90 what condition colt 1911a1

[DaveJ]

A friend of mine told me about acolt 45 for sale and asked me the prices, I told him I did not know, do an on-line search. He said helooked it up in a couple value guides and picked it up. I mentioned that I had been looking for a WW2 military one and he said he would sell me this one at what he paid.
I did not know what to expect, and got my taxes back, decided, I am going to get something for me.
Well after I paid him and he brought it to me, I was shocked. I have learned a lot about 45s in the past couple days. This is a 1942 Colt, with match slide, colt marked and goverment contract stamped barrel,
Holy cow, I got a nice one for my collection.
I would guess it is 95 or better, what do you gun guys think?
What would you like to see to judge?
Enjoy,
Dave

[DaveJ]

other side

[DaveJ]

the clips were Vietnam era, but what the hey,

[DaveJ]

the top

[jdbwoodsman]

Your Colt 1911A1 is a very nice example and I want you to be aware of something before you start changing parts. Many Colts believed to be original guns in the 820,000 to 845,000 range have 1911 slidestops. It appears from the one photo yours has a 1911 slide stop. DON'T change that part because somebody tells you it's wrong. It's probably original and appears to be so from the photo. Your pistol should also have a COLT .45 AUTO marked bbl with G underside in front of the lug. Is the G an 1/8" high or 1/16" high? We call it large and small G's. Please take some more close up photos of that slidestop area, I'd like to see if the finish matches like it appears to in the one photo.
You have an excellent pistol and are very lucky to own one in that late W.B. range.

[DaveJ]

Thank you,
The barrel is indeed marked as you mentioned. I will dissasymble thepistol tommorrow and see the size of the G,

[DaveJ]

excuse my typing and typos, here is the barrel,

[jdbwoodsman]

That pistol is absolutely original... including the 1911 slidestop. Don't ever swap that out for an A1 slidestop to make it like the book, because you'll be destroying an original pistol.

[Ronnie Fry]

Awesom Dave, Just AWESOME!! You are a lucky man, Sir!!

Rare gun, and even less common in that kind of shape!!

Thanks for letting us unwashed hoi-polloi have a look at something of high regard..

Ronnie

[Andy Harris]

Nice pistol, Dave. Really nice!!!!!!!!

[DaveJ]

Thanks for the great comments and info. I have no intention to do anything to this piece including sell it. This the one 45 for my collection, what would you guys call the grade?
Dave

[james m]

If you're an adherent of the Blue Book of Gun Values the rating would be about 98% based upon the amount of original finish remaining. Hope this helps.
Jim

[DaveJ]

Thanks Jim,
That is what I was wondering.
Dave

[bolo]

GI M1911A1's are my favorite military handgun

I like the combat finish / grey phosphate

[jdbwoodsman]

Your pistol shipped from Colt Nov. 23, 1942 to: Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, MA in a 2000 gun shipment.

I would agree with the rating of 98%. That holster wear on the slide at the muzzle takes 2% for sure.