I recently inherited two old colt pistols that belonged to my great grandfather and grandfather that have been in the family for at least 80 years to the best of my knowledge. I looked up serial numbers, the first being a colt SAA frontier six shooter in .44 cal with all matching serial numbers from 1891. The second being a colt M1911 government issue from 1916. I did a little research on both and can’t find any information on the 1891 saa but I was able to confirm all the inspection markings on the 1911 being one of 500 guns sent to San Antonio arsenal on December 16, 1916. All the inspection marks are visible being the H from Hosmer I believe, the only variation I can find is I believe it’s a WWII era barrel as the inspection marks are not on the top of barrel but on bottom where pin goes through. There are several stories that go along with these firearms that have been past down in the family but I’m not positive if they have been embellished on for sale of a good story. I do know my great grandfather served in the U.S. Marines from 1914-1918 and was in Europe in WWI and my grandfather served in the U.S. Navy from 1940-1964 in the South Pacific and Korea. I was wondering if anyone here could give me a little information to the authenticity of these firearms as they should be all original and unaltered. I had never seen the 1891 prior to inheriting and had only seen the 1911 when I was very young when my grandfather was still alive. I know very little about old firearms with the exception of what I have learned on the internet since receiving these two pistols so any information anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. I will include a few pictures of these firearms to hopefully help with information.
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