[Colt collector]

Hello, looking for some experienced eyes to take a look at this 1966 Colt commercial in nickel. I looked in an old Blue book and I found it refers to this as a 1911A1. The gun is not stamped 1911A1. So am I missing something? So my question is does the serial number with “C” suffix look correct? And does the nickel finish look correct? I can take more pictures if it will help. I would appreciate your help. Also wondering if I should pursue a Colt letter.

 

[824tsv]

It looks good to me other than the stocks which are from the wrong era.
The model name is stamped on the left side of the slide. It’s a “Government Model”.

 

[mlin1911]

1911A1 is a generic reference to a 1911 with upgraded features since 1924 (short trigger, arched MSH, frame finger scallop cutout, longer grip safety). The official Colt name of full size civilian 1911 was Government Model (GM).

 

[ignats]

It looks fine. Letter won't tell you much, just who it was shipped to, usually a distributor or store. 1966 is correct year.

 

[Colt collector]

It looks fine. Letter won't tell you much, just who it was shipped to, usually a distributor or store. 1966 is correct year.

Thank you, the letter was to really verify if it left the factory with the nickel finish. I just wasn’t sure if it was correct.

 

[dfariswheel]

Military issue .45's were the Model 1911 and 1911-A1. These were manufactured by a number of companies under US government contract for military use.

The same guns made by Colt for commercial sales were named the Colt Government Model.
People tend to use these names interchangeably.

 

[mlin1911]

These days, most people simply refer to the design as 1911. Simple and no catchy model names.😁

 

[dogface6]

For those who've never encountered them - the above stocks are the 'Sandblasted Walnut' stocks found on the Series '70's.

This piece should have the dark brown checkered plastic with the molded-in Rampant Colt ogo - the ones that could shrink - which likely happened - and were replaced by these when they did.

Colt used up a helluva lot of pallet wood making these...

 

[Colt collector]

For those who've never encountered them - the above stocks are the 'Sandblasted Walnut' stocks found on the Series '70's.

This piece should have the dark brown checkered plastic with the molded-in Rampant Colt ogo - the ones that could shrink - which likely happened - and were replaced by these when they did.

Colt used up a helluva lot of pallet wood making these...

Good to know. I may have to look for some now. Thanks

 

[824tsv]

Vintage gun grips make reproductions. The dark brown colour is the closest to the OEM colour Colt used. Finding original grips that haven’t shrunk or warped won’t be easy.

 

[celse]

Please post more pictures. There’s several spots on your gun that indicate to me that it could be refinished. But I am not sure without more pictures.

 

[Colt collector]

Please post more pictures. There’s several spots on your gun that indicate to me that it could be refinished. But I am not sure without more pictures.

Here’s some more pictures. It’s hard to get really good pictures with the lights in my garage, if it were warmer, I would try sunlight pics. The flats were shiny at one time but seemed to have dulled a bit. The edges seem crisp.

 

[rod727]

Very nice find. As mentioned above looks good, someone put some early 70 series grips on it. The originals were notorious for shrinking

 

[Ejjeff]

Nice looking piece of American steel and wood! Thanks for sharing.

 

[celse]

When trying to ascertain, whether or not a gun has its original finish, you look for things that are out of place. Enough things are out of place and you can say this has been refinished. Two things stand out on your gun, cocking separations on the right side of the slide nine or 10 of them have flat spots up on the high side. And the main spring housing has substantial damage on the separations (Are they dents or rust pits)? When you have finished on top of bad spots that is an indicator. Now by no means do those two indicators say that the gun has been refinished. But it should give you pause.

 

[Colt collector]

When trying to ascertain, whether or not a gun has its original finish, you look for things that are out of place. Enough things are out of place and you can say this has been refinished. Two things stand out on your gun, cocking separations on the right side of the slide nine or 10 of them have flat spots up on the high side. And the main spring housing has substantial damage on the separations (Are they dents or rust pits)? When you have finished on top of bad spots that is an indicator. Now by no means do those two indicators say that the gun has been refinished. But it should give you pause.

I looked at the spots you mentioned with a magnifying glass, and your right. The slide serrations do have some flat spots. The spring housing has a couple of dings here and there, but not really any rust or pits, maybe a little grim in some grooves.