1911 Questions

deucedaddyj · December 21, 2005, 01:23:06 PM

Last night I was watching "The Wild Bunch" for the first time, and I really enjoyed it. As I was watching I suddenly had a flare up of the old 1911 fever. Does anybody know what finish the originals were made in? Also, who makes the most accurate replicas of the original govt. issue models? I'd buy an actual Colt, but I can't find around here, and they're propably priced out of my leauge (former Colt experience). Any help would be much appreciated.

Major 2 · December 21, 2005, 01:48:31 PM

I have a friend with one SS# dates it Circa 1914 ... blued w/ walnut panels ,came with a Cavalry lanyard loop on the clip. (but we're not sure the clip is original to the gun, looks it but $:-\$ )

Mine is a WWII issue 1911A1 parkerized ( mine has Govt. marks ) quite different. I think the A1 is what you will find replicated (Springfield Armory has one the WWII reenactors use).

Big John Denny · December 21, 2005, 02:03:31 PM

duecedaddy, any of the companies that make a 1911 style with the flat mainspring housing, blue finish and the standard fixed sites would work fine. The Govt didn't parkarize the 1911 until WWII, so the originals were all blue finish.

In fact, Springfield Armory markets a reproduction of the WWII style 1911A1, with the rounded mainpring housing at a real fair price. You can buy them here for about $400.

The big thing is to stay away from adjustable sights, front slide serations, beaver tail grip safties and the like you see on the more modern style 1911 style pistols.

I have three original 1911's currently, but none are for sale.

deucedaddyj · December 21, 2005, 02:12:37 PM

Thanks fer the help guys. I'm actually quite fond of the early pre-WWII models myself. I think they have a slightly more classic look. They were meant to be a modernized peacemaker after all. That darn John Browning was a genius.

St. George · December 21, 2005, 11:12:29 PM

That lanyard loop wasn't supplied after 1916 - the last Colt issued with one was serial number 125566 - but there were thousands in store - so they're pretty common for a WWI-era piece.

As to the movie guns - if you look closely - you'll see that they're not Colts - but Spanish 'Stars'...

Look for the visible extractor...

Scouts Out!

Major 2 · December 22, 2005, 07:05:35 AM

"That lanyard loop wasn't supplied after 1916 - the last Colt issued with one was serial number 125566 "

That there is valueable information , Thank you, Sir

St. George · December 22, 2005, 10:46:50 AM

De nada.

If you want more information on 'real' M1911 and M1911A1 Service Pistols - drop me a PM with a serial number.

As to lanyard loop magazines - there are some fakes as well.
Look at the magazine 'body' base - where the floorplate joins.
'Real' ones are pinned...

Scouts Out!

Virginia Gentleman · December 22, 2005, 12:54:28 PM

The early guns were also Carbonia blued and not hot salt blued like most blued guns are today. A fairly inexpensive method of getting a WWI look alike, albiet with the scalloped cuts near the trigger, would be to take a plain jane Springfield 1911 GI, replace the mainspring housing with a flat one with a lanyard and have it 400 grit polished and blued. It wouldn't be a 100% authentic 1911, but it would be close with lots of greenbacks saved.

deucedaddyj · December 23, 2005, 04:54:22 PM

You know, I was wondering if that would work. I might just do that. The Colt reissues have an MSRP of about $999, which isn't nearly as much as I thought. I bet I could pick one up for $700-$800 if I looked around. There aren't many places around here that carry Colts though.

Duke Nukem · December 23, 2005, 05:54:25 PM

Not sure if anyone reproduces the 1911. Most repros are copies of the 1911 A1 which took place in 1921. You will have to look for 1921 or earlier or get an A1 and make it a 1911. Personally I would get a real 1911 and own a piece of history and if that is the style you like (they will keep appreciating also). There are a few WW1 1911s out there and they will have a blue finish all 1911s were blued. I have a Colt CXXXX (Civilian) dated back to 1913. It is a high polish blue two tpned clips with key hole and lynard loops. I bet they run between $1000-2000 just a geuss. I would think you can get a WW1 Springfield, Colt, or whatever for $700-1000.00. If you went with an A1 WW2 would be parkerized all others of the vintage would be blued. Colt, Springfiled, Remintion Rand, Ithaca, and others ade them during WW2. Do not know of any bad ones.
Modern makers Springfield makes good ones. come in Blued parkerized, whatever you want. The best today for target and carry would be a Kimber or Springfield.
That is my $0.02

St. George · December 23, 2005, 11:46:21 PM

Colt does reproduce the M1911 - and any decent gun shop can order one in.

As to the prices - since they're a limited piece - they're rising as we speak.

A 'real' M1911 - as built by Colt, Springfield Armory (the 'real' one), or Remington-UMC will 'start' at a grand for 80% and percentages really make the prices jump.

A 90% gun would be seen in the $1500+ range - but a 95% would go $2000+ easily.

WWII-issue M1911A1's - Colt, Remington-Rand, Union Switch and Signal and Ithaca - 'start' at $950+ for an 80% 'common' Remington-Rand - the high-producer of the war.

The average 95% M1911A1 will go for $1450+.

Singer - with only 800 made - are five-figure guns.

GI-issue Service pistols are a distinct collecting field - and there's even higher demand since 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Band of Brothers' came out.

Shooting original M1911s is just fine - with new springs and a new barrel - but remember - the steel on those frames was never as strong as the later-issue weapons.

Scouts Out!

sweettooth · January 08, 2006, 04:57:04 AM

I have an auto ordance 1911 ww 11 I love it .Is parkarized and has the lanyard ring which was the only clone to have one at the time. I use my springfields at the range as they are the loaded variety. The springfields are excellent pistols but my auto ord. is my beside gun. why ? ? Because an aut ord will feed and shoot anything any bullet any mag..
It is made very loose which is the way the org. were made . You can drop it in sand or mud and it will still cycle .John Browing designed this pistol to be taken apart with no tools other than a .45 cartridge . by inexperienced troops.
I had never thought of puting a carbonia finish on one. What a great idea . let us know what you find.

"I have shot many a sassy bandit with nothing but my pistol " Gus