45 Auto Barrel

[ACMERAVEN]

I am seeking information and clarification on barrels manufactured by colt during wwll on colt production lines that were stamped with identifying numbers used by sub contractors. ie.- HS. Read a little about this and am mystified as to exactly why this was done. Sounded interesting and hope somebody can clarify this for me. thanks.

[Johnny Peppers]

Could you clarify your post somewhat. What identifying numbers in particular are you referring to?
Colt produced their own barrels, and the few barrels furnished to other contractors had the same markings as the ones used in Colt 1911A1 production.
The two basic barrels produced by Colt in WWII was the COLT .45 AUTO, marked on the left side of the chamber right above the lug, and the C in a square marked on the right side of the lug.

[exitwounds]

The sub contract barrels, such as the HS (High Standard) stamped one you mentioned, were not made by Colt but rather by the sub contractor at their own facilities.

[ACMERAVEN]

I may have picked up some misinformation. I gleaned this nugget in a conversation with an avid collector that for some reason colt had produced barrels and stamped HC on them and possibly produced barrels and stamped other sub-contractor's ID letters on them. Knowing the red tape and convoluted logic you run into in dealing with the government i thought it might have had to do with meeting deadlines or something. He told me that an old colt retiree had mentioned this to him in passing and i found it to be sort of interesting.

[exitwounds]

You can view examples of various Colt and contractor barrels at :www.coolgunsite.com under 1911 ID Pages, and Barrels. Various letters such as G, S, N, F, D, B, and 7 were found on the bottom of the Colt barrels forward the lugs at different serial ranges beginning about sn 712350 through the end of WW II production. If you have Clawson's small book review pages 132 - 133.