Colt Commercial Question

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Guys hi and hello from the UK.....i own a Colt Commercial..serial number C16018........can you guys please elaborate on what was the year of production and also why are commercials different from military spec and did and "commercials" see military service ?

Sorry if this is a newbie question....

regards

Lloyd

Information

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[Duane Hansen]

Your Commercial Colt .45 was made in 1914. The commercial and military Models were basically identical as far as mechanics go. The finishes were different at times. And the markings were different. Some Commercial models ended up in Military use as some were transfered over to the military. In these cases the markings were changed and they were refinished to match current Military finishes. Some were sold to foreign Militarys as well.

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Thank you Duane.... i appreciate the help..wow thats early.

So Duane any features i should look for to see if my Commercial has been rebuilt or messed with ?

Regards

Lloyd

[Johnny Peppers]

Between February and June of 1915 Colt delivered over 2,000 Government Models in the C13400 to C18400 serial number range to the London Armoury Company. Your pistol would stand a good chance to be among those orders.
Does your Colt have British proofs?

[Duane Hansen]

Commercial or "Government Models" as they are called, did not go through Arsenal Rebuilds like their Military counterparts did. When someone needed to have the commercial pistols worked on or repaired, they could be sent back to Colts factory for repair or sent to one's favorite gunsmith. Could you post some pictures for us?

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Hi Johnny..any idea of what a British Proof mark would look like...and i will check for a more positive ID.
What was the purpose of this delivery ?........WW1 military service

Regards

Lloyd

[Johnny Peppers]

The two proof houses were Birmingham and London. The slide, receiver, and barrel would all have the proofs from one of the proof houses. The proof mark for the barrel was an intertwined GP under a crown for the London proof house, and a BP under a crown for Birmingham. The markings should be very visible, and were required for nearly all foreign firearms sold in England, the U.S. included.
The commercial version of the Model 1911 wasn't just called the Government Model; it was the Government Model and is stamped on the receiver.

[Duane Hansen]

"The commercial version of the Model 1911 wasn't just called the Government Model; it was the Government Model and is stamped on the receiver"

Yes, and I'm not just called Duane Hansen, I am Duane Hansen!

[Johnny Peppers]

"The commercial version of the Model 1911 wasn't just called the Government Model; it was the Government Model and is stamped on the receiver"

Yes, and I'm not just called Duane Hansen, I am Duane Hansen!

Great information!

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Johnny the markings on my Commercial are..as you say Birmingham Proof House markings....on slide behind the " ribs" and on the frame preceding the C of the serial number

Then on the opposite side of the slide are all the patent dates they read Patented Apr 20 1897 Sept 9 1902
Dec 19 1905 Feb14 1911 Aug 19 1913

Then seperated by the Rearing Horse Logo

Then behind the horse nearest the slide ribs Colts PT FAM MFG Co
Hartford CT USA

What else should i look for Johnny ?

Regards

Lloyd