Colt 1911A1 Markings Question

[salbennelli]

Great site! I'm looking for help with some markings on a Colt 45 I recently inherited. I've searched high & low online but can't seem to find much. Serial number is 165xxxx, seemingly made in 1944. From what I have seen, the BNP stamp appears to be a British proof. Would the crossed swords be a Colt stamp or something else? Also, what about the stamp behind the grip under the slide?
Thanks for any assistance.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u60/salbennelli/45_1.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u60/salbennelli/45_6.jpg

[edmorales]

is that a crossed cannon springfield logo?
ed

[OD*]

The BNP represents Birmingham Proof House, the 'crossed sceptre' denotes it being proofed in 1959. The crossed cannons mark was the Ordnance Departments final inspection stamp used on all Colt pistols after approximately serial #83000.

[exitwounds]

The "crossed cannons" final inspection mark was adopted in 1942 by the Ord. Dept. it is found in that location on all Ithaca, and Remington Rands,as well as Colts after about serial number 830000 (OD is missing a "0" above). Is the barrel chamber hood marked as well? In the "crossed sceptre" the letter "B" signifies Birmingham, the number identifies the viewer. It has been noted by collectors that occasionally the B is reversed (on the left), the other letter indicates the year (A-Z = 1950 to 1974). The BNP stands for Birmingham Nitro Proof. The markings are British Commercial Proof Marks.
Ed,the Springfield logo of today is very similar to the Ord. Dept. "crossed cannons" stamp, but actually has different style cannon(s), lacks the belt wrap at the 6 o'clock position of the loop and has their name "SPRINGFIELD ARMORY SINCE 1794" whereas the Ord. Dept. has their name in the loop "ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT U.S.A.". In later years the Ordnance Dept logo changed, and read "ORDNANCE CORPS U.S.A." in the loop instead.

[OD*]

(OD is missing a "0" above)
Indeed I am. :o

[Scott Gahimer]

sal: I have a pair of consecutive numbered Brit proved pistols in the 1654xxx range I'd be interested in hearing from you to compare notes and serial numbers.
You can e-mail me through the site if you don't want to share your numbers on the board.

[TattooPaul]

Great site! I'm looking for help with some markings on a Colt 45 I recently inherited. I've searched high & low online but can't seem to find much. Serial number is 165xxxx, seemingly made in 1944. From what I have seen, the BNP stamp appears to be a British proof. Would the crossed swords be a Colt stamp or something else? Also, what about the stamp behind the grip under the slide?
Thanks for any assistance.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u60/salbennelli/45_1.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u60/salbennelli/45_6.jpg

Here is a link where you can get the third edition (small one) of Charles Clawsons "Collectors Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols" at a still reasonable price. Unfortunately he is out of the Commercial Series book but the Service Editiion has a wealth of info that you'll find very helpful in ID'ing proof marks, components, etc. He also has a way cool photo CD that I'd recommend getting as well. Great reading and it really helps expand your collectors knowledge: http://www.coolgunsite.com/ccorderform.htm For $57 you get the small book and the CD (the big book fetches $600 - $900!!!). This is a great, inexpensive resource that will answer many questions for you and be just fun reading and viewing as well.