Colt 1911 .45 Auto
 

I know this is a little off the page so to speak, but I suspect that several of the folks on this forum are familiar with a variety of firearms.
I like my lugers, but have an interest in the old Colts as well.
I recently picked up a Colt 1911 that is possibly a commercial model or was used by one of the foreign countries. It has an importer's mark "Essex Arms" out of Vt.
I would like to determine exactly what I have and have included a couple of image files.
I didn't see much need in joining another forum just for a little info, since I'm sure there is probably more than a few of you folks that have a lot of knowledge in many areas.
Thanks for any info that is forthcoming.
barr44

Essex Arms was not a firearms importer, but were a USA based 1911 frame manufacturer back in the 1970's and 80's. I owned an Essex Arms frame myself back then and used it with both .45 caliber surplus parts, and a .22 Colt conversion unit. It was well made, but required a lot of fitting to get the mainspring housing to fit. Once fitted it was fine.

John is right on. Essex produced only frames, meant to be sold to gunsmiths and home builders who wanted to take advantage of the readily available surplus parts back then. I had an Essex framed pistol, with the balance being all GI National Match, which shot pretty well.

In essence, (or Essex?), it's a parts pistol.

I'd like either larger or close ups of the markings on the slide and the essex - I had a 45 built up on a essex frame once, can't remember how it looked...

Weren't Essex one of the first of the cast steel frames??? :confused:

Colt M1911A1 slide; that's a plus. Thumb safety looks GI. If all the parts are OEM GI, it could be a good buy.

The finger clearance reliefs in the Essex frame always struck me as odd...More than a 1911 but not as much as a 1911A1...

Well, that would explain the color difference between the finish on the slide and that of the frame!

Barry

ESSEX parts are hardly known here where I live, but I assume they can be good parts for the money, if assembled properly.
I see that you've got a COLT frame and my question would be whether that gun was built right.
Essex guns (and parts of) have always been considered rather cheap, and most of the times used for assembling cheapish 1911.
Personally I would much prefer to spend the same money on a decent second hand COLT 1991, or a SPRINGFIELD or a REMINGTON R1
Parts gun are also called "frankenstein guns" and they call them like that for a reason.

My two bob.

Cheers.

I concur with Sergio, When I "built" my Essex, it was to create a .22 & .45 shooter as inexpensively as possible (Cheap!). They were cast as has been described above, but still very functional, yet inexpensive frames. I would only consider them "shooter" class guns.

Ed, Here is an enlargement of the markings on both the frame and Colt slide.

The slide is a Colt manufactured armorer's replacement slide.

I knew I could get some good information from you folks, I find that there is a wealth of knowledge amongst all of you. I want to thank all of you and I do appreciate your replies.
I picked this up at an auction and wasn't really sure what it was, but it looked like a 1911, so I ended up with it.
Well, it looks like a 1911 so I can hang it on the wall or I'll get some of the guys at the gun club to look it over and see if it is safe to shoot.
Again, I want to thank you folks!
Thanks, barr44

At the right price, I would love to have this gun as a shooter. The Colt slide alone is worth some money. More so, if the barrel and bushing are also Colt.

I would get some GI grips on it, (I have always hated the look of Pachmayers).

barr44,

Unless this frame/slide has visible cracks in it, the chances of it being unsafe to shoot are pretty slim. The 1911's were made to have a comfortable "fit" so that parts were interchangeable. Last time I looked, .45 ACP ammo at Walmart (in non-reloadable aluminum cases) was about $15.00 a box of 50. Or $21.00 a box with reloadable brass cases. Take it out and enjoy it!

Many 1911 clones are available new for under $600 at many shops or on line.

Essex frames are functional, but problematic if building for the first time- GI parts don't always fit quite right.

They were the "cheapest" frames back in the 60's-70s.

ESSEX parts are considered very cheap, even though after a little fitting they work okay maybe they are not really worth buying, as I'm sure that, especially in the States, a good second hand COLT can be easily found for the same money.

The young man who keeps my lawn mowed (for the last 12 years) just recently purchased a Rock Island Armory 1911 new in the box, with nice wooden grips for only $430.00 if that is any sway to your decision...

I bought a new-in box Rock Island 1911 for $350, out the door for my son at a recent gun show. The fit, finish and accuracy are more than satisfactory for that price point.

The RIA 1911s have quite a following of owners. Apparently, they are a lot of bang for the buck. Some folks upgrade some of the internal parts, others just shoot them as is.

Another image
 

Don't know if it really tells much but here is another image, close-up of lettering and the upper portion of the barrel which has a serial no. with the same first 3 numbers as the s.n. on the slide. It also has .45 Auto. I would like to think since the serial numbers are similar that would indicate the barrel would also be a Colt product. There is some wear on the internals, but without firing it everything seems to function properly. I will get it checked out by someone who is familiar with these guns before I shoot it. If nothing else it looks like I have a shooter grade Colt Essex and unfortunately I paid more than what it is worth. That's what happens if one doesn't know for sure what one is bidding on. Another lesson learned.
Thanks again for all of the good info.
barr44

If you got what you wanted then the money was well spent. :thumbup:

The wear pattern on the muzzle end of the barrel suggests a fitted bushing. You may very well have a very accurate pistol in your hands.

I am going to guess that many/some of us on this forum have less than pristine, less than collectible, mixmasters handguns that perform wonderfully at the range. To me, these handguns are a joy to own and shoot. No concern over wear or broken parts, and a scratch or ding is not Earth shattering.


Take this old "slabsides" to the range and have a good time....life is too short to ponder if it is worth $5 more or less. Enjoy!!