[dk2001gt]

I just purchased this Colt 1911. I’m not real familiar with them. So here is my question. I looks like it has been painted. According to the serial number(between 112,000-112750) it was manufactured in 1915. I don’t think it is any kind of bluing. Almost looks like platinum dip. Any help would be appreciated. I’d like to remove the paint to see what the original finish underneath looks like. And don’t worry I won’t be using steel wool or any other abrasive. Was thinking some sort of chemical stripper.

 

[mkk41]

I'd first try soaking in Acetone , lacquer thinner , or enamel reducer. Won't hurt metal , but will soften most paints to the point ya can scrape it off with a sharpened wooden tongue depressor or you fingernails.

 

[1saxman]

The slide is from a later 1918 pistol and of course it has been modified with target sights. I think the frame is worth preserving since it seems to be in good condition and the markings are very distinct.
Whatever, Citri-Strip will probably get that crud off. Once you get it off, the next concern is rust on the unprotected steel. One finish is Parkerizing. This has no polishing associated with it and only a light blast is done. Or you could have it blued over a light blast which is also called 'Black Oxide'. The barrel should be blued over a light wire-brush finish. Both black oxide and Parkerizing are economical finishes. I think the black oxide would be the thing for that one with some walnut checkered grips.
BTW, if you elect to do a finish like I mentioned, you don't have to remove the junk unless you're going to do it yourself. If you take it to a shop, their preparation will take care of the old paint.

 

[Che]

#1 welcome aboard. BTW you posted in the wrong section.

#2 you got a 106 year old beater. Hopefully you did not get taken.

 

[dsk]

#1 was fixed by the forum staff.

#2 depends on how much the OP paid.

 

[dk2001gt]

The slide is from a later 1918 pistol and of course it has been modified with target sights. I think the frame is worth preserving since it seems to be in good condition and the markings are very distinct.
Whatever, Citri-Strip will probably get that crud off. Once you get it off, the next concern is rust on the unprotected steel. One finish is Parkerizing. This has no polishing associated with it and only a light blast is done. Or you could have it blued over a light blast which is also called 'Black Oxide'. The barrel should be blued over a light wire-brush finish. Both black oxide and Parkerizing are economical finishes. I think the black oxide would be the thing for that one with some walnut checkered grips.
BTW, if you elect to do a finish like I mentioned, you don't have to remove the junk unless you're going to do it yourself. If you take it to a shop, their preparation will take care of the old paint.

The slide is from a later 1918 pistol and of course it has been modified with target sights. I think the frame is worth preserving since it seems to be in good condition and the markings are very distinct.
Whatever, Citri-Strip will probably get that crud off. Once you get it off, the next concern is rust on the unprotected steel. One finish is Parkerizing. This has no polishing associated with it and only a light blast is done. Or you could have it blued over a light blast which is also called 'Black Oxide'. The barrel should be blued over a light wire-brush finish. Both black oxide and Parkerizing are economical finishes. I think the black oxide would be the thing for that one with some walnut checkered grips.
BTW, if you elect to do a finish like I mentioned, you don't have to remove the junk unless you're going to do it yourself. If you take it to a shop, their preparation will take care of the old paint.

#1 welcome aboard. BTW you posted in the wrong section.

#2 you got a 106 year old beater. Hopefully you did not get taken.

so what would a fair price have been?

 

[dk2001gt]

The slide is from a later 1918 pistol and of course it has been modified with target sights. I think the frame is worth preserving since it seems to be in good condition and the markings are very distinct.
Whatever, Citri-Strip will probably get that crud off. Once you get it off, the next concern is rust on the unprotected steel. One finish is Parkerizing. This has no polishing associated with it and only a light blast is done. Or you could have it blued over a light blast which is also called 'Black Oxide'. The barrel should be blued over a light wire-brush finish. Both black oxide and Parkerizing are economical finishes. I think the black oxide would be the thing for that one with some walnut checkered grips.
BTW, if you elect to do a finish like I mentioned, you don't have to remove the junk unless you're going to do it yourself. If you take it to a shop, their preparation will take care of the old paint.

Thanks for the information. Just outta curiosity how did you identify the slide as a 1918?

 

[mlin]

Thanks for the information. Just outta curiosity how did you identify the slide as a 1918?

Sans-Serif font and pony in the middle.

The finish look pretty decent and refinishing will not bring back the glory of the original. If it was mine, I'd keep it as is and just change the sight back to low profile GI style if possible (but you need to check if the front sight is the infamous Millett dual-crimp type which drilled 2 big holes on the slide).

 

[dk2001gt]

Thanks for the information. Just outta curiosity how did you identify the slide as a 1918?

Is it because the rampant colt should be at the rear of the slide by the hammer?

 

[dk2001gt]

Sans-Serif font and pony in the middle.

The finish look pretty decent and refinishing will not bring back the glory of the original. If it was mine, I'd keep it as is and just change the sight back to low profile GI style if possible (but you need to check if the front sight is the infamous Millett dual-crimp type which drilled 2 big holes on the slide).

No holes drilled for the front sight. I am planning on putting original sights back on it.

 

[dsk]

The font of the US Property mark tells us that it's an earlier frame than the slide. Besides the sights the slide stop is also from a much later gun, probably post-WW2. The grip safety is post-1924. Whether or not you can easily strip the painted finish off of it will depend on what it is. Ordinary paint is easy to remove, but an epoxy or other "wonder coating" like Cerakote isn't. Current value is probably around $7-800 or so.

 

[1saxman]

The radius return on the front sides of the slide for the year of the pistol would've been a simple radius, or 'ball-cut' ending a little before the frame extension end. The longer curve that comes back to the frame end started between the 1917 and 1918 revisions. That, plus the pony location and type font, because there were some 1917s with a combination of these features.
You're not going to be able to correct the sights. The front one is probably brazed in and the rear one looks like the dovetail was widened. You may as well blue it and have a cool shooter for the same price as a very boring one.

 

[dk2001gt]

The font of the US Property mark tells us that it's an earlier frame than the slide. Besides the sights the slide stop is also from a much later gun, probably post-WW2. The grip safety is post-1924. Whether or not you can easily strip the painted finish off of it will depend on what it is. Ordinary paint is easy to remove, but an epoxy or other "wonder coating" like Cerakote isn't. Current value is probably around $7-800 or so.

it Could be any Arsenal refinish right?

 

[dk2001gt]

The radius return on the front sides of the slide for the year of the pistol would've been a simple radius, or 'ball-cut' ending a little before the frame extension end. The longer curve that comes back to the frame end started between the 1917 and 1918 revisions. That, plus the pony location and type font, because there were some 1917s with a combination of these features.
You're not going to be able to correct the sights. The front one is probably brazed in and the rear one looks like the dovetail was widened. You may as well blue it and have a cool shooter for the same price as a very boring one.

Well damn.

 

[BobG78]

Looks like Millet sights. If so, the front is most likely dual crimp type and the rear would use a unmodified dovetail.

 

[Frank Vaccaro]

#1 was fixed by the forum staff.

#2 depends on how much the OP paid.

Someone once told me you didn't pay too much, just too soon.😀

 

[MG08]

not an arsenal refinish. somebody painted it with something.

 

[dsk]

An arsenal refinish would be Parkerizing which is a phosphate finish. The military didn't use paint in those days.

 

[mkk41]

Looks like Millet sights. If so, the front is most likely dual crimp type and the rear would use a unmodified dovetail.

Millett did make their front sights with original narrow and later wide tenon "stake-on".

 

[mkk41]

An arsenal refinish would be Parkerizing which is a phosphate finish. The military didn't use paint in those days.

FWIW, The British and some others did use paint on firearms during WWII. IIRC , the Ingles/Canadian Hi-Powers and some Webley revolvers were finished in black paint.