In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Opinions on the finish of this 1911

altecgbaltecgb Member Posts: 165 ✭✭✭
edited January 2014 in Ask the Experts
1911 combat commander in 38 super thats for sale locally. I can't tell if this is a factory finish of if someone polished the sides at some point. The lettering on the right side is a little thin which makes me suspect an aftermarket job. Your thoughts?

XoLh6iwl.jpg

rydwr2wl.jpg
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    satin nickle may have serial numbers that have 70SC or 70BS or 80BS as part of the serial Your pictures are not good enough on my computer to allow me to give a definitive opinion on your pistols finish. as to original or not I can't quite read the serial number and [V]looks like you blacked out at least 2 of them. Colts during this time frame had problems with their finish and it seemed they were prone to show scratching and even chipping of their finish you may be able to tell with grips off and pay attention to grip screw bushing finish both inside and outside of Grip frame.

    EDIT
    There are many things when looking at bigger pictures That are red flags to me as far as being original finish. for sure would not have the grip screws now installed . Slide stop and safety really look bad as well as the slide stop Notch in the slide itself . If you are buying from the original owner then my opinion he is trying to deceive If it is in a gunshop . Then the owner might have Thought it was original. note this is just My opinion as it stands now but like any OPINION mine may be wrong . With a hands on inspection I would
    become more sure of my opinion one way or the other.

    edit II Again with out hands on inspection. I will not make a Statement I can't back up with Proof But I will be willing to bet the pistol you are looking and posted pictures of IS in Fact SATIN NICKLE NOT stainless and was made 1977.ONLY A LETTER FROM COLT would settle the question once and for all.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hard to tell. Looks like electroless nickel finish. Sides look a little shined.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=electroless+nickel+plating+colt&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=jvrbUp7UL8axoQTR2IHQDg&ved=0CKYBELAE&biw=1093&bih=502#facrc=_&imgdii=6hwI5XsEgW0ZkM:;oAMqDDim3a1uBM;6hwI5XsEgW0ZkM:&imgrc=6hwI5XsEgW0ZkM%3A;0HkeWtTHY4B4ZM;http%3A%2F%2Fi116.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo25%2Fpogo2%2FColtGoldCup70nickel13.jpg;http%3A%2F%2Fthefiringline.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D303249;800;600
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • altecgbaltecgb Member Posts: 165 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    satin nickle may have serial numbers that have 70SC or 70BS or 80BS as part of the serial Your pictures are not good enough on my computer to allow me to give a definitive opinion on your pistols finish. as to original or not I can't quite read the serial number and [V]looks like you blacked out at least 2 of them. Colts during this time frame had problems with their finish and it seemed they were prone to show scratching and even chipping of their finish you may be able to tell with grips off and pay attention to grip screw bushing finish both inside and outside of Grip frame.



    It is a 70BSnnnnn serial number. It's still at the store and I don't think they will let me take off the grips.

    Bigger pictures are below

    http://i.imgur.com/XoLh6iw.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/rydwr2w.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Look at the right side holes, they looks dished out [B)]
    It looks hard chromed, like mine,

    800x600

    I dished and flattened the slide stop before hard chrome put on [;)]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • altecgbaltecgb Member Posts: 165 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gary wray
    Looking at the Colt carefully, it is hard to tell if it is polished or not. One thing for sure, it has been well used with lots of marks on such on both the metal and the wood. One thing I always look at on Colts is the rampart Colt and it looks good as does the Colt logo. So with you saying BC is in the serial # and PS tells you that is in the Colt satin finish range.....and satin finishes show lots of wear very easy....probably is the real deal. You don't tell us what they want for it so its condition would be critical to the price for me. But you can't beat a Colt[:D]


    Asking $950 out the door. Based on what I see on the auction side that is a little on the high side but not crazy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Look at the bottom edge of the slide on both sides; it should be a sharp edge. I'm pretty sure it's been polished & refinished. An original satin nickel should look like this:

    ColtCommander2.jpg

    Neal
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 70 series Colt in 38 Super with a box would be a very quick seller in my area at just under a $1000.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bill DeShivsBill DeShivs Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The gun is stainless steel, factory finish. Not satin nickel, not hard chrome.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.