Colt M1911A1 Reissue

[The Wizard]

Hope this is the right forum for this question. But the M1911A1 (that is right M1911A1) reissue is not really a GI pistol so I guess it is a post war commerical. Anyway, pick one up the other day with serial number WMK1016 and was wonder where in the production run it falls. The serial number tells me it is part of the second batch but how many were in the first batch (WK prefix) and how many were made with the WMK prefix?

[JustinTime]

But the M1911A1 (that is right M1911A1) reissue is not really a GI pistol so I guess it is a post war commerical.

This enitre sentence is confusing. I'm not really sure what your talking about. I believe your talking about the WWII reproduction pistols Colt made. Is that right? If your pistol is a WWII reproduction it cannot be a post war commercial. If your pistol is not a WWII reprodcution and is not a USGI pistol marked property of the United States it is not a M1911A1. M1911A1 is the desgination for the government owned pistols with certain features. Pistols produced by colt post war have the exact same options but are simply "government models".

If your gun is a WWII reproduction you can call colt before 5pm eastern time and give them the serial # and they can provide you with the information you seek. (800)962-2658

[Hawkmoon]

If your pistol is not a WWII reprodcution and is not a USGI pistol marked property of the United States it is not a M1911A1. M1911A1 is the desgination for the government owned pistols with certain features. Pistols produced by colt post war have the exact same options but are simply "government models".
The original poster has it correct. The pistol he is asking about is a recent post-war commercial reproduction of the WW2 M1911A1.

That series started with #1000 (or 1001). I don't think they started the numbers over when they changed from WK to WMK, so I'd guess your pistol is very early in the sequence.

[JustinTime]

The original poster has it correct. The pistol he is asking about is a recent post-war commercial reproduction of the WW2 M1911A1.

That series started with #1000 (or 1001). I don't think they started the numbers over when they changed from WK to WMK, so I'd guess your pistol is very early in the sequence.

Right, I thought he was talking about the WWII reproduction which would obviously be considered an M1911A1. The commercial part is what was throwning me off. I wasn't aware a government model could be both an M1911 -or- M1911A1 and a commercial model. I thought it was one or the other. That is why I got confused.

[The Wizard]

My use of the term "commerical" refers to the fact that this pistol was intended to be sold to the public and not part of a government contract. It is marked M1911A1 and therefore maybe considered a "commerical" M1911A1. Colt, I believe, never used the term "commerical" to describe their Automatic Pistol Government Model (Model O) calber .45. But that is neither here nor there.

Hawkmoon, I would hazard to guess that Colt made more than 15 WK prefixed pistol before they changed to the WMK prefix. It is my understanding that they were planning a production run of 4,000 but demand did not live up to expectations and the product run was cut short. Just wondering how many of each prefix were made.

[Hawkmoon]

The WW2 was supposed to run 4000 and I believe I read recently that they actually produced and sold approximately 2800 in the series. But the numbers didn't begin with zero. The numbers begand with either 1000 or 1001. Call that 800 customer support number and ask. Cindy or Carol should be able to get you the info.

[OD*]

The serial number tells me it is part of the second batch but how many were in the first batch (WK prefix) and how many were made with the WMK prefix?
That's a good question and I would like to know too, the WKs had the 10mm cut-out frame rail and no United States Property rollmarking.

The WWIs started at 1001 the WWIIs started at 1.
The WWIs and WWIIs are not reissues, the original M1911s and M1911A1s were never issued to the civilian market and the reproductions are not issued to the military, they are reproductions or replicas. Justin is correct as far as the original M1911s and M1911A1s are concerned, they were military only and those for the civilian market were Government Model's (Commercials). Technically yes, the repros were/are made for the commercial market.

Again,

Just so we all understand.... a pistol produced for the commercial market by Colt is a Government Model, regardless of whether or not it has the 1924 improvements. These pistols will have a C prefix or suffix.

M1911 is a military model designation for military pistols shipped 1912 through 1919, and only refers to pistols produced under contract for the United States Government. Serial range is 1-629500.

M1911A1 is a military model pistol produced in either 1924, or 1937-1945. Serial range is 700001-2660318 and only refers to pistols produced under contract for the United States Government.

The military M1911 and M1911A1 pistols do NOT have a C prefix or suffix. They do have an No (o is underlined) or NO. serial number prefix before the serial number.

The military pistols produced in 1924 were originally designated the Improved Model of 1911. However, in 1926 the M1911A1 designation was approved and made retroactive to include all military pistols in the 700xxx serial range and after, which included the 1924 production military pistols.

Colt's specifically picked the name Government Model for their commercial series of pistols in order to boost interest and sales by promoting the idea that it was the same basic pistol that had been accepted by the military.
Scott Gahimer

[The Wizard]

I must agree with OD* that the "commerical" M1911A1 offered by Colt is technically not a reissue. I just have a hard time calling it a "reproduction" or a "replica". These terms so often have a negative connotation that I hesitate to use them in connection with this pistol. Maybe a better name for this pistol when refering to it would be "Colt commerically produced M1911A1" or "Colt M1911A1 produced for the commerical market". All I can say is I like the pistol.

[Andersun]

Colt's website calls them both "replica" and "faithful reproduction". I have two WWII reproduction M1911A1s. The serial numbers are as follows:
WK015XX
WMK17XX

I have inspected the exterior of both guns and their are differences:

On the right side on the frame just below the slide and a little in front of the grip:

WMK just has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" stamped just above the serial number.
WK0 just has "COLTS PT.F.A. MFG. CO HARTFORD, CONN. USA" stamped just above the serial number.

On the right side of the trigger guard forward of the trigger:

the number "4" is stamped on the WMK
the letter "W" is stamped on the WK0

On the same spot but on the left side:

The letter "S" just above the VP inside triangle (Colt's varified proof) on the WMK.
The letter "B" just above the VP inside triangle (Colt's varified proof) on the WK0

[clughog]

How about a picture of your pistol?? I'm sure we'd all love to see it.