U 812 Pre-War Colt .22-.45 Service Model Conversion Unit 22 LR 1911A1 w/Box
SOLD FOR: $1649.50
LSB#: 210506MM07
Make: Colt
Model: .22-.45 Service Model Conversion Unit
Serial Number: U 812
Year of Manufacture: 1939-1940
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “SERVICE / MODEL”, “ACE” in diamond, “CONVERSION UNIT .22-.45”, “.22” and “LONG / RIFLE”. The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PATENT NUMBERS 2,090,656 2,090,657″, and with the Rampant Colt logo. The left of the barrel and chamber are each hand-scribed “U / 812” and the top of the slide is marked “U 812”. The magazine floorplate is marked “COLT”, “22”, “ACE” in diamond, “L.R.” and “SERVICE MODEL”.
Barrel Length: 4.9” including the floating chamber.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a Stevens flat topp, square notch sight adjustable for windage and elevation in a base dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This conversion unit retains approximately 90% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered minor nicks, scratches and scuffs. The unit shows operational wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this conversion unit is in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This conversion kit comes with a one-piece, hinged-lid Colt .22-.45 Service Model Conversion Unit box, Colt branded hang-tag with instructions for the Stevens sight, manual, and one 10-round magazine. The kit includes the slide, barrel and chamber, extractor, bushing, guide rod, recoil spring, plunger and slide stop. The magazine has light operational wear, some light wear on the floorplate, intact feed lips and a strong spring in about Very Good-plus condition. The box has light-moderate storage wear with fraying at edges and corners, in about Good-Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This conversion unit offers the Colt 1911/1911A1 owner an inexpensive way of practicing with their pistol utilizing the same feel and manual of arms as they would use with their .45ACP or .38 Super ammo. This unit has even been designed with a floating chamber that provides 4X more recoil than other .22 L.R. automatics, making it seem even more like your normal loads. If you shoot your 1911 a lot, we think one of these is a necessity, and it should quickly pay for itself. Even if you don’t plan on shooting it, these kits are quickly becoming collectible. Even better, this is a scarce pre-war .22-.45 Service Model Conversion Unit, with only 1,758 assembled before January 1943 when production was halted for wartime production. With matching serial markings on the slide, barrel and floating chamber, this is probably the most desirable of all the Colt Conversion Units. The kit is complete, including a Colt box, slide, barrel, chamber, spring, bushing, guide rod, slide stop and ejector as well as a single magazine. It is in Very Good-Fine condition with about 90% of its finish remaining and a great bore. Please see our photos and good luck!