Colt Sistema 1911 ?'s

[rballi]

I just got a Colt Sistema 1927 Argentine 1911A1 45 Semi-Auto. How can you tell if it has been arsenal refinished? It has the Argentine Coat of Arms, but no import marks. The Serial Number (89,000 range) is the same on the barrel, slide, and frame. It has SIST. COLT CAL. 11.25 MM MOD. 1927 on one side of the slide, and DGFM (FMAP) on the other; what does that mean?

It is blue (about %80 or better) and not parkerized, so I'm guessing it's not a refurb. Also, what date of mfg was the 89k serial number range?

Roy

 

[vanfunk]

Sounds like it was a pre-'68 import, and by your description it seems like yours still has its original finish. Does it look like this?:

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/pr987.htm

I'm not sure of the manufacture date; methinks the 8xxxx numbers were manufactured in the '50's.

Hope this helps,
vanfunk

 

[rballi]

nice pic vanfunk!

Yes, the gun looks like your pic, but with brown plastic grips. I found JLD markings on the gun (under the grips), so I guess it's a JLD gun. Most of the ones that I have seen are parkerized. This one has a blue slide and a slightly dull frame.

Roy

 

[match]

your Sistema was manufactured in 1956. the serial # range for 1956 is 87,656 - 90,155. I have the complete Sistema manufacture list starting from 1945 thru 1966 if anyone else wants to know what year their sistema was manufactured. I have one that was manufactured in 1954 and am very happy with it.
DGFM is General office of military production.
FMAP is military factory of small arms.

 

[glockorama]

Mine has a serial # in the very early 95,000's range. It is a refurb (looks like new!).
These guns are fantastic shooters, anyone put aftermarket sight on thiers?

 

[VVG]

Here's a link to all the codes and SN dates:

http://www.bedford.net/USERS/djv/sistema.txt

 

[match]

glockorama,
if your serial # is between 95,000 and 95,781 it was manufactured in 1957 if your serial # is 95,782 and above it was manufactured in 1958.
I have not had a chance to change out the sights yet, but plan on doing that in the future.

 

[longeyes]

I had King's Gun Works put on new sights on my '56-vintage Sistema. For me it's meant a huge difference in accuracy (don't ask). This is my first 1911 and I'm quite happy with it. I've got about 1200 rounds through mine so far with just one malf (a stovepipe caused, I'm thinking, by a 10-round extended mag I've used a few times).