Calling all 1911 experts.....

[PatMcD]

What do you make of this serial number? All early Colt features, but looks like that 1 at the end was struck later. Ever seen of heard of anything like this?

 

[Marty McFly]

Im not a 1911 expert but in that serial number range you would be pre 1920? Probably just a harder hit when they serialized it.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

 

[cams]

I don’t think that’s a ‘1’, it appears to be a ‘hard stop’ so nobody can add a number after the fact. Maybe that was a problem back then?

I’m thinking back in the day when reports were written by hand still, and we were taught to put *this at the end so nobody could alter it after the fact.

*Nothing Further. //—————-//

...and the writer would block off any empty space left at the bottom of the paper with those lines and tags to fill empty space.

I’m probably way off but that’s what popped into my head upon viewing.

 

[PatMcD]

Im not a 1911 expert but in that serial number range you would be pre 1920? Probably just a harder hit when they serialized it.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

A 35,000 range number would be early 1913. Just prior to the coveted Marine Corps range.

 

[Marty McFly]

A 35,000 range number would be early 1913. Just prior to the coveted Marine Corps range.

Yeah but if thats a 1 at the end as it appears it would have been later but still prior to 1920? 1918-1919?

 

[HorizontalHunter]

I agree with Cams. Definitely not a one.

Post it over on gunboards in the military hand gun forum. Someone there will know.

Bob

 

[PatMcD]

Yeah but if thats a 1 at the end as it appears it would have been later but still prior to 1920? 1918-1919?

Yes, a 356,000 range would be 1918 I think. No big deal; those are a dime a dozen. A 1913, though; you don't see those every day.

 

[PATRON]

Here is a picture of another Colt, looks like it was the HULKS job to strike the 1.

 

[PatMcD]

Here is a picture of another Colt, looks like it was the HULKS job to strike the 1.

Looks just like the one in my photo, doesn't it. That's a bummer. I was thinking of buying this, but I already have an earlier number than that.

 

[greencobra]

I don’t think that’s a ‘1’

it's not a "1", a one in a serial number would not look like a "I" but like this..."1"

 

[jpm]

it's not a "1", a one in a serial number would not look like a "I" but like this..."1"

Its a 1, look at the other example with the same character in the middle of the s/n. Its for sure not a letter there. And I don't think anyone uses an i in a s/n since it can be mistaken for a 1.

 

[greencobra]

Its a 1, look at the other example with the same character in the middle of the s/n. Its for sure not a letter there. And I don't think anyone uses an i in a s/n since it can be mistaken for a 1.

i'm not sure here cause mil surp i know nothing about...but i don't think an "i" or capitol "I" are used in serial numbers on firearms for the reason they could be mistaken for a one "1". that said, i have nothing else and haven't a clue what that mark is. but interesting thread nonetheless.

 

[jasons]

Looks like a 1, similar to this one: WW1 Colt 1911 45 Auto Pistol 1918

What's the asking price?

 

[greencobra]

Looks like a 1, similar to this one:

damn!

 

[PATRON]

I think they used an I as a 1 as to not have someone confuse a lite struck 7 as a 1.

 

[Marty McFly]

I think they used an I as a 1 as to not have someone confuse a lite struck 7 as a 1.

Makes sense

 

[jpm]

I think they used an I as a 1 as to not have someone confuse it for a 7.

it looks like they repurposed some other stamp into that exaggerated stick they use as a 1

 

[jpm]

i'm not sure here cause mil surp i know nothing about...but i don't think an "i" or capitol "I" are used in serial numbers on firearms for the reason they could be mistaken for a one "1". that said, i have nothing else and haven't a clue what that mark is. but interesting thread nonetheless.

GI 1911s don't have i's in their serial numbers at all. Its absolutely a 1.

 

[Marty McFly]

it looks like they repurposed some other stamp into that exaggerated stick they use as a 1

And if the used the same pressure to hit a 1 it would imprint more than another number due to the low surface area

 

[smokey-seven]

It also appears that ALL those individual serial numbers were a one off stamp at a time. They vary vertically a little number by number.

 

[cluless]

there is a 1911 research group on fb.. they xan and will provide you with all the information you desire. sorry i can't help with that but i definately do not think it's a 1.

 

[PatMcD]

there is a 1911 research group on fb.. they xan and will provide you with all the information you desire. sorry i can't help with that but i definately do not think it's a 1.

I found a bunch of them when searching on Facebook. Which one is it?

 

[jpm]

I found a bunch of them when searching on Facebook. Which one is it?

Take it to Dick @ Patriot Arms in Ipswich and he will tell you everything you want to know about it.

 

[grizquad]

You can go on Colt's website and for $50. send in the s/n and they will send you the pistol's pedigree. I did that with mine and its pretty interesting.
I agree it doesn't look like a 1

 

[cluless]

I found a bunch of them when searching on Facebook. Which one is it?

vintage 1911 collectors association.