Early 1911 Finish question

[imarangemaster]

Helping out a friend who wants specs of doing a replica of an early (Poncho Via era) 1911 for SASS Wild Bunch matches.

I understand that they did not parkerize 1911A1s until about 1942. What finish would a pre-WW I 1911 military issue have? I am asuming it would be polished blue . I know it would not have the finger relief cuts behind the trigger, but would have a flat mainspring housing with lanyard staple and a longer trigger. Would the mainspring housing be grooved or smooth.

Any help appreciated.

Information

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[lenb]

Sounds like a fun project, and may take some effort to get the right look, depending on the level of detail he wants to achieve. The early M1911's that would have been used in this period would have had a really nice high polish oven blued finish without the finger cuts, and with a flat, smooth mainspring housing with the loop on the bottom. The early magazines would have been two-toned and also had a loop on the bottom. The grip panels would be the double diamond walnut type. You should post pics here when he's finished, we'd like to see the results. Hope this helps.

Len

[jmoore]

I've a 1916 commercial of which I might take pics if it helps. (It's not the ultra-high polish of the VERY early models.) Military pistols transitioned to a slightly less polished finish early on, so this ought to be close. (Commercial mags are more polished for sure, than military issue.) No books at hand right now to help w/ details, but someone ought to know the proper "look".

[Scott Gahimer]

Here are photos of an original finish 1915 Colt M1911. 1915 was the last year lanyard loop magazines were shipped with pistols new from the factory, but they continued to be issued with pistols by the military for years to come.
Same pistol...just different background and lighting.

[jmoore]

Wow, lots "rougher" texture than the Commercial model! (For some reason I've had rather more of those than military 1911s...)

[imarangemaster]

Thanks guys. I will send him the pics. I appreciate your help. It is for Boyd Davis of EMF. They want to produce an American Made Wild Bunch era 1911 that is fairly correct. I handled a prototype, but it needs work.

[Scott Gahimer]

Thanks guys. I will send him the pics. I appreciate your help. It is for Boyd Davis of EMF. They want to produce an American Made Wild Bunch era 1911 that is fairly correct. I handled a prototype, but it needs work.

If you send him my photos, feel free to forward my e-mail address to him as well. If he needs more detailed photos, I can provide those as well. My e-mail address should be available through this site. If not, PM me and I'll provide it.

Within the next 5-6 weeks I hope to launch a new website with photos and information for every make and year of M1911 and M1911A1 ever made, as well as other USGI pistols and revolvers. The website designers are currently plugging in modules and loading content. Not another forum... but an informational site which will also offer services for collectors.

[lenb]

Scott, your new website sounds like a great idea, and I for one am excited to hear this! Please let us know when it's ready, and how to find it. I know that I'll be spending time there when it goes online. Thanks for helping collectors like myself learn more about these pistols.

Len

[Chuckindenver]

heres a 1911 that i did a couple years ago...