PIC of Colt, 1918 "Black Army"

[digi-shots]

Here's a couple of pics of a fairly new acquisition...

I wonder if I could get the help of some of the resident experts in derterming originality of finish? I don't see any pitting under the surface.... but there are a couple of pock marks... maybe it's in the original metal (?). The acceptance stamp is a little faint and I can't quite make out if there's any
unblued metal showing.

Here's 2 full shots to begin with. I'll post some close-ups in a little while.

Thanks!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/guncoltm1911c.jpg

[digi-shots]

Here are a couple of close-ups....

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-1.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-2.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-3.jpg

[digi-shots]

Here's a couple more close-ups of the slide roll mark & eagle acceptance stamp. There is an "idiot scratch" just above the acceptance stampe... that actually shows "silver" in color... for some reason this photo shows it as a dark scratch... but you can see thru the bluing on the actual pistol.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-4.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-5.jpg


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-6.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-7.jpg

[Johnny Peppers]

I see several things that don't appear right in the photographs. The pistol is not the right color for the "Black Army" finish, and again the metal prep in the photograph is too smooth. There is hardly any blue wear, but the front of the slide looks to be rounded slightly. On the right side of the frame the holes for the safety and hammer pin, and the area around the magazine release on both sides appear to be dished from buffing. These were kept very flat and sharp on the original finish. Attached is a photo of this area on an original finish pistol.

http://i6.tinypic.com/1z2zqs3.jpg

[RayP.]

Looking at the pics of the receiver/grip area,I do not see the pattern or transition line of the sanding that should be present just below the mag. catch area of the frame,look very closely at J.Pepper's pic of his pistol,the direction change of the sanding pattern is very evident on his pistol.

RayP.

[digi-shots]

The 3 rear pins do have a dish-look to them, a sign of polishing &/or refinishing... Let me see if I can find a close up of this area.

The polishing direction on the grip does not adhere to the "standard" way of polishing (horizontal above the mag release & vertical below it). I'm not trying to make something that it's not... but was this done in 100% of the mid-1918's ?

The serial number prefix is very strong and you can see where the punch (or rollmark?) pushed the metal aside. Would refinishing have removed this?
The colt pony logo is also fairly strong.

Here's a couple more pics:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-11.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/digi-shots/gunColtm1911c-12.jpg