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Old November 2, 2000, 05:39 PM   #6
James K
Member In Memoriam
 
Join Date: March 17, 1999
Posts: 24,383
The serial number would indicate manufacture by Colt in 1945. The "RIA" is Rock Island Arsenal, and indicates that the gun was rebuilt (and possibly refinished) at that facility at some timein the post WWII period. The frame and slide came from the same maker (Colt) but may not have originally been together. Other parts may not be original or even of Colt manufacture.

It sounds like you have a good shooter at a very good price, but it is unlikely to have much collector value. Still, it is a pistol that is "GI" and has historical value.

I can also tell you that you have a pistol that is better made than any of the "cast clones" available today.

Happy shooting.

Jim

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