does look re-blued to me. The Commercial C certainly doesn't match the suspect serial number. The Government on the frame looks polished also.
 
Looks awful shiny to me and some of the roll marks are thin.
C 4604 on Coltautos has the digits of the serial number much better aligned.
The guys on 1911forum can help.
If this is a big ticket item, it would pay you to have Scott Gahimer breathe on it. He seems to be the leading authenticator these days.
http://www.m1911info.com/
 
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