Dating an M1911

[chrise49]

Some time ago I purchased a 1911 with the serial number 364,xxx on the receiver. Clawson's book sets the production date & place of 1918 Colt. It was rebuilt at RIA and approved by Frank Krack which means it was rebuilt between 1941 - 1946. It has a high standard barrel and Ithaca slide. Am I correct in assuming that this is referred to as a Colt rebuild with an original date of 1918 and rebuild date of 1941 - 1946? Also on the left side of the receiver just above the magazine there is a triangle with an S8 or B (?) mark underneath. Can anyone tell me what that means? And last but not least, at some time the slide catch was replaced with a blued one. Should I replace that with a parkerized one or just let it go?
Thanks
Chris

[bgiven]

1918 Arsenal Rebuild. S8 is the final inspection mark. Leave the slide stop as is, since most Arsenal rebuilds were mixed parts anyways.

[Scott Gahimer]

Welcome to the forum.

It sounds as though you have a good undestanding of what you have. While the parts were mixed at the arsenals, I have not seen an arsenal rebuild with mixed finish parts. I would probably opt to replace the slide stop, if all the rest of the pistol appears to be arsenal correct.

Does all the rest of the pistol have the same phosphate finish? Is it all the same color? Are the "FK" and "RIA" struck through the finish? Are there any other markings struck near the "FK" and "RIA"? A flaming bomb, perhaps?

BTW, the "triangle" is an eagle's head.