| FAKE Colt .45 -.22 Conversion Unit
Serial Number U24 - This unit
is a known fake of the .45-.22 Conversion Unit. The purpose of
disclosing this information is to make sure that any collector who is
considering the purchase of one of these units, will not be deceived if they
encounter this one in particular. For comparison purposes, I have inserted
photos of an original unit to help highlight some of the fake's obvious
flaws.
 FAKE - Above is the right side slide legend
from fake conversion unit U24. Markings appear to have been applied
with a pantograph. Notice the missing hyphen between ".45" and ".22"
 ORIGINAL - For comparison, pictured above is
the right side slide legend from original unit U104
 FAKE - Barrel with "45 COLT" marking visible
through the ejection port is incorrect for these units.
 FAKE - Notice the reblued rear sight, the
differences in the sight alignment lines to the left of the "U" and the
obvious variations in the fonts.
 ORIGINAL - Close-up photo of serial
number and early style Steven's sight of U104.
 FAKE - Perhaps the most obvious characteristic
of fake unit U24 is the presence of the serial number 162473 under the
firing pin retainer. Original units are unnumbered on the slide under
the firing pin retainer.
 FAKE - Pictured above is the
barrel that accompanies fake U24. The "MB" in a circle is pantographed
and is perfectly symmetrical. Barrel lacks the "MATCH" over "COLT 45 AUTO".
This barrel may have started as an original Colt barrel, but the addition of
the "MB" in circle, makes it a fake match barrel.
 ORIGINAL - A close-up of the original match
barrel that came with unit U104. In addition to the roll markings, notice
the "MB" in a circle on the lug. (Pay particular attention to how it's
stamped when comparing |
