1911A1 RS Help needed

[DDJR]

Hello, Im new to the forum. Just picked up an RS 1911A1 matching blued SN731xxx. I think the barrel is incorrect, its marked S on the right side of lug and H P on top of the chamber. I think it might be Springfield? I would like to purchase a proper barrel for it. Also I need a set of early plastic grips for it, the ones that came on it are a set ot minty 1911 WWI grips.

[John]

OK, I give up. What is an RS 1911 ???

[DDJR]

Hello, Its a 1911A1 made before they were parkerized, mine was made in 1941, page 279 Clawson book
Dante

[Axel]

Did you buy it from a dealer in Maine? If so, it looks like a nice one.

Try eBay for the barrel and grips. A Colt 45 auto barrel with the small G on the bottom in front of the lug will not be cheap (figure up to $400) but it will be worth finding for that gun. The early hollow back grips will not be cheap.

Congrats on your purchase. Post pictures if you can. I did receive some pictures from that dealer but they were not bright and clear, and I am curious to see what I missed.

[DDJR]

Yes I did buy it from a dealer here in Maine, I tried to post pics but could not, send me an email sturm@gwi.net and I will send you pics. I located a correct barrel and grips. The grips that came on it are minty 1911s. Small world.
Dante

[John]

Sure you can post pics, you just need to read the FAQ section of our site.

One more thing, what RS stands for?

[Axel]

RS is an army inspector stamp (Colonel Robert Sears) who inspected 1911a1's during the first half of 1941.

[mark1]

The s/n you reference 231xxx dates the pistol in 1918. If you are refering to Clawson book on page 279 your s/n should be 731xxx. ??

[DDJR]

Hello John, RS is the inspectors mark(Col. Robert Sears) stamped twice on the frame. RS stamp appears on the left side of frame and right side top frame when disassembled. I will try to post pics later.
Dante

[DDJR]

Mark1 your correct, I edited my post 731xxx
Thanks, Dante

[John]

RS is the inspectors mark(Col. Robert Sears) stamped twice on the frame.

Thank you Sir, appreciated.

[Sleuth]

Wow, I joined just to ask about a 1911 with RS (or AS) in a cartouche just behind the trigger on the left side, and here is the answer! This is on a 1911A1 in the 740XXX range - would Sears have inspected it?? I'll strip it to look for the other initials.

Thanks

[exitwounds]

Wow, I joined just to ask about a 1911 with RS (or AS) in a cartouche just behind the trigger on the left side, and here is the answer! This is on a 1911A1 in the 740XXX range - would Sears have inspected it?? I'll strip it to look for the other initials.

Thanks

It should be R.S. and his initials were found on Colt pistols from sn 723000 - about 750500 (1941). Col. Robert Sears was the army inspector of Ordnance for the Hartford Ordnance District and his initials are applied to the frames of Colt's mentioned above under his supervision.

[bgiven]

PM sent.....

[bgiven]

A Colt 45 auto barrel with the small G on the bottom in front of the lug will not be cheap (figure up to $400) but it will be worth finding for that gun. The early hollow back grips will not be cheap.


I believe there are a set of correct early hollowback grips posted in the 'For Sale' section for $225.-

[DDJR]

Thanks I will check it out
Dante