Mike, good question, and there is LOTS and lots to learn and know as to "vintage" 1911, the later 1911A1 and all the clones, as noted above, the Springfield, Rock Island , add the older Norinco and there are many "mil spec guns to be found.....Armscorp. in the Phillipines is making these guns for about everyone out there, and most are very affordable for shooters....you can always get "kits" part kits, any and all the basic mil spec GI parts at many gun shows or on line..........
as for original military issue of either the 1911 (WWI )the the later 1911 A1 improoved version there are many books written on them all the variations, and the re makes ( arsenal reworks) for later military use, issue for WW II< Korea, and even Vietnam...heck my neighbor was issued a WWII Singer Sewing machine built for WWII< was arsenal reworked refitted, refinished in parkerized , was in the the previous two combats and he gets it in Vietnam in early 1970....talk about a "find" ( oh yeah, he "lost" it and they docked his pay $25.... 8)
but the ting is one has to really KNOW, do their homework on these military issue guns as there are so many "fakes" redos, parts guns, and on and on...I see the "Junk" at about any given gun show, but I've seen, had, bought ,sold MANY that came home from some combat with Dads, ,Uncles, family of whomever,over the years...yes they are STILL out there, they made so many of them....and the "best" correct ones will get the top dollar...I used to buy them at Camp Perry, and through the NRA back in the 60's for $17.50 each... :roll:
........and I have gotten up to $3000 for a proper one for various estates ,family sales....you need to know or find out MORE, contact me or even 'Splitz' he knows them as good as I do , maybe a bit better, as he stays with them and has collected them for so many years.I never kept any except my 1967 Gold Cup, which shoots ONE hole groups and I 'retired' it, and got one of the SR1911's when they first came out for under $600 it is a beauty.....I don't need ( or want) to have them all........... :wink: