Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns colt 1911 manufacture date

serial #C1068x above ser #government model on slide colt automatic caliber 45.

left side,on slide. patented apr 20 1897.sept 9.1902 dec 19 1905. feb 14 1911.aug 19. 1913.
colt's pt. f. a. mfg co.
hartford.ct.u.s.a. [ picture of a rearing colt on the area behind the slide grips

1914 commercial

by commercial do you mean made for law enforcement or milatary?

Civilian sales. C denotes commercial. Military never had a letter in front of the serial number, would also be so marked on the frame.

Everything you want to know is here.
http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/1911infopage.htm

this gun was issued to the Canadian military some time around the second world war , My FIL was issued it .

This should explain.

1) Colt M1911 Canadian Contract: S/N C5400 to C16599 = Sept. to Nov., 1914 ( Only 5000 pistols in this serial number range were shipped to Canada.) Caliber .45 ACP

2) Colt M1911A1 Canadian Contract: S/N 930,000 to 936,000 = 1943 ( 1,515 military model pistols were shipped to Canada through the Lend-Leased Act from this serial number range.) Caliber .45 ACP

From a military forum.

I thought that I would show you guys my new Canadian Contract Colt 1911. Its kind of a hard pistol to find here in Canada, so I was ecstatic when I found it. Not many people know about these pistols so I hope you all find it interesting.
Just after the start of Mobilization in 1914, the (corrupt) Minster of Militia Sam Hughes decided to kit out the entire Canadian Military with Colt 1911's. However due to the neutrality act of the time, the Americans could not sell us military kit. So we had one or two procurement officers buy 5000 Commercial Models for themselves. They were delivered over a period of time and they are not all sequentially numbered. He was only able to really equipe the first two contingents and officers had to buy thier own from the already bought lots. NCO's had thier issued.

Thanks Swifty that explains a lot, some how some of these pistols must have been retained buy the Canadian Army to be reissued in the 40s. my FIL was a Sargent that ended up training others, he made it to England but never the front lines though his other 3 brothers did ,and 1 did not come home.

any idea how much this pistol would be worth?

Value is dependent on condition and originality of all the parts. Generally commercial models bring a slightly better price than military due to the fit and finish was generally better, plus they are more likely to be unmolested. 1914 there were roughly 12,000 Commercial pistols made with 5000 going to Canada so it is not a common year to find 1917 is most common with roughly 50,000 made.
Now whether your pistol sat never issued from 1914 to 1940 is an unknown. It may have or it could have been rearmored then put back in service which was a common practice. Plus the fact that you have an oddball commercial model that was issued by a military unit which is extremely odd.
If 100% correct in parts, original bluing is 80% or better 2000+, with the history behind it and being such an oddity it could go a lot higher. Personally I wouldn’t sell the thing. In good condition it’s still shootable with modern loads although I would take it easy as the steel isn’t as stout as it is today.

Nice piece of history there. Good luck.

the checkering on the grips is not overly worn, not sharp peeks but not deep wear , slide has little blueing left ,canvas holester for years, carry wear , maybe 20% blueing left overall.

I don't know if there is anyway to find out if it was issued in 1914 or up graded for the second World War .Ill make a call or two and see if the history can be traced.

thanks for your help.

norm