Colt 1911A1 barrel codes

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03-12-2016, 08:45 PM
hogman247

Colt 1911A1 barrel codes

I have a couple of books on 1911's, neither explain the letter codes on the bottom of Colt barrels. I have two Colt's a 1942 853,xxx and 1943 1,174,xxx. Both have the same barrel with
Colt 45 Auto and P on them plus a "G" on the bottom of each.
Does anyone know any further info on the codes such as what other letters were used, any special meaning, etc.
Thanks!
03-13-2016, 08:18 PM
skip_c

2 Attachment(s)

Hogman,
The P indicates the barrel was proof fired. The G indicates the barrel was made for government use and not commercial. I have a 1942 with the same barrel. Check the
frame and you should find a G stamped on it. Hope this helps.
Skip
03-13-2016, 11:33 PM
Scott Gahimer

Colt used a variety of markings on their barrels. A 1942 Colt in the 853xxx serial range would have had a "G" marked barrel. there were two varieties...small "G" and large "G". Both are upper case, but they are different sizes. Your 1174xxx Colt is a 1944, not 1943. There were multiple barrel markings then, too. But the most common markings are a tiny "F" or a "7".
03-15-2016, 11:13 PM
hogman247

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip_c

Hogman,
The P indicates the barrel was proof fired. The G indicates the barrel was made for government use and not commercial. I have a 1942 with the same barrel. Check the
frame and you should find a G stamped on it. Hope this helps.
Skip

Large G on 1942 and Small G on 1944- Thanks!

---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Gahimer

Colt used a variety of markings on their barrels. A 1942 Colt in the 853xxx serial range would have had a "G" marked barrel. there were two varieties...small "G" and large "G". Both are upper case, but they are different sizes. Your 1174xxx Colt is a 1944, not 1943. There were multiple barrel markings then, too. But the most common markings are a tiny "F" or a "7".

Large G on 1942 and Small G on 1944, Thanks!
03-16-2016, 08:16 AM
hogman247

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Gahimer

Colt used a variety of markings on their barrels. A 1942 Colt in the 853xxx serial range would have had a "G" marked barrel. there were two varieties...small "G" and large "G". Both are upper case, but they are different sizes. Your 1174xxx Colt is a 1944, not 1943. There were multiple barrel markings then, too. But the most common markings are a tiny "F" or a "7".

After double checking 1944 Colts did not start until 1,609,529 so my 1,174,xxx is a 1943.
03-16-2016, 05:41 PM
Scott Gahimer

Don't know where you are checking, but you are either reading the information incorrectly or the information is just flat incorrect. 1944 Colt production started at 1155xxx. Your 1174xxx is from about February 1944. Also, there were no "G" barrels at all in 1944. The "G" was discontinued in 1943 at ca. 933xxx. All this information is available in the Clawson 3rd Edition Collector's Guide that been out since 2003. In Mr. Clawson's first book, published in 1991 and reprinted in 1993, he listed contract dates, NOT production and procurement dates. When a contract was issued has nothing to do with when pistols were produced or procured.

The dates I provided you are taken right from the original Colt shipping records that are included in Mr. Clawson's first book. Many readers confused the contract dates with production dates, so he eliminated the contract date information from the later books and included shipping and procurement dates only. You may not know me or trust me, but the information I've provided you is indeed fact. Good luck.