No, but close - it was an old Dodge Monaco - looked like someone had been living in it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Good news! I won't hear back on the Titanic until tomorrow when the officer I called returns to duty and runs the serial number..... But - I just had another officer stop by in his patrol car, so I asked his advice on the Colt. He told me not to turn it over because the department would melt it down. So, I asked him to run the number for me.... he took the number to his car and returned in a few minutes with the results. In his words: "You're good to go... It's clean"!!

Now I need to find out more about it. I looked at the jouster 1911 message board site that Bruce linked and found that some of these things go for big money, but there are more proof marks on the internal parts that my reference didn't include - so I've got some more detective work to do before I can say that it's original. I really don't care if it is or not, though - it'll be a carry weapon for the center console.

The disconcerting thing is what Bruce and Scott are saying about the potential value - I almost hope it's not worth that, since I want to use it. On Bruce's site I saw that some of these in rare serial numbers inspected by a certain fellow are selling for up to $25,000. Yikes! I sure hope this one is a daily driver. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Frank

YES YES YES YES YES



NO NO NO NO NO NO


Frank.... this 1911 belongs in a gun safe, or a museum.
Carrying it in a holster will further the wear and tear on the almost pristine finish. It's just not the place for it.

If I were you, and came across such a great find on such great luck.... I would treat myself to a specific purpose bought carry gun.

Just go pick up a Glock(in 45 if you'd like), or.... if you like that 1911... and I know you do... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> grab a new Milspec Springfield 1911. This way you do not have to worry about someone breaking in your car, and stealing it/ carfire / siezed after a defensive shooting.

You certainly went about this process the right way though, and great job on that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I dunno, Curtis - I've always thought that guns are for shooting until they're dangerous to shoot - sorta like cars are made for driving until you can't get parts at a reasonable price.

I'll take it down this weekend and see if I can find out more from that 1911 site Bruce posted. If it's worth a lot of money, maybe I'll just put it on the shelf and shoot it every now and then and buy another for carry or use my S&W .38.

OTOH, I look at it as a high quality freeby - so why not use it? Ahhhh.... the choices in life..... good luck is sometimes a curse. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I would put that thing in a gun safe and only oil it and show to friends. If you fancy the 1911 like I do, buy yourself a Kimber Raptor series 1911. The kimber has a really nice feel to it and a tougher frame than most. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I'm damn happy for you Frank. That is a fine piece of history. I'm for putting it in the safe and reserving it for novelty shooting and story telling. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> Not that I dont think the 1911 shoot be a carry...by all means I love the wieght of those things as the gun stays leveled on its target.

That cop was a good friend as well to just handle it like that too... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> to him.

I'm on the "keep it as a safe-queen" boat. That thing is a high-quality piece of history. Personally, I wouldn't think I'd ever fire it. It would hold it's value better.

But that's just my opinion.

WTH? What good is having the gun if you're not gonna shoot it? Just get a high quality photo of a gun and hang it on the wall if you're not going to use it. I guess some guys get pleasure from saying "I have this, and I have that"...but heck, it was made to shoot...SHOOT IT! Reminds me of the guys who spend a ton of money on a disc, and then hang it on the wall instead of throwing it.

Nice find Frank, enjoy it, however you decide to do it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

O/T My son didn't want to go into the neighbors muddy back yard today, because he had new shoes on. I said "what are you, a girl? Nancy doesn't want to get her shoes muddy?" He took off running and jumped in the mud. That's my boy.

I did not say don't shoot it. Just don't use it as a carry piece.

I'd bring it to the range, and run 50 rounds through it.... That's not going to hurt it. Letting it ride in a holster with loads of sweat, and funk built up on it, or in the console of a car that goes through cycles of heat/humidity/cool and gets moisture condensed onto it is a bad idea is all i'm saying.

I am with you 100% that you should not own something you can't enjoy, but that does not mean you take your 1969 Ferrari superfast to the dragstrip every Wednesday night, and scca on Saturdays, and beat the crap out of it.

Well bub you're in a win-win situation. If the gun isn't worth crud and shoots then you have a perfect, and intimidating, carry piece. If it does turn out to be worth $$thousands$$ then you can sell the piece and buy yourself a really nice carry .45, take your wife on a nice vacation, and put some up in the bank.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Carlos

I'm with you Stoney. It was made to shoot. No telling how many WWII GIs and not to mention JMB himself would be rolling in their graves if you just kept it locked up.



I can agree with that, but if cleaned properly and often enough ...



While you do have a valid point about the moisture there, they do make a packet of desiccant that you can throw in the center console to remove any moisture. That along with properly maintenance should keep it from being damaged. I use the desiccant packets in my gun safe at home. For that I bought a big tub of it that they sell to go in places like storage closets etc. It keeps things nice and dry inside.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />