1918 Colt 1911 thumb safety question

[gfguns]

Do you think the thumb safety in this pistol is correct? Serial number is 401806


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=335047980

Thanks
Greg

[Johnny P]

I would not expect to see that safety lock on that pistol. Right grip has been re-cut, and possibly left grip also.

[gfguns]

Thanks Johnny that's what I thought. Looks like the first type safety with the thin thumb piece which I believe was phased out before production got to 100,000. I didn't notice the grips probably because I wouldn't know what to look for. How do you spot a re-cut?

[Johnny P]

The checkering should have an overall even look to it. Notice the lines in the checkering that stands out from the others from probably being cut too deep, as well as the mess in the lower right hand corner of the grip.

[gfguns]

Thanks again Johnny. I will have it in hand tomorrow, got my fingers crossed those are the only issues.

[gfguns]

Any chance that thumb safety is original?

[gfguns]

Pictures and update

Here are some detailed pictures of the pistol. I used a hot light to show the thinning browning and scars. No glamour shots here.



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[gfguns]

more pictures

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[Scott Gahimer]

Thanks for the photos. Is the recoil spring plug Parked? Finish looks matte in the photo.

[gfguns]

Yes Scott good eye but the seller insists it is all original parts.

[Duane Hansen]

While we may not expect to see this type of early thumb safety on a 1918 pistol. I would say that at least half of the 1918 pistols that I have observed have one like this. It maybe such a thing that Colt made many extra early thumb safetys and just used them until they were gone. I know Colt never let anything go to waste.

[Johnny P]

The safety lock wasn't changed until approximately mid-1918, so it would stand to reason that production for the first half of 1918 would have the old style.

[gfguns]

Thanks all I appreciate the feedback. Originally I was thinking the thumb safety was the first type referred to as "sharp" but after an in hand inspection I think it is the second type and that is good enough for me on a mid 1918 especially since the polishing is rough and the finish matches other parts. The barrel, slide and frame have corresponding/matching wear patterns so I am confident they are all original to each other. The plug as Scott pointed out is parked and the recoil spring guide has been worked on with a grinder so those I will correct. If you notice the area around the disconnect hole of the slide has been polished along with the radius bottom of the firing pin retainer I guess to reduce drag on the hammer. Considering these issues along with the weaker than described finish and the recut grips I tried to exercise the option to return it but the seller made it impossible for me me to do so. First time I have been burned buying on gunbroker. This is an OK Black Army but definitely not as described and no longer original.

[Scott Gahimer]

All in all, for the price you paid, I think you probably did okay. However, I know you well enough to know that's not the issue. The pistol isn't what it was represented to be and, even once corrected, you'll always know it isn't original. That is the rub for a purist collector.

A lot of guys use the online auction and sales sites to buy pistols from people they don't know. Most of the time...probably...sellers are honest enough to at least honor a return policy. However, I'd wager to say most of the time buyers don't exercise that privilege. Some buyers don't see what's wrong with a pistol, some are resellers and really don't care, as long as there is profit in the transaction. Sometimes, there isn't any return policy to begin with, or the buyer lets things slide and simply doesn't bother trying to return.

Some sellers are simply dishonest enough to not honor a description they provide or their return policy. Maybe they're desperate for the money? Who knows. Dishonest is dishonest. There are risks buying anything from anyone. I simply try to reduce the risk by only buying after I've been able to inspect an item in hand. That doesn't play well to using most online auction and sales sites. There aren't many people willing to send guns to people they don't know before being paid. So...I just don't normally buy online from people I don't know. Instead, we spend a lot of time on the road going to gun shows and/or to meet people with guns for sale.

It's a lot less expensive to sit at home and take additional risks. Many with limited time and money use the online sites pretty effectively to buy. Personally, it's more a matter of principle for me. I don't have unlimited time or money. I'd simply rather miss 3-4 good pistols as to buy one that doesn't satisfy me. I don't enjoy confronting liars, cheats or arguing with anyone who thinks they've got my butt stretched over a barrel holding my money while I have their misrepresented pistol. I may miss the opportunity to buy some good pistols, but I enjoy the consolation of knowing exactly what I'm buying before I pay for it. I'm still able to buy a lot of good pistols. Normally, however, it requires more time and expense to do so. When I weigh my odds and consider the options, I'm okay with that.

When I look at pistols that don't satisfy me, I just put them down and move on. I try not to offer any indication of what I think. I just buy some and pass on others. Pissing people off is not a hobby; it's a profession. Folks who want a detailed examination and report on their pistols can order that and pay for it. Most sellers don't want that and I don't provide it to burn bridges. I don't enjoy having to tell anyone what's wrong with a pistol. So I avoid that when I can. As a buyer, that rarely comes up. I just buy the ones I want and walk away from the others. That's very difficult to do buying online.

[gfguns]

Yes I think I'll be OK but overall an ugly deal. Thanks