NEW 1943 Colt 1911A1

[DaveN]

Not really showing it off but have a question. Found markings that may be import markings or arsenal rework markings? Any Ideas
In any event they are at least under the grip panels

Information

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[Scott Gahimer]

Those are import marks and generally detract from the value.

[DaveN]

My thoughts also. I'm not concerned with the value of this one as I was looking for one in shooter condition for under $1000 and got this one for $808. The pistols markings are mostly crisp and its nice to finally hold a bit of history in my hand at last.
My biggest question is what import company do these marks belong to so that I may possibly trace this guns past.
Also I hear comments on how sloppy these import marks are slapped on the guns. I'm glad some one some where had the idea of putting them neatly under the grip panel. Has this been known to be a regular practice.

[Johnny Peppers]

Some of the Blue Sky imported M1 Carbines were stamped so hard on the barrel that the barrel was slightly egged, while other importers scribed their import mark so lightly that you could hardly see it, and a little burnishing removed it. It was strictly up to the importer as to how they marked their imports. The marking under the grip is well hidden, but could also be a problem when buying a pistol if you didn't remove the grips, which most sellers wouldn't like you doing.

If the markings doesn't bother you, looks like a nice pistol. Does the slide still match?

[emmagee1917]

Interarms out of Sacramento , Ca.
Chris

[DaveN]

Jp, sad to say no the slide is 2680 pistols later. Frame 916376 slide 919056. Haven't checked to see production numbers for colt in early 1943 but these two colts may have at least been in the factory at the same time and even shipped in the same shipment. Frame is Ithaca shared serial slide Rem Rand shared or duplicated your preference of terminology.
The marks seem to be the Import Arms Company of Sacramento California,who went out of biz in the 80's. They were bringing in SKS's and other stuff from China. Did we lend or give China 1911A1"s after the war? Is it possible the Chinese Army used Our 1911A1's like mine against our troops in Korea? I know they used a lot of Thompson sub machine guns as I've seen pictures some where of piles of captured ones though they might have been North korean captures I'm really not 100% sure.

[Johnny Peppers]

The serial numbers actually were not shared. Colt managed to duplicate serial numbers with the three other major 1911A1 manufacturers, while the other manufacturers did not duplicate any numbers.

Almost 2300 1911A1 pistols were Lend-Leased to China during WWII, but there would be no way to prove you have one of them.

[DaveN]

I guess I'll just have to enjoy it like it is and not knowing it's history other then it was born in 1943 will be just fine.

Also don't you think it's odd that the slide is exactly 2680 pistols after the frame? I know it's the way I'm wired and the 2 serials aren't like the start of a run or anything like that and it would be weird if it was exactly 2000 or 2500 or even 2600 or maybe i'm just working to much and need a good nights sleep..........but it's not 2683 or 2686....I think i'll hit the rack ,good night.....

[Neal Myers]

You're overthinking this. It was not unusual during WW2 for a batch of consecutive number guns to be issued to a single military unit. It has always been common for US military to have "cleaning parties" for their guns, where it was easy to swap parts between guns. That is likely the explanation for the mismatching slide on your pistol.

[Johnny Peppers]

Agree. I have seen the slide off by only one number, to several thousand, to no number on the slide at all. The slide serial number was not a military requirement, but was used by Colt in assuring that the fitted slide would get back on the correct receiver. When the tolerances were relaxed somewhat, Colt discontinued the numbering of the slide as they no longer used it.