That is a nice one.

 

Colt 1911 US Army 45 Made in 1917 beauty with belt rig matching original - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 974415572

 

Very nice thank you!

 

Did you notice that the rollmark font type on the slide and frame are different? I know 1917 is the year Colt made that rollmark transition. So it may be possible that one just happen during roll die transition period? But without concrete proof, I believe it is going to hurt the value in the eyes of collectors.

Slide - serif font
frame - sans-serif font

 

Did you notice that the rollmark font type on the slide and frame are different? I know 1917 is the year Colt made that rollmark transition. So it may be possible that one just happen during roll die transition period? But without concrete proof, I believe it is going to hurt the value in the eyes of collectors.

Slide - serif font
frame - sans-serif font

View attachment 835852

I just want to point out the discrepancy on rollmark font type. If the pistol was not made in 1917, I will say for sure it is mismatched slide/frame. But Colt transitioned to sans serif rollmark during 1917, it may be possible that mismatch occurred when Colt transitioning to new roll dies. If you ask collectors, they would probably avoid paying full market price on that one since it is inconclusive whether slide/frame left the factory together.

This exact same issue (if it's really an "issue") has been dogging me for eight years now...since 2015 when I bought a 1918 Colt. It's been discussed at least twice on this forum...once at length, I think. I'm just too lazy this morning to search for the threads.

But anyway, in those discussions about my pistol, I don't recall anyone mentioning this transition period during which "mismatched" slides and frames were put together into a complete pistol to meet wartime demands. I've stopped "worrying" about it, because I realize I'll never have an answer as to whether my pistol's one of those transitional guns. My pistol shipped, by the way, on February 6, 1918...one of 4000 shipped to Springfield Armory.

I have no interest in selling the pistol, anyway, so don't much care what value collectors might assign to it. I've shot the gun on several occasions, and as I've said in other threads, at 105-years-old, it still does what it was made to do. No complaints from me.

Sorry for the thread drift.

 

Suggesting the slide and frame did not leave the factory together, mlin? Want to make sure I understand. Thank you for pointing that out.

 

I just want to point out the discrepancy on rollmark font type. If the pistol was not made in 1917, I will say for sure it is mismatched slide/frame. But Colt transitioned to sans serif rollmark during 1917, it may be possible that mismatch occurred when Colt transitioning to new roll dies. If you ask collectors, they would probably avoid paying full market price on that one since it is inconclusive whether slide/frame left the factory together.

 

Very nice piece of history

 

Wear patterns appear to Not Match. ??

 

Ask the seller to show a photo of the stamped number under the firing pin plate.

 

What should this reveal? Specific inspector mark? Thanks.

 

Welcome to the COLT Forum from the Cradle Of Liberty...Pennsylvania !!

Enjoy Our Community Paul...

 

Here is a pic of the serial number, 177371

I have witnessed a few in this general serial range which had both serif letters on the slide, and non-serif on the frame. A matter of pre-manufactured slides being used up in the fitting process.

I have one from 13,000 units later with the same mix of fonts.

Note a series of dents/scuffs on the front of my frame that continue on to the slide. Perhaps someone who put this gun together purposefully created the scuffs to complete the deception of placing an older slide on a newer frame? You decide. But the condition of both main pieces are so consistent, it would be hard to believe that someone robbed excellent parts from two excellent guns, just to make one questionable pairing.

The same mismatched font and excellent parts situation with the GB offering.

Just my thoughts...

 

I will be interested to see if the opening minimum bid of $3,500 is covered. 2d 8hrs to go at this time.

Had this listing started at $0.01, it might already be nearing that minimum amount, with a dozen or more bids to show vigorous interest.

 

I love the looks of that one. Nice!

 

My 1917 Setup. 1911 appears to be all original still. Lots of honest wear and tear makes me believe this pistol has seen some things - if only they could talk.....

BTW - All Font makings are Serif with the exception of the 'N' in the serial number. It appears to be Sans-Serif