ID a Colt 1911 ... Help please.

[Eagerquest]

I came upon a Colt that I don't understand the SN.

It's a Colt 1911 U.S. Army .45

Serial number: LAP5577xxx

It looks as if it was re-stamped and is blued.

Can anyone help ID/info this?
Thanks.

Also a Mark lV Series 70 Gold Cup SN: 70N62xxx

[GM4spd]

You need to post a pic of the first serial numbered pistol. That combo of
letters/numbers does not go to any original Army (Military)Colt 45 that
I can document. Pete

[Eagerquest]

Colt 1911 U.S. Army

[Eagerquest]

After closer inspection (putting on my glasses) I see that the last number is not a numeral, but a diamond shape.

[SkyHawk]

Restamp not even in a straight line. And is that a hint of a weld joint I see there - perhaps demilled at one time?

[Eagerquest]

Mark IV Series 70

[Eagerquest]

Restamp not even in a straight line. And is that a hint of a weld joint I see there - perhaps demilled at one time?

Not a weld joint...the old information was removed and a new stamp applied.

[SkyHawk]

Maybe, maybe not a weld job. It has a faint mark exactly where I would expect to see a reweld, and a restamp - two signs. But if they aren't trying to pass it off as US property, then I don't know why they would bother with a welded frame.

[Eagerquest]

[Eagerquest]

It clearly looks to me that the Government property was removed. And a weld would show through on the inside as well, correct...and there is no evidence of that.

[oktavist]

http://www.colt.com/CustomerServices/SerialNumberLookup.aspx

If you ignore the LAP part, 5577xx comes back as 1918.

The eagle stamp under the slide stop was also used around that time according to here:

http://coolgunsite.com/pistols/Frame%20and%20Slide%20Markings.htm

To me, it looks like it was demilled, welded back together, sanded down, restamped and blued to help hide the welding.

Check out the trigger guard for possible weld marks also.

[Milsurp Collector]

The serial number is not original and you can see the ghost of another serial number above the new serial number. The UNITED STATES PROPERTY marking was removed before the pistol was refinished.

An unaltered serial number and UNITED STATES PROPERTY marking are the first two things you should look for on a USGI M1911. No property marking eliminates the collector value. It is illegal to even possess a firearm with a serial number that has been removed, obliterated, or altered.

(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport, ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

[GM4spd]

Clusterfick.

[Ethon1]

It's highly probable the original serial numbers and markings were removed. You can still see the remaining definition of the letter "Y" as pointed out by Milsurp Collector for the word "PROPERTY". Here is a sample which Milsurp Collector posted as ref. - http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...6&postcount=18

The current serial markings were made by the Los Angeles Police SID (Scientific Investigation Division) prior/up to the 1980's. At some point, it was cleared and released. You may try to contact them regarding the last known history.

Good luck.

[mike415stone]

The old numbers almost look to be the same as the new numbers.