Colt Automic Calibre 455

[BOB LOUGHLIN]

Hi, I don't post on this part of the forum often, I'm a M1 Carbine junkie, but I bought a basket case Colt this week-end at the Gun Show in San Antonio that appears to be made up of two different Colts. The slide and BBL I believe to be of the 445 cal and with a set of crossed sabers just to the upper left of the Stallion on the left rear of the slide. The Title stamping is on the right side. The BBL is marked on the right side of the BBL above the lug with three stampings. The first is a Crown above a circle with a V inside, the next is a Crown above a circle with a CP inside and the last is the NP. The frame is Colt, but only has the Triangle with the VP inside it on the front part of the trigger guard and a T on the rear part oe the trigger guard. No Inspector stamping or P above the mag release. All the parts are there and I assembled the pistol . There is also a extra BBL that is marked COLT 45 AUTO just above the lug on the lower left side. The lug is stamped with a P just above and to the right of the pin and a S on the bottom in front of the lug. I only have 1 book on the 45 ( J.C.Harrison ) printed in 2003 and it tells me this extra BBL is a Colt Type 6 , 1943 ? BBL. The slide is pitted slightly on the front of the slide on both sides and a few spots under the patented date and a small spot under the word Calibre on the other side. My question ( I don't have a camara ) are these parts worth anything to anyone. I know what the WW-II BBL might bring, but have no idea about the British BBL and Slide. Also, this book I have has them I.D.ed as RAF between Jan 1918 and April 1919. Thank You for any Info. Bob

[da gimp]

is there a serial # stamped under the firing pin stop on the slide? if it does, does it match the serial # on the frame? You really need to post pix , so that the experts here (Johhny Peppers, Scott G, oldcanuck, John H. are some of them) can see what you really have.......

[BOB LOUGHLIN]

da gimp. Yes, there is a number 2 under the fireing pin stop. Only a 2. The frame is not a 1911, it is a 1911A1, and I can only guess it's a commercial Colt. The orig. ser# has been removed and a new # stamped. I don't have a camara, and not sure how to use one to post pictures. I do have a friend that might be able to help, but am not able to get with him anytime today. I'll leave him a note on his DT and Cell. Thanks.

[billsm1]

Pics for Bob

Pics for Bob

[billsm1]

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[Duane Hansen]

If the serial number has been altered and a new number applied, it would be good to toss the frame into a lake somewhere as it is against the law to have or sell. The rest of the parts could be sold, just strip the frame and dump it quick.

[joem]

Might have been used in England, maybe.

[BOB LOUGHLIN]

Duane, I'm not asking about the frame. I know you have a vast info link about 1911's and 1911A1's like Johnny Peppers. My questions are about the slide and BBL. If you can give me a hint about the value or rarety, that would be very helpful. Thanks, Bob.

[ebeeby]

Crown V is a standard British inspection mark. A lot of Colts were sold to British stores for the private purchase of officers - sort of an Army Navy store that had everything an officer could need to fill out his kit.
Many of these pistols were 45acp though some were 455. The Brits had regulations about using 455 but this was commonly ignored and 45acp was carried. I have a 1914 commercial 1911 with crown V marks that was very probably carried in the war.
The 455 version is certainly much much rarer in the collector circles I frequent and the last 455 barrel I saw went for more than $600.

[Johnny P]

The proofs shown on the barrel are from the British 1904/1925 Proof Law. In 1916 the nitro proof (arm holding scimitar over NP) was added.

I would think the barrel would be worth $200/250 to someone that had a receiver and slide with the same proofs, and the slide in the condition show around $200.

[BOB LOUGHLIN]

Thank You ebeeby. I don't have a 455 round , but when I insert a 45 round, it swallows the bullet. Both barrels retain about the same original bluing and wear patterns. There is no rust on either barrel and the rifleing is strong and shiney. I'm going to sell the 455 and keep the other barrel as a spare for my two tone Colt. Thanks Again to All for the info. Bob.

[da gimp]

good advice on dumping the frame..........possession of any firearm that has had it's serial # removed or defaced or the manufacturer's name removed or defaced are both SERIOUS federal felonies to even possess........ in Missouri, they are state felonies too & daam serious ones....... if caught with one, you could lose your entire collection & maybe your house & vehicles under federal forfeiture laws....... think how pleased the wife will be when that happens as well as having your bank accts & credit cards frozen/seized.............because of one daam silly mistake..........Heck just hiring an extremely competent defense attorney will break you financially.............& you will need one too..........

[AlanD]

The slide at least bears a British military proof mark of crossed pennants, located above the rampant horse. I can't see any other military markings, only London commercial proof marks.

Regards

AlanD
Sydney

[Tuna]

Serial number removed and another one added in it's place? Who is to say the new number wasn't assigned to the frame by ATF.

[Johnny P]

Without documentation, it is just a pistol with an altered serial number.