Opinions about a M1911A1 - Picture heavy

[broknaxl]

I have some pictures of a M1911A1 - I would like to know from a few of the guys that really know these what I have and an aprox. value. The whole story on this is, I originally owned this for about a 2 weeks. I had a good friend that wanted a 1911 to give to his Son. So I sold him this one. He also has a Remington Rand which I will post pictures in another thread asking the same opinions. Both have been "messed" with. The conundrum is - he has the opportunity to trade one of these straight up for a 4in Python. The Python is a shooter (has some finish issues) - So now he wants to know which would be the better one to give to his son. (By the way I sold it to him for $550.00) - But the more i have it here the more I wish I hadn't sold it. Anyway here's some pics. It will probably take several frames to get them all. It also has some english markings.








More further down.

engraved 1911 008.jpgengraved 1911 008.jpg

[broknaxl]

Here's some more pics



Second pic above is the front of grip frame.

[broknaxl]

and more

[broknaxl]

and some more








So please tell me anything you can about the markings etc. - Serial # 17121XX

[Rob Greer]

This is a late 1944 Colt M1911A1. It would have originally been parkerized, but obviously the original finish was removed when the gun was engraved. The barrel was made by High Standard, and was not original to the Colt. Stocks are post WWII commercial replacements. I would expect to find the same three Birmingham Proof stamps (found on the barrel) to also be on the frame... along with "NOT ENGLISH MAKE", and possibly "RELEASED BRITISH GOVT." (or something similar - I don't have my lend lease out to compare.) The slide should also have some similar marks.

[broknaxl]

Thanks Rob !!The frame has "Not English Make" right under the serial# - Also just before that is what looks like a crossed swords with the letters D B and the #5. The proof mark is on the frame incorporated into the engraving on the right side (see 2nd post 5th pic.) it's hard to see but it's there. I don't see any on the slide.
Can anyone tell me what the other markings on the frame mean? There is a GHD under the slide stop (along with an idiot mark!) Then there is an X on the trigger guard just above the Colt VP proof mark. There is also a P stamped just below the mag release.
I take it that on the barrel lug the HS stands for High Standard? Does the letter P on the other side mean anything?
Any thoughts on what the value would be on the open market?? Thanks in advance and to Rob for any info.
Here's some better looking stocks on it.
Engraved 1911 006.jpg

[Ratzo]

The X is an assemblers mark, and yes the HS stands for High Standard. The pistol did not leave Colt's factory with that barrel. The P on the barrel lug is a US proof mark as is the one on the frame below the magazine release. There should also be a similar P in the top of the slide in front of the rear sight. The GHD stands for Guy H Drewery who was the Army inspector of Ordinance at the time this pistol was produced. The markings on the barrel shroud are proof marks from the british proof house but your pictures don't show enough detail for me to determine if they are the London or Birmingham proof house. They seem to be from Birmingham. Are there "BP", "BV", and "NP" in the circles below the crown? The mark under the serial number represents the year the pistol was proofed in Britain, and which inspector did the proof testing. This pistol was sent to England during WWII under the Lend Lease act. After the war and into the 60's US distributors bought them back from the British. By law a firearm has to be Proofed by the British authorities before it can leave their country. The British proof mark information was taken from Charles Clawsons book so it is only as accurate as he is, Which is pretty damned accurate. Hope it helps. Jim

[Derry 1946]

You gotta love the level of detailed information available on this forum. Thanks for the education, guys, and Happy New Year.

Derry

[Rob Greer]

The crown stamps appear to look like those used by the Proof Act of 1925 - 1955, and with the description of the crossed sceptre marking with "DB5" confirms it was stamped by Birmingham in 1953. (The "B" means Birmingham, "D" gives the year, and 5 is the inspector's identification.) Ratzo is right on about GHD, proof marks "P", and the Colt inspector's mark "X". If there is no 'release from' statement, it was probably not a lend lease gun. All commercial guns were required to have the stamps shown above to comply with the proof act. These are probably commercial proofs as required by the proof act. Regardless, in 1953, this pistol was 'across the pond'... pretty cool!

[oldcanuck]

Uh... guys... the 'P' proof marks are firing proofs aren't they ????