COLT 1911 CONVERSION UNIT , CAL. .22 lr
COLT semi-automatic pistol, Conversion Unit model - Floating Chamber, Series '70, made in 1975.
Price
1.600 €
Reserved
Firearms, ammunition and other regulated products may only be purchased by persons holding the authorisations, permits and documents required by the legislation in force.
- Manufacturer
- COLT, USA
- SKU
- CT -CU-001
Description
BRIEF HISTORY Colt 1911 Conversion Unit .22 LR – Floating Chamber
The Colt 1911 Conversion Unit pistol, calibre .22 Long Rifle, is a particularly interesting variant of the famous Colt Government Model 1911, intended for training and sport shooting with small-calibre ammunition. The conversion system was developed by Colt in collaboration with the renowned American gunsmith and designer David Marshall “Carbine” Williams and introduced commercially in 1938. Its distinctive technical feature is the Floating Chamber system, patented by Williams. It uses a movable chamber that amplifies the impulse delivered to the recoil mechanism, more faithfully reproducing the feel of firing a Colt 1911 in .45 ACP. The conversion allows the Colt 1911 platform to be used with .22 LR ammunition, reducing training costs while retaining the ergonomics of the original pistol. The amplified recoil serves to drive back the steel slide (and therefore a heavier one), rather than an aluminium one as on the COLT ACE, later produced in the same calibre. The system became popular with sport shooters and with collectors of historic Colt firearms alike.
Features of the example photographed
The photograph shows:
- Colt Conversion Unit slide, with the markings specific to the .22 LR calibre and the Colt logo.
- Adjustable sights, intended for precision shooting.
- Colt Government Model 1911-type frame, with a blued finish.
- Black chequered grips and a sport trigger.
- Patina and light signs of use, consistent with an old example.
Important note: the collector value depends largely on the originality of the Colt conversion unit and on the correct identification of the frame on which it is fitted. An assembly made up of original Colt components (such as the example shown) may have a different value from a conversion fitted to a frame later produced by another manufacturer.
Market valuation – European market
Indicative value for the complete pistol in the photograph: 1,000–1,800 €
Estimate for an original Colt assembly in good mechanical condition, without original box or accessories.
Good, visible signs of use 800–1,000 €
Very good, original Colt components 1,000–1,400 €
Excellent, original finish 1,400–1,800 €
Exceptional, with accessories and documents 1,800–2,200 €
