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  1. #1
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    Default 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?



    I've just bought this beauty. Serial number tracks it to 1943 manufacture.

    Some pitting by the ejection port:
    Inspected by Col. Frank J Atwood.



    Finish looks original. Only concern is the colt slide. It would seem Col. Atwood proofed the Ithaca and Remington Rand manufactured pistols. The serial number places it as Ithaca manufactured.



    Is there any way to see where or who it was issued to?

    Thoughts on value and rarety?

    Awesome to have something in my hands that may have seen action in WW2.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    I have something very similar. An FJA Remington-Rand frame from 1944 with a Colt slide.

    These things were sent to the UK because they didn't have any guns to fight the war. But by the time they got there the war in Europe had finished and they were unissued. These were then sold to the public in the eighties.

    Or at least that's the story of my one.

    http://www.retro.co.za/gundex/firearms/M1911A1.html

    Do you have a BNP proof on the barrel?

    Mil-spec means they can take all the pistols apart and throw the parts in bins and then re-assemble them and because all the parts are to spec the gun still works. And this is what they did. I don't think any of the lend-lease pistols have matching frames and slides.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    On the Colt manufactured 1911A1's you will find the serial no. on the slide under the firing pin stop plate.Found quite a few with matching slides and frames in the shipments that came here in the 80's,

  4. #4
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Pascoe View Post
    On the Colt manufactured 1911A1's you will find the serial no. on the slide under the firing pin stop plate.Found quite a few with matching slides and frames in the shipments that came here in the 80's,
    Thanks Rick. I took a look, but the serial is illegible. I'm pretty sure the slide was swapped out by the Armory.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    Quote Originally Posted by wrm View Post
    I have something very similar. An FJA Remington-Rand frame from 1944 with a Colt slide.

    These things were sent to the UK because they didn't have any guns to fight the war. But by the time they got there the war in Europe had finished and they were unissued. These were then sold to the public in the eighties.

    Or at least that's the story of my one.

    http://www.retro.co.za/gundex/firearms/M1911A1.html

    Do you have a BNP proof on the barrel?

    Mil-spec means they can take all the pistols apart and throw the parts in bins and then re-assemble them and because all the parts are to spec the gun still works. And this is what they did. I don't think any of the lend-lease pistols have matching frames and slides.
    Thanks, you've pretty much confirmed my suspicions on this one. I haven't had a chance to take a close look at the barre for proofs as it's still at the gunshop.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    Anybody have an idea on value?

  7. #7
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    I'll give you R500...

    :-)

  8. #8
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    PM BrownMan. He is a 1911 collector; he might be able to help you with an idea on value.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    Quote Originally Posted by wrm View Post
    I'll give you R500...

    :-)
    Nice one

  10. #10
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    Default Re: 1943 Colt M1911A1 Collectable?

    Quote Originally Posted by PeaceOfficer View Post
    PM BrownMan. He is a 1911 collector; he might be able to help you with an idea on value.
    Thanks. Will do.

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