Unusual 1911 USP Rollmark

Picked up a well used 1911 serial 31973X the other day. (I will post photos from photobucket) It appears to have had the United States Property rollmark applied three times. The first attempt was very close to the top edge of the dustcover(there are some rust pittings, so you have to look very close) you can pick out a few of the letters. The application appears to have been very light. The second attempt appears to have been in the correct location, but very lightly struck. The third attempt was in the correct location, but applied so strong that it dented the dust cover. Just wondered if anyone else had seen this type of screw up. I have seen on this forum as well as others where the slide had been botched, but never on the frame.

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0d4110e0-1.jpg

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http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps3b31cf4e.jpg

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http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps8bbffbbd.jpg

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http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps95c3b80f.jpg

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http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...pse733c6a8.jpg

I'm relatively positive the current marking is an engraving. Can't say for sure about the other two, as there isn't enough left to say with those photos. However, I suspect one of those may be an original roll mark.

Not disputing your expert eye, but seems like a lot of work for a rusted pitted frame.

May have had to change roll dies, and had trouble getting orientation back.

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Originally Posted by hitch1911

Not disputing your expert eye, but seems like a lot of work for a rusted pitted frame.

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May just be the pictures, too, but the ends of the letters appear to be rounded out.

The originals don't look to be rusted out, the metal seems to be abused. Like stippled or something, to confuse the original marking...like a strike out. Then hammered flat again.

I was about to ask for the serial number range, but it is posted. That is the incorrect style lettering for the serial number range given. How about additional pictures of the pistol?

It should have Gothic lettering at that serial range. Also those letters (with serifs) don't look a think like other original 1911's with correct Roman serif style letters. I also see what Scott sees, looks like a series of tiny scallops in the letters, a sign they were hand cut, not roll marked. The deep pressure dent under the USP goes against the engraved letter theory however so maybe the light shadow marking was roll marked, then new letters hand cut on top of it.