1918 black finish

[theodessakid]

Gentlemen and ladies. I am new to this site so please bear with me. I purchased a 1911 ser# 254XXX. The gun was made in 1918. I understand from the seller that this was the only year Colt used a "Black" finish. I have searched the web to find info on this finish and have found nothing. Can any one shed some light on the finish and why it was only used for one year? What does it look like compared to the standard blue.

[Scott Gahimer]

Welcome to the site.
A pistol in your serial range is too early to have what is typically referred to by collectors as the "black army" finish. Your pistol should have what is referred to as a "brushed blue" finish.
Photos would help us determine what you have.
Colt's eliminated the final step of polishing in mid-1918 to expedite the production of M1911 pistols. This left to a rougher surface prep, and ultimately a darker finish that didn't hold up as well. After WWI, Colt's resumed polishing as they had done prior.
I currently have some photos of a 1918 pistol with the "black army" finish posted at www.1911forum.com (http://www.1911forum.com) on the USGI board, as a reply to a similar question there. You may actually have to register to view the photos.
If you post photos here, we'll be glad to try to help.

[exitwounds]

Colt pistols from about serial #400,000 to end of WWI had a very coarse blued finish which caused pistols to almost appear black. These pistols are referred to as the "Black Armys". This was due to changes implemented to speed production and reduce cost as Scott mentioned. Among those changes was the elimination of the fine polishing step.

Odessa, Florida's rodeo area, I lived near there (in Port Richey) for about 5 yrs. in the mid-90's.

[Hunter]

I have a Colt 1911 made in 1918 the serial number is 276XXX with the black finish as well. It has been in my family around 12-14 years I reckon. Still outshoots many of the newer pistols at the range I shoot at. I love that Colt like Peter loves the Lord and yall know how much that is.

[RickB]

276,000 is way too early to be a black army. It could be an arsenal refinish.

[Hunter]

I am sure it is a refinish. Just not sure when it was refinished.

[exitwounds]

I have a Colt 1911 made in 1918 the serial number is 276XXX with the black finish as well. It has been in my family around 12-14 years I reckon. Still outshoots many of the newer pistols at the range I shoot at. I love that Colt like Peter loves the Lord and yall know how much that is.

The original finish on your weapon was probably "oven-bluing" a gas fired process. Produced by carbon from charred ground animal bones and pure petroleum oil. That colored the metal surface through vaporizing the mixture. Some arsenal rebuilds were stamped. ;)