Two 1911A1

[klr]

Hello I just picked up these 45s. I found a lot of Ithacas here on the forum. This one seem to be a mid war 42-43 production. It has had the man initials stamped on the one side of the slide and other initials near the hammer. Both gun were missing the clips.

The colt doesn't have the property of US Government marking. Thanks for any info. I may put one or both of these on estand. Kirby

[klr]

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[tracman]

Hmmmmm... well, at the risk of being blunt, I hope you haven't paid too much for them. As regards the Ithaca, I'm rather sure that it will take a major value hit due to the engraving... and the apparent attempts to rub or scratch it out. Pity, because otherwise, it looks to be in pretty good shape, albeit there appear to be other scratch/buff marks. I'd investigate those carefully.

As for the Colt, it's not an M1911A1: it's rather clearly an M-1911, albeit one that has modern grips on it, and the trigger simply doesn't seem right. This particular pistol appears to have an M-1911A1-type short-trigger fitted to it. Frankly, I'd have a competent gunsmith check this pistol out to ensure it's safe, as it's likely been tinkered with. I would also consult someone with an established knowledge base on this pistol who can tell you more definitively what may have been done to it.

Nearly all of my books are in storage, so while I can't give you a definitive date on its production year, it appears to be a late 1918 production, arguably pretty much in original, well worn condition. To make it correct, and based on what I see right now, you'd need some original double-diamond grips, possibly a correct trigger, and the correct two-tone magazine. Frankly, I'd locate those before trying to sell it, because as it is, it may only be a low-value shooter.

[gew98]

tracman ; the 1911 has had the US PROPERTY mark ground off... and maybe even welded over ( altogether crudely ). The pistol overall reeks of cold blue having been applied to it as well as the trigger and grip issues you point out. It's a shotter with no restoration value except maybe swapping what period parts it has to a worthy restoration and with whats left make it a shooter... but by all means ditch those horrible horsey grips !.

[klr]

Hello Thanks for the info on the guns. Guns aren't my area of collecting. Kirby

[tracman]

tracman ; the 1911 has had the US PROPERTY mark ground off... and maybe even welded over ( altogether crudely ). The pistol overall reeks of cold blue having been applied to it as well as the trigger and grip issues you point out. It's a shotter with no restoration value except maybe swapping what period parts it has to a worthy restoration and with whats left make it a shooter... but by all means ditch those horrible horsey grips !.

Yes, you may be right: it's hard to be definitive, but it certainly appears that the US Property marks have been polished/buffed out: there appears to be a different shine in that area of the frame. As for the blue, again, it's hard to say: there appears to be some original blue there, and some old grease/rust, but it's hard to tell (at least for me). What a pity really... and only reinforces the point that nothing beats a hands-on examination. All in all, it would take a lot of trouble to restore it back to collectible condition... this one is at best a shooter only, assuming it's safe....