New to me Colt Gov questions

[OkiePewPew]

Anyone know how to find an age range/history on this. Colt Gov 45 C99326

Unfortunately, there’s some pitting which is med depth. May want to restore it and keep alongside my TRP.

Will add better pics when I get better light.

 

[HansGruber]

Nice one.

Very early 1918 production; I misread the line it was on (1918 began at C99000).

C prefix means it was a commercial model.

 

[Recusant]

Hans is correct. The magazine may be correct for a 1918 commercial gov't model. How is the barrel marked?

This one is very close to your serial number: https://www.oldcolt.com/collections...nment-model-45acp-sn-c99388-mfg-1918-lunchbox

More info: www.oldcolt.com/collections/colt-government-model-1911

 

[Annihilator]

If it was me, I would just leave it as is, gives it character

 

[Old_Me]

If it was me, I would just leave it as is, gives it character

yeah true, the public range i go to, has (or had) a very old Colt built in 1918 as well, for $2,000...i'd not restore it either, it's a survivor. it just needs as close to the original wooden grips as well.

 

[Recusant]

Refinishing a vintage 1911 will ruin any collector value. Take it apart and clean off all the grease and grime. Be carful when removing the grips. Sometimes they are stuck to the frame. Oil it up good. Plenty of opinions on the net as too whether you should shoot an older 1911 that has collector valve.

 

[OkiePewPew]

Hans is correct. The magazine may be correct for a 1918 commercial gov't model. How is the barrel marked?

This one is very close to your serial number: https://www.oldcolt.com/collections...nment-model-45acp-sn-c99388-mfg-1918-lunchbox

More info: www.oldcolt.com/collections/colt-government-model-1911
View attachment 36599

The barrrel has a P and a 5. Didn’t see any other proofs but will look closer when I clean it.

 

[OkiePewPew]

If it was me, I would just leave it as is, gives it character

It’s not a bad idea. Will def consider.

 

[OkiePewPew]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. We are going to go ahead and keep it as is. Does the “C” commercial designation lower the value? It was mfg in early 1918 so still a wartime sn.

 

[Recusant]

The barrrel has a P and a 5. Didn’t see any other proofs but will look closer when I clean it.

Then your barrel should look like this:

This is the hood on a 1913 commerical, but I can't remember how long they were marked this way.

I'd say your barrel may be orginial to that pistol.

 

[OkiePewPew]

Then your barrel should look like this:



View attachment 36618
This is the hood on a 1913 commerical, but I can't remember how long they were marked this way.
View attachment 36619
I'd say your barrel may be orginial to that pistol.

That’s it. I’ll check for the other proofs shown in the photo.

 

[HansGruber]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. We are going to go ahead and keep it as is. Does the “C” commercial designation lower the value? It was mfg in early 1918 so still a wartime sn.

There were very limited numbers of wartime commercial models made, when compared to GI, so…it’s maybe a bit more desirable…particularly if it’s still 100% factory original.

(Looks like there were only 7000 C models made in 1918, so…)