Cirle-S 1918 Colt

[mbwarner]

Picked this up recently. What can the experts out there tell me about it? SN is 534XXX, late 1918 date.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/mbwarner/new1911cirleS002.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q234/mbwarner/new1911cirleS001.jpg

[OD*]

That is the trademark of R.F. Sedgley Inc. of Philadelphia.
R.F. Sedgley was one of the most prolific American gunmakers, particularly between the two World Wars. His company was very famous for it's Springfield and Mauser sporting rifles. A number of revolvers conceived and owned by Elmer Keith, were Sedgley's. But, why their mark is found on 1911s, is apparently still a mystery.

[exitwounds]

The marking on 1911 pistols has been controversial, some folks thing Sedgley simply marked pistols that were picked up as surplus and marked them in the same fashion importer's do, others feel that the pistols may have had refurbishments or repairs done by Sedgley and marked to indicate that, yet others feel that the pistols that were S marked were pistols that were retrofitted with Sedgley's .22 cal rimfire conversion barrel, and some even feel that they are simply pistols he built from parts. No one seems to know for sure, and my remain a mystery. Sedgley is also known for cobbling together alot of '03s also. Those pistols seem to have have little collector interest other than as a source of parts, or for a fanatical collector who seeks novelties or unordinary variations of the M1911.