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Hello, I am a new member and I am hoping someone out there may be able to solve a mystery for me. I have a Colt 1911A1 . It has a replacement slide. The slide has all the proper markings on the left side but the right side is marked "M1911A U.S. Army" Not 1911A1. The "1" is not worn off nor was it a light strike. I'll try to figure out to post a picture. Thanks in advance.
FWIK (and honestly I'm only parroting C.Clawson) "Beginning August 15, 1938, the inscription "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY" was stamped on the right side of spare slides. A memorandum explained that this marking would be placed on slides manufactured and intended for use as spare parts. This was necessary for the identification of pistols previously made without the model designation on the receiver[serial numbers1-712349]. They were also "P" proof marked forward of the rear sight. These slides were made by Colt,Ithaca,Remington-Rand,and Union Switch & Signal Company. Spare slides were manufactured until October 1943." Given that the only manufacturer that is known to have used slides marked this way in ORIGINAL manufacture was Ithaca.
Your 1911A1 has a replacement slide, FWIK sometimes s/n figures were not exactly the same, I guess that even rollmarks occasionally may present the same problem.
Best regards.
Also, stamps sometimes wore out and if a letter/number was not present, it could be overlooked or not as much concern as the actual production of a functional weapon.