U-98 45-22 Conversion Unit 45 Caliber

[R DiFlorio]

Colt Prewar Conversion Unit 45-22 1940 this is one of only 112 units
that colt produced to convert the .22 Caliber Service Model Ace to a 45 caliber
complete with its match barrel, full blue prewar 45 magazine
original factory condition shipped July 30 1940

[Piexcel]

Definitely do not see many of these nowadays.

[R DiFlorio]

The 45-22 units are really hard to find these days

[Piexcel]

I find the Colt naming convention for these kits interesting. If the kit is converting a 22 to 45, shouldn't the name be "22-45" and not "45-22?" Likewise for the pre-war kits to convert 45 to 22.

[R DiFlorio]

I know what your saying but 45 -22 is just like it reads your putting a 45 caliber on a 22 service model ace

[Piexcel]

I found a very early post-war commercial conversion kit. It was the first post-war model that still used the milled ejector. The slide was also the WWII muzzle-hardened one because the different shades of color could be seen through the polish. The kit came complete with box and all correct parts. I got into a bidding war with another guy but gave up after the price hit $1300. I figured that was too much for 'half of a pistol.' Apparently whoever I was bidding against had much more funds than me and knew what this kit was. It would be funny to see that very same kit posted on this forum!

[R DiFlorio]

I found a very early post-war commercial conversion kit. It was the first post-war model that still used the milled ejector. The slide was also the WWII muzzle-hardened one because the different shades of color could be seen through the polish. The kit came complete with box and all correct parts. I got into a bidding war with another guy but gave up after the price hit $1300. I figured that was too much for 'half of a pistol.' Apparently whoever I was bidding against had much more funds than me and knew what this kit was. It would be funny to see that very same kit posted on this forum!

Was it one of the U marked PRE-POST war

[Piexcel]

Originally Posted by R DiFlorio

Was it one of the U marked PRE-POST war[?]

It was a kit made immediately after Colt stopped numbering their 22-45 conversion kits. The slide had the improved Stevens sight. Let me see if I can find the pics from the seller. I'll post them. I must add the kit for sale lacked papers and hang tag. The seller was a very nice lady who acquired the kit from her father, but she had no idea what she was selling.

[Piexcel]

Here are a few pics of that early post-war, non-serial numbered conversion kit.

[R DiFlorio]

Thats the 1st type after the 405 pre/post war thats early with a prewar box
& two-tone mag mine has the box with 7 parts listed in the lid and the hardening discolor
shine at the front same way there was no sight tag
the directions were printed inside the instruction sheet

[Piexcel]

What is one of these units worth today?

[R DiFlorio]

the prewar box $200-300 same for the mag so $500.00 plus
the unit looked pretty mint $600 but $900.00 would be it for me

[Piexcel]

I remembered that $1000 was my limit on bidding for this kit. I actually went past that to about $1200 because the kit would be a great addition. But the other guy kept outbidding me every time. Whoever I was bidding against really wanted that kit! So I let him win.

[R DiFlorio]

[R DiFlorio]

Originally Posted by R DiFlorio