1943 Colt - How did I do?

1693 Views 33 Replies 19 Participants Last post by S/C-HD2002, 26 d ago

Ironroots

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

7

So a regular at my work told me he had his father's service pistol from when he served in WW2, and because he didn't have any family who he could pass it on to who would appreciate it, he decided that he wanted to sell it. I expressed some interest and he brought it in today. He claimed all original but I could tell right off the bat that it had a post war government contract barrel from 1990.

My interest waned but after looking over the pistol, it appeared to my laymen eye that it was otherwise original. The finish is pretty fantastic, so I was skeptical it was rearsenaled, but I couldn't find any evidence of that having been the case. The gun is dirty, but the feed ramp appeared to be in the white / not parked which I believe suggests it's more likely to be in original condition. The slide is not serialized underneath of the firing pin retainer plate, which seems correct given the serial number on the frame being late 43.

The magazine has zero markings so I'll assume it's not matching to the gun at all, but other than the magazine and barrel can anyone tell me if this is an otherwise matching and original? I am a complete novice when it comes to historical 1911s. I respect the man so I didn't want to low-ball him, so I doubt I got a screaming deal or anything. Any thoughts on it's value, and if it would be worth sourcing a period correct barrel? He said he was going to speak with his mother and see if she potentially has the original barrel, but I'm not holding my breath.

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Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

1L26

· #2 · 3 mo ago

Pretty cool!

Reactions: 1

Sevens

· #3 · 3 mo ago

I know less than, well, everyone haha but condition looks absolutely amazing!

Reactions: 1

HOTCHKIS

· #4 · 3 mo ago

Beautiful and is that a Colt frame ?

Reactions: 1

Ironroots

Discussion Starter · #5 · 3 mo ago

HOTCHKIS said:
Beautiful and is that a Colt frame ?

I would assume so given the GHD stamp, but again, I know very little compared to many on here.

HOTCHKIS

· #6 · 3 mo ago

@Ironroots you are correct I was thinking it would say Colt but not the case

Reactions: 1

Cooter

· #7 · 3 mo ago

That is freaking neat! I hear what you are saying not being all original, yet overall seems to be a decent buy. As far as price, that is a hard one as you do not want to insult the seller.

Reactions: 2

Apollo99

· #8 · 3 mo ago

Anything re-arsenaled $1100-$1300, that's what CMP is getting, an original, in that shape would be closer to $2500-$2700. Now the barrel is an issue, they used to be had all over the place for cheap, but those days are gone. I would say with a non stock barrel, $1900. Also look under those grips, they seem to have some issue under there,

Reactions: 2

Ironroots

Discussion Starter · #9 · 3 mo ago

Apollo99 said:
Anything re-arsenaled $1100-$1300, that's what CMP is getting, an original, in that shape would be closer to $2500-$2700. Now the barrel is an issue, they used to be had all over the place for cheap, but those days are gone. I would say with a non stock barrel, $1900. Also look under those grips, they seem to have some issue under there,

Are you referring to the green on the grips? That's some brass oxidation from the holster it was in.

I'm going to tear it down and give it a thorough cleaning and will inspect further if there is something I'm missing.

I paid a couple hundred less than that so I feel like we both got a fair price.

Apollo99

· #10 · 3 mo ago

Yes I meant that green , I've dealt with a few pistol left in holsters way too long so I am all too aware what that green muck is, I wish I didn't but coming from the north east it's a fact of life especially next to the ocean. But I was also concerned about the front edge of the grip in picture #1. Also I agree it's always a good idea to completely take it apart and soak everything and re assemble. heck I do that with new guns. I really love my '44 Remington Rand, while it's not in my regular shooting rotation, or carry rotation, I do shoot it at the range a few times a year.

Reactions: 1

MajorD

· #11 · 3 mo ago

Nice looking gun. I have my suspicions that it is not his issued gun from ww2 , but “ just like” the one he was issued. The late production replacement barrel is a huge red flag. Having said that, many WW2 era barrels got ratted out from use with corrosive priming ( NOT worn out from shooting)
eitehr way nice gun. Replacement barrel not withstanding

Madcap_Magician

· #12 · 3 mo ago

Apollo99 said:
Anything re-arsenaled $1100-$1300, that's what CMP is getting, an original, in that shape would be closer to $2500-$2700. Now the barrel is an issue, they used to be had all over the place for cheap, but those days are gone. I would say with a non stock barrel, $1900. Also look under those grips, they seem to have some issue under there,

Asking for a friend, but uh, my friend will buy all the good-condition, original-part, non-rearsenaled Colts you can sell him at $2,500.

Ironroots

Discussion Starter · #13 · 3 mo ago

MajorD said:
Nice looking gun. I have my suspicions that it is not his issued gun from ww2 , but “ just like” the one he was issued. The late production replacement barrel is a huge red flag. Having said that, many WW2 era barrels got ratted out from use with corrosive priming ( NOT worn out from shooting)
eitehr way nice gun. Replacement barrel not withstanding

It's possible but I trust this man and he said his father told him it was the specific pistol he carried. It's a 1943 production serial number, and he replaced the barrel several decades later. Other than the barrel being replaced, why the skepticism? Genuinely would like to know.

Apollo99

· #14 · 3 mo ago

@Madcap_Magician , Oh I get it, but the gun market is down right now, I see them asking $3000-$3500 at local gun shows, there is interest , but at the end of the show they seem to go home with the sellers. Look at the prices Wilson Combats and Ed Browns are going for in our classified section. So what do you value #1 his gun at, and #2 one in good-very good shape?

blockislander

· #15 · 3 mo ago

Nice gun! Looks original to me. You can find a correct colt barrel on EBay if you look. Guns in this condition are always in demand. $3000+ on Gunbroker

Madcap_Magician

· #16 · 3 mo ago

Apollo99 said:
@Madcap_Magician , Oh I get it, but the gun market is down right now, I see them asking $3000-$3500 at local gun shows, there is interest , but at the end of the show they seem to go home with the sellers. Look at the prices Wilson Combats and Ed Browns are going for in our classified section. So what do you value #1 his gun at, and #2 one in good-very good shape?

I've been watching GI Colts on GunBroker in similar condition going $3,000-$5,000, depending. Just matching slide and frame seems enough to push $2,750.

Reactions: 1

Ironroots

Discussion Starter · #17 · 3 mo ago

Apollo99 said:
Yes I meant that green , I've dealt with a few pistol left in holsters way too long so I am all too aware what that green muck is, I wish I didn't but coming from the north east it's a fact of life especially next to the ocean. But I was also concerned about the front edge of the grip in picture #1. Also I agree it's always a good idea to completely take it apart and soak everything and re assemble. heck I do that with new guns. I really love my '44 Remington Rand, while it's not in my regular shooting rotation, or carry rotation, I do shoot it at the range a few times a year.

Just gave her a bath and boy was she filthy inside. Never seen an ejector channel so gummed up. Everything looked good though, nothing to report underneath the grips.

The action is actually buttery smooth and relatively tight for a Colt of it's age.

Reactions: 4

Apollo99

· #18 · 3 mo ago

@Ironroots , You know I never include my '44 Remington Rand 1911A1 in my list of favorite 1911s as I said It's not in my rotation, but come to think of it, It's probably on of the last pistols I'll ever sell. I really wish I bought a spare slide for it when they were available and cheap, I would probably shoot it more. Have fun with it, nice gun, good price.

Reactions: 1

Lakeman45

· #19 · 3 mo ago

The green is verdigris, and is a reaction between the leather and brass/copper rivets in a GI holster. Also poisonous.

HOTCHKIS

· #20 · 3 mo ago

Either way it’s a beautiful specimen

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