So Dad asks me to take a gun back home with me...

[Grampa]

...and he brings out a Colt model 1911. No really, a military, pre -WWII 1911 Colt, serial number 758XX. It's never been modified that I can tell, and the barrel is shot. The bluing isn't bad, and it has aftermarket grip panels.

So, where do I look up the serial number to find out when it was made?

 

[Old Fuff]

The serial number range 72,571 through 83,855 Was assigned to Springfield Arsenal on December 27,1912 and production at the Arsenal started shortly thereafter. At the time Springfield Arsenal (not to be confused with "Springfield Armory," a current day commercial company) was co-producing 1911 pistols along with Colt. Uncle Sam bought them, with one magazine, fpr $7.50 each. The slide should be marked "Springfield Armory" and "U.S.A." on the left side. If the grips were replace with the correct pattern you would have a valuable collectors' item that was still a good shooter. Don't alter it in any way that can't be reversed and keep all of the original parts.

 

[Kruzr]

http://www.gun.in.th/gun1911sn.htm

Looks like it was made in 1914.

You might be able to find out more about it and its value by asking about it here:

http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/pistol/pistol.pl?

 

[Grampa]

Hmmm.... This may be pieced together, then. The frame is stamped "United States Property" on one side, and the "No 758XX" on the other, and a stamping that looks like a bottle with flames coming out neck. The slide has "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY" on one side of the slide, and "PATENTED APR 20. 1897 SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911" and "COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." and has the prancing horse stamp on the other side.

 

[Kruzr]

Any other initials on the gun?

 

[Grampa]

Not really. The barrel is stamped "COLT 45 AUTO" and there is an "H" on the back of the slide just above where the hammer strikes the firing pin. I haven't taken the grips off, and it's filthy inside so I can't see anything on the inside of the frame or slide. I'll start scrubbing it.

 

[Kruzr]

H: Provisional acceptance mark. Located on top of frame by disconnector indicates gun inspected by Ordinance Inspector. Stamped before finish applied. Francis L. Hosmer used this stamp on Colts 1911s and M1917 revolvers from 1911 to 1919. Also found on barrels and slides.

http://coolgunsite.com/pistols/Frame and Slide Markings.htm

 

[Grampa]

Kruzr-

Good information. Thanks!

It has the Augusta Armory rebuild stamp on it. The slide stop looks newer than the rest of the gun, so that would explain that.

Sounds as if this one is a shooter. Thanks for the links.

 

[Kharn]

fpr $7.50 each

And 90 years later, the price is 100 times higher.
What I would give for a time machine and the current value of my (meager) savings account in gold or precious stones...


Kharn

 

[dsk]

You have a Colt slide on a Springfield frame. The barrel is a later replacement. If the "Colt 45 Auto" is down near the lower lug it's a WW2 Colt barrel. If on the top of the chamber hood it's either a post-war contract unit or a commercial barrel.