I've got a 1911A1 Colt that I've had for many years...and for just as many years, I've yet to possatively identify it, as far as it's history...or to put it another way, just "what" it is....other than it is obviously "some sort" of forgen contract gun.
In other words, none of the Colt references that I've ever found, seems to (exactly) fit-in with the various details on this particular gun.
Stuff that I know and am familiar with:
It is definently an "A1"....meaning that it has the 1911A1 "relief cuts" in the frame.
Left side of the slide is marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT USA" with a series of (smaller) patten dates below that.
The "dancing mule" on the slide is on the right side and placed to the right of the words "COLT automatic calibre .45". To the left of all that is "POLICIA FEDERAL", which is underlined and in large letters that match the word "COLT" in size.
The serial number of the frame is also stamped into the top of the slide, just aft of the ejection port, and in very-small digits (about the size of the "patten" dates on the left side, only stamped more-shallow).
It has the (early)1911AI wide-spur hammer, not the longer/curved 1911 hammer, and not the later "skinny" hammer.
It has the shorter "AI" trigger and arched MS housing with a lanyard-loop.
The thumb safety has the small thumb-pad, like a 1911.
All of the "usual" surfaces are checkered, nothing is "serated".
It is blued, not parkerized.....but could have been at one time.
All the finish-wear on all the effected surfaces seems to "match".
The only part that don't look to be "original to the gun" is the barrel and bushing. The barrel is parkerized, and marked "HS"....which is obviously a USGI part, as-is the parkerized bushing.
Stuff that don't fit with the references I've found,and/or is confusing to me:
There is no sign of it ever having a "crest" marking as-is usualy found on "contract" guns.
The serial number does not begin with the traditional "C", and is in the same type/size of script that Colt used on the earlier Model-M pocket automatics.
It has a 5-digit serial number (38XXX). According to all of the litterature I've found, THAT serial number range indicates that it should be amoungst the first 38-Supers, NOT a 45ACP.
Aint no "importer" markings of any type, any where.
I realize that given the age of this thing, there's a good chance that it has been refinished once or twice, probably rebuilt, and maybe even had more parts changed around than just the barrel. To me though, none of that would account for it's "unusual" markings, nor for the fact that the frame and slide are correctly numbered together (AND in an "incorrect" serial-number sequence). That, and it's obvious that the gun at some time or another, belonged to the "Fedaralies" of some spanish-speaking country.
So....anyone have a clue...or care to offer-up a guess as to what this thing is....and/or how it came to have a 38-Super serial number?
Thanks for any insight.
DGW
In other words, none of the Colt references that I've ever found, seems to (exactly) fit-in with the various details on this particular gun.
Stuff that I know and am familiar with:
It is definently an "A1"....meaning that it has the 1911A1 "relief cuts" in the frame.
Left side of the slide is marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT USA" with a series of (smaller) patten dates below that.
The "dancing mule" on the slide is on the right side and placed to the right of the words "COLT automatic calibre .45". To the left of all that is "POLICIA FEDERAL", which is underlined and in large letters that match the word "COLT" in size.
The serial number of the frame is also stamped into the top of the slide, just aft of the ejection port, and in very-small digits (about the size of the "patten" dates on the left side, only stamped more-shallow).
It has the (early)1911AI wide-spur hammer, not the longer/curved 1911 hammer, and not the later "skinny" hammer.
It has the shorter "AI" trigger and arched MS housing with a lanyard-loop.
The thumb safety has the small thumb-pad, like a 1911.
All of the "usual" surfaces are checkered, nothing is "serated".
It is blued, not parkerized.....but could have been at one time.
All the finish-wear on all the effected surfaces seems to "match".
The only part that don't look to be "original to the gun" is the barrel and bushing. The barrel is parkerized, and marked "HS"....which is obviously a USGI part, as-is the parkerized bushing.
Stuff that don't fit with the references I've found,and/or is confusing to me:
There is no sign of it ever having a "crest" marking as-is usualy found on "contract" guns.
The serial number does not begin with the traditional "C", and is in the same type/size of script that Colt used on the earlier Model-M pocket automatics.
It has a 5-digit serial number (38XXX). According to all of the litterature I've found, THAT serial number range indicates that it should be amoungst the first 38-Supers, NOT a 45ACP.
Aint no "importer" markings of any type, any where.
I realize that given the age of this thing, there's a good chance that it has been refinished once or twice, probably rebuilt, and maybe even had more parts changed around than just the barrel. To me though, none of that would account for it's "unusual" markings, nor for the fact that the frame and slide are correctly numbered together (AND in an "incorrect" serial-number sequence). That, and it's obvious that the gun at some time or another, belonged to the "Fedaralies" of some spanish-speaking country.
So....anyone have a clue...or care to offer-up a guess as to what this thing is....and/or how it came to have a 38-Super serial number?
Thanks for any insight.
DGW
