Markings on 1911 slide?

[revorg]

I have the opportunity to buy an old Colt USGI pistol. The serial number puts it's manufacture at 1918... The downside is it was parkerized for WW2, and that finish is very splotchy... (is that a word?) I believe this would have originally been what is called a black army? Anyway, for the real question: It has a Colt slide, but the "rampant stallion" is in the middle of the script on the left side, not behind the grasping grooves as on other WW1 Colts I have seen... Is this a 1911A1 slide? BTW, the price will be about 600$...

I would post pic's, but it is not in my posession.

revorg

[Johnny Peppers]

At least a partial serial number would be helpful as there were over 300,000 Model 1911's manufactured in 1918.
What are the markings on the right side of the slide?

[Tom]

Seems like there are a lot of 1918-made 1911's out on the market. Am I right, or is it just my very amateurish imagination?

[revorg]

Hmmm. I was hoping for an easy answer...
I will try to "borrow" it this weekend and post more precise information.
I would now hazard a guess that some Colts of this vintage had the "horsey" in the middle...?

revorg

[Johnny Peppers]

You are exactly right, and the only way to know whether the slide is correct or not is to know the serial number of the pistol and the right side slide marking. On the other hand, since it has been refinished, it is not as important as if the pistol was still original finish.

[bgiven]

In approx. May 1918 the Rampant Colt was moved from the rear of the serrations, to the middle of the patent dates, and the Colt adress lines. The serial number range was 275,000 - 290,000 to the end of WWI production at about 630,000 or 1919.

Additionally, as Johnny has mentioned, there are at least 2 variations of slide production within this serial number production range with the differences being the size of the RH slide markings.

[revorg]

OK, doesn't look like I'm going to make it over to "borrow" it this weekend. However I do have some more information: Serial # 488XXX and the right side of the slide is marked: Model of 1911.U.S. Army

[bgiven]

That serial number will have the Colt in the 'middle' ..... and the RH slide markings should be 7/64" in height.

[revorg]

Well, it seems it has the correct slide. Everything else looks kosher. The slide markings are still nice and strong but the serial number and the US Government Property got blasted a bit to long. Of course, it has WW2 plastic grips... For me, it's the mottled color of the parkerizing thats a real bummer. Getting the frame markings restruck and having it refinished may be unholy...
Also, I'm pretty much out of the loop, is 600$ a fair price for this old war horse?

revorg

[bgiven]

Without pics its tough to say..... unless you think $600 is a good price for a shooter. Personally I would lean towards backing off..... For a few dollars more, and some looking you could have something probably a whole lot better IMHO.

[revorg]

Thats pretty much what I was thinking. I'm not a perfectionist, but this one isn't quite up to my standards. Johny Peppers, bgiven, thanks for your help.

revorg