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Philip Van Cleave, Firearms Instructor
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I have a Colt 1911 A1 serial # XXXXX GHD behind trigger.

Resolved Question:

I have a Colt 1911 A1 serial # XXXXX GHD behind trigger. Finish extremely good and I believe original as all lettering crisp and clear. Appears all original but not sure about clip.
Ballpark guess?

Submitted: 1 year ago.
Category: Firearms
Expert:  Philip Van Cleave replied 1 year ago.

Thank you for using Just Answer!

The military version of the Colt Model 1911A1 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, has a 5 inch barrel, fixed sights, a 7 shot magazine, a flat main spring housing, a bright blue finish up to serial 780000 and parkerized after that, with checkered walnut grips. There were approximately 1,543,068 manufactured between 1924 and 1945 by a variety of manufacturers. The slide is marked "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY."

Based on the supplied serial number, your gun was made by Colt in 1944. The GHD letters stand for "Guy H. Drewry," the Colt inspector for the serial numbers from 845000 -(NNN) NNN-NNNN

If you gun has not been reworked at an arsenal, the Blue Book values are as follows (what a dealer would offer you, add around 20% for retail values):

Excellent: $3,000-$3,500
Very Good: $2,000-$2,500
Good: $1,000-$1,600

If your gun has been reworked (there will be arsenal markings on the left side behind or above the trigger, such as AA, SA, or RIA), here are the Blue Book values:

Excellent: $1,050-$1,400
Very Good: $775-$950
Good: $495-$625

I hope this helps.

Philip

Customer: replied 1 year ago.

My pistol has a curved mainspring housing. Appears parkerized. No arsenal markings that I can find, but there is a P lightly stamped below the mag release button. Markings on right side frame are UNITED STATES PROPERTY M1911A1 U.S.ARMY and beneath that is No 162215x. Left side of slide is series of 5 patent # XXXXX in Aug 19,1913 then Colt insignia and then COLT'S PT.F.A MFG.CO. HARTFORD,CO U.S.A.

No other markinds on outer gun. It's the flat backstrap you mention that has me concerned.

Expert:  Philip Van Cleave replied 1 year ago.

The "P" is correct for the GHD marked gun.

That mainspring housing should be arched on the 1911A1. The flat mainspring in the description above was incorrect, sorry.

Philip

Philip Van Cleave, Firearms Instructor
Category: Firearms
Positive Feedback: 99.4 %
Satisfied Customers: 2371
Experience: Firearms instructor, 40 years experience with firearms.
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