CMP 1911

[SkyHawk]

Trying to get a period correct mainspring housing for my 1911. Is this one correct for a Colt made in 1943?

Seems to have a little rust with some pitting on the side. Tired to clean it off with 00 steel wool. Any issues with using this one? Should I continue to look for a better one? Checkered mainspring housings are getting harder and harder to find at a reasonable price.

Thanks.

Pictures with the following link:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/192028598@N05/Dc874M

No, something is off about that MSH. The diamonds should be raised, not hollows. I have never seen anything like that. Here are GI MSH http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/parts/mainspring.htm

Maybe you have something unique there, it looks old and has a pinned lanyard loop so likely not some modern humped up job, but I don't know what to make of those reverse diamonds. It seems that was likely done in a casting mold, and I don't think GI parts are cast but I could be wrong. You should ask in the C&R subforum.

EDIT: It may be from a Sistema 1927. I read that they changed to that type of cast MSH with reverse checkering around 1950 to cut costs.

https://www.1911forum.com/threads/m1927-sistema-msh.237226/

PS - the condition does not look bad at all, I would hold off on anymore 'cleanup' until you know what it is. If it is super rare, you don't want to do anything else to it. But my gut tells me it does not belong on a USGI 1911A1.

[Spyder]

I don't know anything about it, but I love the look of it.

[Mojaveman]

Nice find.

The M1911A1 was the first handgun I shot and trained with. Yours is a Colt and it's in better shape than any of the Remington's and Ithaca's I was issued.

[neomedic]

^^^ Thanks. I feel I defiantly lucked out on my 1911. Stoked that it was a Colt slide and frame. Even more stoked that the frame was made in 1943.

Just trying to get the hammer and mainspring housing correct for the all Colt.

[neomedic]

Would this be the correct mainspring housing for this Colt? Is this a MSH a good one? Anything to watch out for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mint-WW2-Colt-1911-Early-Checkered-Mainspring-Housing-1911A1-USGI-M1911-RARE-/265094028555?hash=item3db8d5dd0b%3Ag%3A1xoAAOSwxtxgWek5&nma=true&si=9MAm%252FomA4%252FQbr6I82unw93o6YUc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[SkyHawk]

That MSH looks about right, appears to be in good condition but we could always hope for better pics. That is an eye-popping price for sure.

[neomedic]

^^^ Definitely!! Good to know what I should be looking for and what condition that is considered to be.

Every checkered MSH on ebay is selling for astronomical prices. I guess with the CMP 1911 program, everyone is trying to get parts to build a complete period correct pistol.

Anyone know of another good source to find parts that are a little more reasonable?

Thanks.

[neomedic]

Would this be the correct hammer (type 4) for my 1911?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-WW-2-Colt-USGI-1911A1-Hammer-Type-4-Wide-Spur-/184653105313?hash=item2afe2ec8a1%3Ag%3AjnYAAOSwjaBgHuq5&nma=true&si=avEGudjjCtbZi5eMXlYoUUf1du8%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Thanks.