Struggling to ID No. 9289XX markings

[Insane_Primate]

Hi All,

Joined a few days ago when I bought my first Colt :) . A mate of mine (Colt Commander owner) started chatting to somebody in a knife shop and long story short, this gentleman had a Colt he wanted to get rid of and the price was so good he took it without question on my behalf. All I've got are some dodgy pictures and his description to go on, but it's proved to be more difficult than I thought to ID the markings, even with the great web sites out there to help.

So far I've managed to postively ID the following :

- The Colt "Verfied Proof" mark
- Brig Gen. Guy .H. Drewry's GHD mark
- The Ordnance department canon's
- The "P" proof mark
- "W" on the trigger gaurd
- The trigger gaurd has "23" on it- no clue what that is.

From there it gets a little fuzy. I know the picture is lousy, but perhaps somebody can give a me a clue as to what these other marks are.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b22/Smee2/Colt/DSC02106.jpg

Thanks in advance !!

[OD*]

Birmingham Proof House stamps.

The Birmingham proof and nitro proof marks were combined in 1955 (I think) into the single Birmingham Nitro Proof. What is the number below the crossed sceptres?

[Johnny Peppers]

Oh man, are you in for it. That is a military posted in the commercial forum.
Other than that, does the barrel and slide also have the British proofs? If the slide is original, it will have the serial number of the frame stamped under the firing pin stop plate.

[OD*]

I missed that Johnny. ;)

[Insane_Primate]

Oh man, are you in for it. That is a military posted in the commercial forum.

:scared: Sorry.

Other than that, does the barrel and slide also have the British proofs? If the slide is original, it will have the serial number of the frame stamped under the firing pin stop plate.


Will get my mate to check under the stop plate for a serial number,but the slide has no markings other than patent details (up to 1913) then the pony, then Hartford,CT. U.S.A. I've got a lousy photo of that somewhere too.

EDIT -

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b22/Smee2/Colt/DSC02102.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b22/Smee2/Colt/DSC02101.jpg

There's nothing on the other side.

Thanks for the help!

[Insane_Primate]

Birmingham Proof House stamps.

The Birmingham proof and nitro proof marks were combined in 1955 (I think) into the single Birmingham Nitro Proof. What is the number below the crossed sceptres?

Looks like a 2.

I can't wait to get my hands on it myself to check all this lot out :(

[exitwounds]

The frame appears to have been heavily buffed and reblued, whereas the slide appears to be the original finish. It is likely a parts pistol from the photo, especially if it lacks the markings JP mentioned.

[digi-shots]

Correct me if I wrong, but I think the slide is a COLT March 1945 variation (see Clawson's small book, page 99). Note the "dash" between the dates on the slide (vs. the comma that is seen on earlier slides). Also the "serif" style NUMBERS that you usually don't see on the 1911A1's.

Recently I saw another Colt 1911A1 slide with same "dash" markings &
serif-style numbers that was heavily engraved (pistol had Birmingham proofed barrel). It was first thought that the lettering had been redone because of the "dash"... but since then, I've seen a few more.

[digi-shots]

oh, one more thing...

Colt serial number in the 900k range puts it at 1943.

[txrounder]

I also just joined up and have a very similar Colt. #9330xx. It is all matching ser's and a 95+ original finish. It has the British proofs and I am trying to clarify what the characters around the crossed sceptres indicate. I was told that they identify where in the British military it went(?) I guess that this would be a lend-lease piece, so does that mean that a Colt history would be a waste of money?
took some pics last night but they are too dark to post, I will try again to get good pics.

[exitwounds]

All pistols channeled through British hands will bare these marks, not just lend lease pistols.
If there is a letter "B" on the right center it signifies Birmingham and was used through 1974. The letter to the left center represents the year of proof (1950 - 1974 depending upon the letter). The number at the bottom identifies the inspector.

[txrounder]

thanx for the info.
stupid question- how would a piece go through British hands other than lend-lease?
do you think the Colt History would be worth the $100 investment?
any opinions on value of this piece, I have gotten wildly different opinions thus far.It was a bequest, so I have'nt even got starting point of a purchase price.I was given only a moment to "pick one" by estate executor from a desktop full of 45's.(couple of Argentines, a Russian, an early (WW1)Colt pretty sad,a Combat commander,a commercial 1911, and a new Glock. Hope I made the best choice with this beatiful piece.

[exitwounds]

The Gun Barrel Proof act of England specified that all commercial firearms could not be offered for sale, exchanged, or exported until they met the British Rules of Proof. military weapons were exempt until they were released by the British Gov't. Laws were put into place in 1904, 1925, and 1954 (implemented in '55). Many could be of lend lease origin, most will bare a release date on the frame (eg. RELEASED BRITISH GOVT 1952). I don't believe a Colt Letter will tell you anything since these weapons were pulled from military stock, some were also issued to allies in the field. British lend lease pistols were declared obsolete in 1952 and were subject to British Proof Law Requirements before they could be sold or exported, these pistols were commercially proved under the 1925 rules. The BNP was later (1955). The price would be based on condition, originality, and desire. Some dislike these pistols and others don't. Their prices seem to vary and could range from $800 - $1500, possibly more depending upon the region.

[txrounder]

very helpful,thanks again.
there is no marking regarding British Govt(release or otherwise) It is marked "United States property" and "M1911A1 U.S. Army" but still bears the British proofs - BNP crown and Crossed sceptres (I,S,B) on barrel, frame and slide.

[exitwounds]

very helpful,thanks again.
there is no marking regarding British Govt(release or otherwise) It is marked "United States property" and "M1911A1 U.S. Army" but still bears the British proofs - BNP crown and Crossed sceptres (I,S,B) on barrel, frame and slide.

I'm guessing that the I is a 1 and is at the bottom (Identifies the Inspector and should be a number)
S at the left would be 1967, B is Birmingham.
The "crossed sceptre" is known as "Private View Mark"

BTW, in addition to the "Released British Govt (year)" the Lend Lease weapons would also be stamped "NOT ENGLISH MAKE" on the frame and/or slide. ;)

[Doran]

Can you give more detail about the Russian?