1. Norinco 1911 Serial Number Lookup Lookup
2. Norinco 1911 Serial Number Lookup Chart

Hi,

Norinco 1911 Serial Number Lookup Lookup

I recently made an impulse buy of a 'priced to move' Norinco Model of the 1911A1 45 auto at a local gun shop with a couple of knockoff Colt mags thrown in with a knock off Seville mag.
Regardless, the pistol itself is in good working order and 100% original (crappy grips and all), it appears to have been only lightly, if ever, used. Serial number is in the 507xxx range, marked CSI Ontario, CA import.

Seller's Description: LSB#: 121019TE03 Make: Norinco Model: Model 1911-A1 Serial Number: 504172 Year of Manufacture: 1991-1995 Caliber:.45 ACP Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “Model of The 1911A1”, “45 Automatic”, and with the Norinco logo. The left side of the frame is marked “Made In China By Norinco. Norinco 1911 Serial Number Lookup 5/14/2018 admin The most difficult SKS rifle to source the manufacturing date of would be those distributed by Chinese factories, also known as Norinco SKS. Majority of the SKS was during the 50’s and 60’s. Serial numbers that begin with a “C” were.45 ACP and serial numbers that begin with a “W” were.455 Webley calibers. 4) Colt M1911 British RAF Contract: S/N W91,100 to W110,696 = Jan. 22, 1918 to April 28, 1919 (Approx. 10,000 pistols were shipped to the Royal Air Force from this serial number range and were.455 Webley caliber.). Serial numbers began with 88 and later. The earlier serial numbers have no space while the later ones have a space between the first two and the last 5 digits. Eg: 8812345= 1988, 02 12345= 2002 b. Serial number in the millions plus the year of adoption (1956) equal the year of production.

Markings: The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number. The left side of the dust cover is marked “MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO, C.S.I. The left side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF THE 1911A1 NORINCO 45 AUTOMATIC”, the word “NORINCO” is within the Norinco logo. Barrel Length: 5”.

Norinco 1911 Serial Number Lookup Chart

I intended for this to be a beater, no frills 1911a1 though I'm thinking of sending it off for a quick buff & polish job on the internals including the trigger (less than $100 according to Frontiersman) to improve reliability long term. I did swap on a pair of Hogue grip panels since the greasy brown plastic jobs that come stock are worse than I expected even in a Norinco but that's as far as I intend to go with exterior modifications unless hammer bite is a problem in which case it is getting a beavertail grip safety & commander hammer.
Just curious if this pistol has any significant collectible value besides being my first Clinton 'pre-ban' firearm that should steer me away from beater duty or a future upgrade project? Before I spend anything on the pistol it's going to the farm to eat a few hundred Winny white box out of some Novak and Kimber magazines so I can inspect for hammer peening or anything else out of sorts, of course. I'd hate to be 'that guy' that destroyed even a bit of twisted firearm history out of complete ignorance. My Google search of Norinco 1911a1's makes me think this is an ideal beater gun but just in case...
Also, any suggestions for local shops/individuals who do a good post-factory fitting/fluff on a 1911 in the $100 or less range (assuming nothing needs to be replaced, etc..)?
Thanks,
J