Help Identify This Colt 1911

[AC993]

Hello! hope everyone is doing well. i just recently purchased a 1964 Colt GCNM 1911, but I had some questions & ideas I wanted to run by the Calguns community.

This gun has a funky finish that I have not seen before on a 1911 of this Era, so I wanted to identify what everyone's thoughts are on this. Is this normal for a 1964 era 1911, or is something wrong with my gun?

If you zoom into the posted photos, and pay attention to where the glossy finish meets the matte finish of the firearm, it looks like a different coating was "smeared on" unevenly at the edge, and it goes from a dull matte to a heavy gloss like finish. is this normal?? Pictures posted below;

Otherwise, the gun is in immaculate condition, all internals are in amazing condition. I paid 2400 for the gun, did I get a deal? or was it a bad deal?

Thanks for your feedback!

[enrique12]

It’s been refinished, looks like it was buffed with a polisher since the edges are rounded then possibly the flats were tapped then sand blasted the rounds. That would explain the uneven from the matte and polish flat For 2400 you could’ve gotten an original.

[morrcarr67]

I agree on the refinish. Here's a GCNM from 1964 in OG condition: https://legacy-collectibles.com/31632

[davidj]

I have a 1963 GCNM.
The slide and the sides of the frame are polished.
The bottom of the dust cover, trigger guard front edge and front strap are a matte finish.

I can not make out on your picture if that is what is shown, or something different? I have a older computer monitor. The polished slide does look really polished so it might have been redone, or not used much.

[Oldluck]

That finish looks normal for a ’64 Colt—high polish flats with matte rounds was Colt’s style back then. Not a refinish, just how they did it. At $2400 in that condition, you did fine.

[hermosabeach]

For the benefit of others, post photos and ask before you buy.

sweet pistol OP. Will it be a shooter or safe queen?

[AC993]

I think since it being refinished seems to be a 50/50 split, I am going to have the gun worked over.... I already spoke to Bob over at nighthawk custom and I'm going to have them do some work to it, refinish it, etc.

[ar15barrels]

I think since it being refinished seems to be a 50/50 split

It's definitely been refinished.
I have never seen ANY original colt that was shiny like yours or with the edges softened like yours.
Both are sure signs of being refinished.

Anyone who says your gun is original probably also has a refinished gun and simply doesnt know any better.
I have an original GCNM slide and it's not polished and has all it's sharp edges and typical colt bluing that's glass bead blasted on the curves and flats are slightly shiny but not polished.

[Cheep]

Refinished, just look at the serial number and other embossing, edges of these are not sharp. Compare to others to see the difference if you aren't sure.

[Garbcollector]

It looks clean..

[Garbcollector]

It looks clean..

[GOEX FFF]

Refinished, just look at the serial number and other embossing, edges of these are not sharp. Compare to others to see the difference if you aren't sure.

^^ Exactly the first thing I noticed, too.

[AC993]

Yup, going off to Nighthawk Custom, Here's the email to Bob Reeves; Refinished or not, it'll be worth more than any other original GCNM... Best way to go I think.

Hello Bob, just sending a followup email to our phone conversation regarding the 1964 Colt 1911 I would like to send in. I've compiled a list below going over everything I would like done to the gun, could you please send me an invoice highlighting everything, and I will ship the gun out Tuesday of next week.


1 - Full refinish of gun and external parts, mirror polish flats / rest of gun can be left matte
2 - Trigger / barrel should be polished but left original steel colored
3 - Checker front strap / back strap to match each other 20 LPI
4 - French border slide
5 - Go over all internal parts and springs, replace as needed
6 - Refit new fire blued barrel bushing
7 - Fire blued grip screws
8 - Cut dovetail for front sight, replace with gold bead sight
9 - Refinish or replace rear sight
10 - Engrave both sides of the dust cover with "Nighthawk Custom" in cursive (pictured below)
11 - What are the chances I can get a set of Mammoth grips?

[acaligunner]

^
Just throwing this out there ~

Ahh have you thought of just buying a Nighthawk 1911 from the start ? Or was the Colt always your 1st pick ?

[AC993]

I have 3 Nighthawks already, in my opinion - they are the best 1911 company, they have the best attention to detail, the quality fit and finish far surpasses any of my Staccatos, or even Atlas's.

This will just be a custom Colt 1911 by them, plus it will match another project I have with them currently, a 1987 Hi power.