DeJohn sign off on my series 70 1911

[Radioman]

Hello Colt Forum,

This is my first post here. I've been in the hobby for many years but just bought my first Colt product.

I just picked up first Colt 1911. It's mint series 70 in the original box with paperwork. It has the 70G prefix so I know it's from 1970 as it also says 1970 on the box. My question-- on the box is a sign off from Al DeJohn. Written with the same pen as all the other info on the box tag. I think it's legit. The guy I purchased it from says the gun was customized by Colt from the factory. The gun has been broached for a National Match trigger. The trigger looks to be old but I have no way of knowing if this is an original mod or a more recent one. Why would DeJohn sign the box if it didn't make a trip through the custom shop? Is there anyway of telling why DeJohn would sign the box or if any mod's were made by the factory?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

[Kid Sopris]

I think a call to the Archives Dept will shed some light...Maybe want to letter that one.

[elliotf]

I do know that Al De John was the Superintendent of the Custom Gun Shop.

[Radioman]

I think a call to the Archives Dept will shed some light...Maybe want to letter that one.

Any help on this would be appreciated. How would one find the archives dept? Is it at the current Colt Firearms location and do they take phone calls? If so does anyone know the number?

[elliotf]

Colt Customer Services

800-962-COLT (2658)

[A1A]

Colt's Manufacturing LLC

[JudgeColt]

Welcome to the Forum.

First, the gun cannot be a Model of 1911, since "1911" is a military designation for pistols of the World War I era, and the term was never applied to commercial Government Model pistols. Second, the fact that the gun says "Series 70" on the slide and label does not necessarily mean the gun was made in 1970. The term "Series 70" indicates that the gun has the collet bushing introduced in 1970 with the Series 70 pistols. The same goes for the serial number range, which was a new series started in 1970, but continued after 1970. If you post the serial number, an estimate of the actual year of production probably can be made.

Does the gun have a Gold Cup-width trigger in it even though it is not a Gold Cup? Does the trigger look like a Gold Cup trigger?

I am not familiar with the workings of the Custom Shop, but it does seem that the signature of the Custom Shop superintendent would have some significance. Perhaps a factory letter would provide some answers.

[Radioman]

Welcome to the Forum.

First, the gun cannot be a Model of 1911, since "1911" is a military designation for pistols of the World War I era, and the term was never applied to commercial Government Model pistols. Second, the fact that the gun says "Series 70" on the slide and label does not necessarily mean the gun was made in 1970. The term "Series 70" indicates that the gun has the collet bushing introduced in 1970 with the Series 70 pistols. The same goes for the serial number range, which was a new series started in 1970, but continued after 1970. If you post the serial number, an estimate of the actual year of production probably can be made.

Does the gun have a Gold Cup-width trigger in it even though it is not a Gold Cup? Does the trigger look like a Gold Cup trigger?

I am not familiar with the workings of the Custom Shop, but it does seem that the signature of the Custom Shop superintendent would have some significance. Perhaps a factory letter would provide some answers.

Yes it has the wide Gold Cup trigger. The serial number has a 70G prefix and the box says 1970 as a date of manufacture. Your right no where on the pistol does it say 1911 but I think we all know what I'm talking about here.

[JudgeColt]

I have never seen a box with a date of manufacture on it. Are you sure it is not just a date that a distributor or dealer put on the box for record-keeping purposes? A picture of the end label would really help. If someone had enough "pull" to get a Gold Cup trigger installed in a Government Model, that is VERY interesting. I tried to get that done on a new Post-War Service Model Ace and could not.

Of course "... we all know what [you're] talking about here" is this case, but why not use correct nomenclature? There are too many times when it DOES make a difference. When someone says "I just inherited a near mint 1911," are we to take the poster literally and begin discussing a World War I Model of 1911, or do we assume that the poster means a Government Model, and wonder of what vintage?