Correct Barrel for four digit serial #?

[bentonville]

A friend has a 1911 Colt manufactured made in 1912 and all parts are correct as far as I can tell using Clawson's book. The barrel has the H on the hood. The barrel has what appears to be a seam about 3/4 of the way down from muzzle end. It seems more tapered than the later model 1911A1 that I own. There are no more markings on the barrel. the outer part that is visible through the port is not blue. It apprears that someone polished the bluing off. The rest of the barrel is blue and appears to be original finish. The gun itself is probably 95% +. The finish is just beautiful. The stampings have bare metal in the bottom and the lettering of Colt, etc. are very sharp (not white). I am certain that the finish of the gun is original. I have never personally seen an early Colt with this much finish and beautiful blue. Is the barrel correct in your opinion? Thanks.

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[oldcanuck]

You will need to give us some more information.

What is the serial number, where on the hood is the H located, and is the H a Roman letter, or Gothic. Additionally, if it is correctly marked, you would still have to verify originality by the wear patterns.

[bentonville]

# 8367. finish on barrel matches the rest of the gun, almost no wear at all on any thing, slide, frame, rails, etc. A tiny tiny bit of rust on right side along top of the frame over trigger guard area showing probably that it was held and not wiped off but the bluing even there is the same beautiful deep blue. The H seems to be the same style as the little W and R on inside top of the frame, iirc. I don't know Gothic from Roman, sorry. I just wasn't familiar with a seam before the locking lugs and the slight taper down to the lugs either. I only held the gun for a few minutes and he asked to me try to find out about it. The Clawson book doesn't show the barrel itself but the H on the barrel is the same as in the book. Thank you for your time.

[oldcanuck]

You will need to give us some more information.

What is the serial number, where on the hood is the H located, and is the H a Roman letter, or Gothic. Additionally, if it is correctly marked, you would still have to verify originality by the wear patterns.

OK... we have a serial number... still need to know where on the hood is the H located..???..... and Gothic is block letters, and Roman is serifed letters. None of the rest of the information is any help.

[bentonville]

Looking into the chamber, the H is on the very end of the top of the chamber. When I looked at it, I didn't know to look for Gothic or Roman and I don't remember that detail. If you tell me which is correct, I will call him and tell him to look for himself. Thanks for your time.

[Scott Gahimer]

Wear patterns involve a lot more than the amount of wear. It involves comparing specific wear on mating surfaces.

I understand what you mean about letting your friend with the pistol look for himself, but I'd encourage you to not let him stop there.

The description of the barrel does not sound original for the pistol. Bright chamber area, as in polished, is not correct.

95% condition with a barrel that sounds refinished, sounds to me like a pistol that might be refinished as well.

Excellent photos would be a place to start in determining what is what. To verify anything, it normally takes more than online photos. But that's a place to start.

[bentonville]

Thank you, Scott and Canuck, for the input. Scott, did you used to contribute to Dick and Gloria's forum several years ago? It seems that you used to help me a lot with a 1911A1 I purchased as well as a Navy Victory Model and some holsters. Things run together in my mind over time.
Concerning the barrel: Does the seam seem normal; the H: the tapering toward the locking lugs? I know the barrel hood visible through the ejection port is not normal. It has been polished almost white with just a little hint of the original bluing. The gun has no real wear patterns yet the stampings are "in the white" as they should be, according to Clawson's bood. This guy was given the gun by an old friend who was preparing his estate for his passing. It looks beautiful. The wood has a little wear on the right side bottom of the grip. Just a little. I don't think I will be able to get pictures as he lives a ways away from me. He is in LE and it's difficult to find him at home. I will ask him if he wants to send me some pictures. He thinks he has a treasure and he very well may have but without verification from guys who really know, I hesitate to encourage him.

[Scott Gahimer]

I have participated in many online sites since 1998, including the Culver site. Sorry to say, I do not remember your screen name or the specific help I might have provided. However, I deal with a lot of people pretty regularly. Feel free to contact me directly.

It is difficult for me to determine if you are describing an authentic M1911 barrel. Photos either way would be a big help. If you cannot post images of the barrel and pistol in question, it will be difficult to determine the status of the pistol and barrel.

Here is an image of the barrel marking on the back of the hood that would have originally been on the barrel that was in the pistol from the Colt factory.

[bentonville]

That's what is looks like. Does the barrel shown have the seam and a slight taper ? I wish the hood hadn't been polished. Perhaps he had a little pitting and tried to get it off but what a shame. The rest of the gun really is nice with sharp lettering etc. I appreciate your help.
Dooley

[Scott Gahimer]

Dooley:

M1911 barrels are all tapered. M1911A1 barrels have a small "step" at the muzzle end of the chamber on the bottom of the barrel that one should easily feel as he runs his finger over it.

The direction of the polishing noticably changes on the early M1911 barrels. At the muzzle end the polishing leaves a fairly bright finish and goes around the barrel.

The chamber end of the barrel is polished more coarsely, which leaves a finish that is dull blue/gray. The polish lines on that end go the opposite direction...lengthwise.

There is often a 1, 3 or 5 stamped on the bottom of the barrel, just in front of the lugs.