Colt .45 Kit gun

I posted the question on 1911 forum but thought I'd post it here as well. 

I recently bought an interesting gun, a Colt .45 kit with extended Bomar rib. I know that those kits were shipped to Gil Hebard (but mine wasn't because the S/N ends with B, not H) and AMU smiths (but AMU smiths wouldn't put an extended rib on it, would they?). The MSH has a stippling job which looks very much like Jim Clark, but there are no other Clark markings on this gun, and the front strap is smooth. So I'm wondering if anyone here has or seen something similar?

Also, how do I rotate and remove the bushing when I need to disassemble it for cleaning? None of my bushing wrenches fit between the bushing and that extended front sight. Do I have to remove the rib (I would much rather not)?

Clark makes a bushing wrench to fit the extended sight ribs or at least they used to.... don't believe that is Clark strippling... seems too big but maybe?


the wrench is sort of a shaped tube to fit the bushing with a handle

Get a cheap steel bushing wrench and grind it thin enough at the top to fit.

The B was 45 and the H was 38
Jon

+1 on Dr Jon's comment,  that is exactly what I did for my wad gun with a Bo-mar extended rib

I forgot to mention that the trigger (which looks like standard Colt short trigger) was also drilled and tapped for an overtravel screw, which is also what Clark used to do. I kinda want to think that he worked on this gun at least partially, but I can't find any of his markings anywhere on the gun.

I've seen OLD Clarks thay I guarantee were Sr guns that had no markings. Old timers who actually had the woek done by Jim.
It's possible.
Jon

jglenn21 wrote:Clark makes a bushing wrench to fit the extended sight ribs or at least they used to.... don't believe that is Clark strippling... seems too big but maybe?


the wrench is sort of a shaped tube to fit the bushing with a handle

So, what exactly do they look like? This thing has been taking up space in my parts drawer for a long time.

That's a spark plug wrench. Cheap type!

Olde Pilot wrote:That's a spark plug wrench. Cheap type!

Nope, its a bushing wrench. Cheap type.

Not convinced!

Olde Pilot wrote:Not convinced!

If you look at the end it's shaped like a bushing not a spark plug.

- Dave

Olde Pilot wrote:Not convinced!

Oh yea of little faith. Or however that old saw goes. Better picture?

OK. You're right. But it's rear end ugly.

OldMaster66 wrote:

jglenn21 wrote:Clark makes a bushing wrench to fit the extended sight ribs or at least they used to.... don't believe that is Clark strippling... seems too big but maybe?


the wrench is sort of a shaped tube to fit the bushing with a handle

So, what exactly do they look like? This thing has been taking up space in my parts drawer for a long time.

Well, sir, if it takes too much of your valuable space, I will be more than happy to take it from you  Just let me know how much you want for it.

Len's got it .. that's an old clark wrench.. I have a couple because all my old wad guns had the extended sight. All of mine are from the early 80s

Javaduke, These things are really rare and old so it would be very hard to set a price on it. How about 6 bucks and that includes shipping. I think flat rate mailers are 5.95 so I think I am getting a nickel for it. Sound fair?

OldMaster66 wrote:Javaduke, These things are really rare and old so it would be very hard to set a price on it. How about 6 bucks and that includes shipping. I think flat rate mailers are 5.95 so I think I am getting a nickel for it. Sound fair?

Not fair at all, how about $20 + shipping?

Is bidding over??? Lol

I don't think that's a Clark. No tigertooth stippling on front strap. Also stippling on mainspring housing looks like a copy.
Jon

Yea Jim the bidding is over. Javaduke put up a hard fight but I was able to talk him down a little.

len

Jon Eulette wrote:I don't think that's a Clark. No tigertooth stippling on front strap. Also stippling on mainspring housing looks like a copy.
Jon

Clark or not, it's a nice gun  I polished the sear a little bit on my TR jig, got a nice 3.5# short roll, so it's a keeper and shooter    Thanks, everyone!

Greetings,

Yours is the second 45 KIT slide I have seen. From the Gil Hebard catalog, only 1000 units were produced. You got a slide, barrel, and bushing. All oversize needing hand fitting.

Soon after, the USAMU had Colt machine 45 slides, drawing 7791435, which I believe is still current. They appear identical to the 45 KIT version.

The slides were marked on the slide stop side as NM7791435. Drake made the slide around 1965. Later, the military took bids for additional slides. I have several made by various vendors. Oh yes, the vendor ID is on the ejection port side. Often a line of letters and numbers. This is the CAGE number that you can look up on line. It is the vendor ID number.

The nicest ones I have seen are the IMI, Israeli Metal Industries, offerings. I have a brand new slide, barrel, and bushing made by IMI. Excellent workmanship.

Sorry to digress, compliments on the purchase of the 45 KIT gun.

Cheers,

Dave