I found 2 pistols today - the first is a Saturday night special piece of Titanic junk that I'll give to the police for destruction:


The second one is a prize - I'll let the police run a ballistics test on it to see if it's stolen or has been used in a crime, but if not, they're gonna have to give this one back to me...... US Army issue M1911A1 Colt .45cal semi-auto sidearm. It was a little gummed up and had a couple of small surface rust spots, but after I dunked it in transmission oil and cycled the action a few times it seems to be in great condition. It'll go to a good gunsmith for re-parkerizing - or some quality finish...... and then I'll see if I like it any better than the 9mm Browning Hi-Power.




Frank

Very nice! How is it that you these two?


My latest gun-related acquisition: I finally bought a gun safe today. Big monster made by Browning. Sucker weights about 3/4 ton and is almost 6 feet tall. It's in the garage now, but I need to get it down into the basement. That's going to be my project for Monday. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

They were in the trunk of a junk car that I bought for $150. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> That's why I'll be getting a police officer I know to check out the 1911. If it's needed for evidence, he can keep it..... if it's on a stolen list, the owner will get it back..... if not, I'll be very glad to have it.

I haven't yet taken it down for a full cleaning, but further checking of the serial no. reveals 1944 manufacturing - standard issue - in nearly perfect condition..... barrel's clean and shiny, rifling appears good, no rust in the barrel..... more action cycling reveals a nice tight piece... thumb safety feels good and positive, little wear on anything - it appears to be a very fine example of the M1911A1 and it might be best not to refinish it.

I wish it could talk.... I'd like to hear the stories it could tell.

My father brought home 2 of these from the Pacific after WWI. One was a Remington, the other a Colt. I remember him telling me that some officers swapped a Colt slide onto a Remington frame - or vice versa..... claimed to make the weapon better - I don't remember why - I think it had to do with slide clearance..... probably because of the sand over there.

Frank

Very nice. I would be tempted to just <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />....What gun? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Your way is the best way though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Don't think that thought didn't cross my mind, because it certainly did..... but I'd hate to find out later that it was used in a murder that could have been solved - or that some vet had his memories pilfered when I could give it back to him.

I doubt the police will want to run a ballistics test on it, but it's possible they would if there is an unsolved case involving a .45ACP round. It's far more likely that any information on file would have to do with theft.

OTOH, I had a 9mm Hi-Power stolen during a house move and when I called to report it stolen, the police response was almost like "So what?".

Odds are, I'll be told to keep it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> But at least I'll have tried - and more importantly. there'll be a statement on file that the weapon came into my possession on a date certain - so if it was used in crime and later found in my possession, I won't have to explain (as much). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Frank what about the "United States Property" stamped on the slide? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Wow. Totally awesome Frank. I would suggest you not even THINK about bringing those guns anywhere near a gvmt bureaucracy. Trust me on this. You DO NOT WANT to prove your innocence if that 45 turns up hot, or worse.

If you don't want the POS revolver, I would personally destroy it. Disassemble, Smash it with a maul, bandsaw it up, and toss it in the gulf.

The 1911... Now that is a beautiful gun.

#1 do not even think about refinishing it. It will totally destroy the value.

#2 If you know a cop personally, ask them to run the SN for you. IF not, PM me, and I will have it run to find if it is stolen. Odds are VERY high that if those guns go into a PD, they will not ever leave. As a general rule, cops do not like to see guns go back out onto the street, and if they can keep one locked up in an evidence room, they usually feel it's better that way. Not ALL cops, but.... I have learned this the hard way. They'll take your gun, and not give 2 crap about it.

#3 It's PROB. NOT stolen, or at least not reported stolen, and you've got yourself an awesome firearm. I'd clean it up as best I could, keep it oiled up, and shoot a few rounds through it every so often.

JMB would be proud.

After closely looking at those pictures. If you refinish that gun, it will cause 100 bald eagle chicks to die, 100 American flags to spontaneously combust, baby jesus to cry for 100 years, and John Moses Browning will roll in his grave. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Les, it's stamped on the frame of the Colts of this vintage. I think WWII officers were allowed to keep/buy their sidearms when they came home. They may have been required to buy their service pistol, but I don't remember. If not, a lot of them stole from the government. I also have a real nice Mossberg .22 magazine-fed bolt-action rifle of WWII vintage that has USN markings. I guess it was a training rifle.

Curtis, you're right about the refinishing. I first thought it wasn't worth much because it was so gummed up and had some light rust, but after dunking and rubbing it with A/T fluid, it looks great - it just needs to be cleaned and used.

Frank

I know nothing about this stuff, but can I ask why the first gun should be destroyed?