- Colt 1911 Serial Number placement I have recently inheriated a early 1911 sn 38xxx. It has this same serial number on the frame, on the barrel, and on the inside of the slide. I do not find any where the sn's were ever placed on the slide or the barrel. Is this correct or have these numbers been added?
- Sep 09, 2012 Back in 1950 Colt began building guns using the new aluminum alloys. The first two revolvers were the Cobra and the Agent. Colt's small frame revolvers used Colt.
6) Colt M1911 Russian Contract: S/N C23000 to C89000 = Feb. 19, 1916 to Jan. 18, 1917 ( Russia purchased 51,000 M1911.45 ACP pistols during WW I. From this serial number range. Russia purchased more M1911 pistols than any other country besides the U.S.) Regular commercial model Colt except has “English Order” mark in Russian on left side of frame.
I just bought what was advertised to be a Colt Agent 1956 at auction. I have not paid for it yet, as I can not be certain what it is. I am attaching photos. It seems that the finish would make it an 83 or 84 'flat black' finished model. And it almost looks like the grips are not original, or were sanded.
I have not seen anything but checkered wooden grips on an agent, or smooth plastic some years. Also, when I pull up google images of 1956 colt agent, the ejection rod is exposed. This one is shrouded, which would fit in better with the 83 or 84 finish. The seller says the seriel number is W48713. I can not find that serial number in the Colt list, even looking at other models, from proofhouse or the collectors site Any idea? The price was $399 in 'excellent' condition.
Thanks, Mario. I agree with you, that is not a 1956 Agent; a 1956 Agent would have a good polish, a round barrel exposing the ejector rod, and checkered grips that did not wrap under the short butt. The illustrated revolver does indeed look like the plain finish guns of the 1980s. A 1986 Gun Digest shows it as here, complete with uncheckered medallion grips. It was definitely misrepresented. It looks in good condition so it is up to you to decide whether to pay for a serviceable revolver or back out and keep looking for the original version.
I agree with Jim. Part of the problem is that Colt liked to recycle names.
So they used the 'Agent' name on a later-day /economy finish/ Detective Special or Cobra style revolver. To save money the stocks weren't checkered. They were trying to offer a revolver that could compete with Smith & Wesson's Model 36, but while the gun was a functional equal the economy bead-blast and phosphate finish didn't cut it in the marketplace. $400.00 or slightly more will buy you a like-new or almost-like-new Detective Special or Cobra. Switch the stocks, and both would have the Agent configuration. I would tell the seller (and the auction house if necessary) that the gun was misrepresented. To quote a usually reliable source (me): 'A 1986 Gun Digest shows it as here, complete with uncheckered medallion grips.'
Colt Revolver Serial Numbers Lookup
I really doubt it is any sort of special order. They were all over the place in the 1980s. There was also a Commando Special of similar appearance but with steel frame; just a dull finish version of the Detective Special.
I think Colt was doing a parts cleanup, getting all the remaining D frames they could assemble out the door as cheaply as possible. There are NO D frame revolvers of any color in the 1988 catalog.
Colt Saa Serial Numbers List
Lot# 349High Bid: $500.00SOLD.Colt Agent Double Action Revolver, Reduced Cost Finish, with Factory LetterSerial no. W03648.38 Special, 2 1/16-inch shrouded barrel. Model and caliber marking on left side of barrel, maker and address in tiny stamping on right side. Matte black finish of reduced cost, including on alloy frame and sideplate.
Colt Cobra Serial Number Lookup
Without rampant colt logo stamping on frame or sideplate. Smooth walnut grips with gold-plated rampant colt medallion inlays, length extends below butt, exposing gripstraps. Condition: Very good to fine. Handling marks, wear. Notes: Sample and display revolver, including of lesser cost and grade finish and polish, kept by factory.
Sample also in consideration of possibly returning Agent to line. Provenance: Colt Factory Archives Firearms Collection. Estimate: 550 - 750. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Although The High Road has attempted to provide accurate information on the forum, The High Road assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. All information is provided 'as is' with all faults without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. Neither The High Road nor any of its directors, members, managers, employees, agents, vendors, or suppliers will be liable for any direct, indirect, general, bodily injury, compensatory, special, punitive, consequential, or incidental damages including, without limitation, lost profits or revenues, costs of replacement goods, loss or damage to data arising out of the use or inability to use this forum or any services associated with this forum, or damages from the use of or reliance on the information present on this forum, even if you have been advised of the possibility of such damages.