Quarterbore,
A couple of observations from your pics... These are just observations based on 1911's I have owned in the past.
This appears to be an 80 series Colt (I do not beleive the 70 Series had these)and unless you removed them it appears to be missing the firing pin blocking safety (see hole in bottom of the slide) and it appears someone may have ground off the lever that pushs up on this (see right side of top of the frame). If you sqeeeze the trigger that little piece in the slot should move, it actually should be longer extending up into the area that is slotted and pushes up on the firing pin block when the trigger is pressed allowing the firing pin to move. There was much discussion when Colt decided to do this as to it being a fix to a nonexistant problem, but alas the lawyers won out and the rest is history.
This was (maybe still is) a common modification to get a lighter trigger pull since you are not fighting the firing pin block spring. The ear of the lever is ground off to keep it from going up in the hole and getting sheared off when the gun is fired.
This is typically not an issue unless the gun is carried (and used) or you have an accidental discharge that injures someone. Then it maybecome an issue since a safety was removed.
Parts to return it to the way it was (if you want to) should be easily attainable from Colt or maybe even brownells and should cost under $25. The firing pin block is pretty straight forward to install, the lever arrangement is bit trickier though and you might want to seek out a 1911 smith or somone in your area that is familar with them (expecially the national match or gold cups) to help you install and test it.
You got a really nice gun and a very fair price (even with the parts missing). I really debated saying anything as I didn't want to rain on your parade but didn't want you to find out the hard way either.
DonT
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