Colt slide: military or commercial?

[digi-shots]

I came across a "Colt slide" for sale today ($199) and just wondered exactly which Colt it was made for and is this a decent price?

Included in this price was the slide, barrel & barrel lug, barrel bushing, firing pin & spring, firing pin stop & extractor, front & rear sights.

The slide and barrel looked new and appeared unfired. The only markings on the barrel was .45 auto (no P, G, S, etc.) most likely a generic replacement barrel? The barrel was completely blued.

I don't have any photos but here's a brief description:

Left side of Slide: Colt address with "pony" in the middle. The pony looks just like the one in Clawson's small book on page 98, fig. 69, "Oct. 1944 variation". The pony had a "rounded fat looking belly".

Right side of Slide: No markings at all.

No P proof marks, no G commercial marks on the slide.

The slide was parkerized and had a heat treated marking around the front
2" or so of the muzzle.

I removed the firing pin stop and found the letter X at the 6 o'clock position.

Your comments will be appreciated!

Thanks!

[exitwounds]

The slide sounds like the USGI variation. I once observed an X serial numbered pistol with an X stamped under the firing pin stop plate, but it was not a Colt slide. Is the barrel marked: COLT .45 AUTO on the top of the chamber hood in this configuration? If so it could be a Colt Commercial barrel found from '49 to the end of the C suffix range and beyond. That was the only marking on those barrels. The slide complete with all the parts is certainly worth the $199 being asked if it is in decent shape.

[Doran]

There was no P ahead of the rear sight?

[digi-shots]

I went back today to take a second look....

Yes... there is a P just in front of the rear sight. I think I looked right past it the first time I looked. I usually take a piece of paper with me and jot down all the markings.

The finish on the slide looks very good... one or two faint scratches.

Also, the barrel looks like a generic commercial one.... dull matte finish all over except for the area that shows through the ejection port, where it is "bright & unfinished". You can see .45 AUTO showing through the ejection port when the barrel is in place. No mention of the name "COLT" anywhere on it.

[exitwounds]

The slide is USGI, the barrel aftermarket. Still the price is about the going rate for a complete upper.