SRS search on a Colt M1911A1

[rkbanet]

Does anyone have an info on a Colt M1911A1 sn 881213. Any help is greatly appreciated.

regards,

Giovanni

[Bill Hollinger]

I believe that would be a 1943 somewhere in the spring???

[rkbanet]

Yes that is correct, I was wondering if there was any info in tbe Springfield Research Service in regards to it.

regards,

Giovanni

[Promo]

Closest two hits I found:

880982 121846KY
881790 062345FT G G MEADE

[Scott Gahimer]

Serial number "hits" in the Springfield Research Service database are similar to vehicle identification numbers. The only hits that tell you anything are direct hits on a specific serial number. Just like sequential vehicles going all different places, so did pistols, and so are the serial numbers with hits in the SRS database.

[Promo]

I agree with you Scott. However having a gun which might not be listed, but is in a complete block of identical recipient would be a good hint that it might have been a part of this. Therefore I also always look at the "neighbour" guns and how close those are

[Scott Gahimer]

If I understand what you are saying correctly, I disagree. The SRS "hits" are based on serial numbers listed on documents. If a serial number is in a large, sequential block of numbers listed on the same document, then only would the sequential numbers have anything to do with the serial number in question. Otherwise, they are totally unrelated.

A few good examples that demonstrate what I am trying to say are:

A) Serial number 935847 is listed as being used in an EXP CONTAINER TEST on 12/27/45. I own serial number 935846. It is not listed and I should not assume it has anything to do with the experimental container test or pistol 935847.

B) I own consecutive serial numbered Colt pistols 1654210 and 1654211. I have Colt letters for both pistols. They were not assembled at the same time, but instead 1 day apart. They were shipped 4 days apart in different shipments. The only time they were ever side is side (probably) is when the receivers being numbered, in the middle of the production process.

C) I have a Colt pistol, 705425, that is a direct hit in the SRS database. I have the SRS letter and copies of all the documentation associated with that hit in the National Archives. The SRS database hit says "705425 092136 USCG PISTOL RANGE (LOST)". One should not assume 705424 or 705426 have anything to do with the Coast Guard or this SRS hit...because they don't. There are more than (600) M1911 and M1911A1 serial numbers listed on that document and only (5) pairs of consecutively numbered pistols.

D) Every 1938 Colt M1911A1 pistol (about 35 total) listed in the SRS database is listed as being a Navy. There were only 1296 of those pistols. They were all originally shipped to Springfield Armory, and from there shipped to various branches of service. There are only about 15 known examples in collections today, and many of those pistols are known to have not been Navy pistols.

Pistols, often, were not even shipped by the manufacturer in sequential order, let alone later transferred, lost, stolen, repaired, etc..in sequential order. Some SRS database hits are from listings of large, sequential groups of numbers, but those examples are very limited and generally deal with delivery listings of pistols that were originally shipped in sequential order.

The closest serial numbers listed in the SRS database most generally have nothing to do with even a sequential serial number that is not listed. The listings you cite demonstrate that point very well. They have nothing to do with one another.

I hope that helps.

[Promo]

Scott,

I was referring not only to the M1911 pistols, but to any SRS records. Mainly because of the M1903 rifle. Just to give an example, most W&S scoped rifles are in certain serial ranges, however are not all of them listed. But any rifle being within that range makes it possible that it could be an original one. I agree that this is not a guarantee, but it might be helpful.

[Scott Gahimer]

Because Giovanni asked about an SRS hit for a specific Colt M1911A1 pistol, you replied with 2 unrelated M1911A1 SRS hits, and we're on a pistol forum, I mistakenly assumed we were discussing pistols. My bad.

In all seriousness, I know you did not say the two SRS hits you cited had anything to do with Giovanni's pistol. You just said they were the closest two hits to his serial number. My initial reply was for Giovanni's benefit, so he would understand the nature of an SRS hit. With SRS, it's either a hit, or it isn't. We're not throwing grenades; close doesn't count for anything.