Some general WW II 1911A1 questions...

[imarangemaster]

I recently picked up a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 to carry as a duty sidearm (replacing my S&W model 469 9mm) for my high country "Critical Infrastructure Protection" contract. I actually had a RI before, and it was a great weapon. It ate everything I fed it , was accurate, and never had a malfunction. I sold it in a moment of stupidity about 3 or 4 years ago to buy something else. At $525 out the door for this one, I can live with it not saying COLT or REMINGTON.

I got the military model with gray parkerized finish and military sights to go with my USGI M1 Carbines, original Boyt 1942 holster, 1944 Avery 1911 mag pouch, and 1936 belt.

First thing I did was get some GI brown plastic grips (to replace the ugly smooth wood ones it came with), and an arched mainspring housing (without lanyard loop) to make it look a little more USGI. The grips are post war, but that's OK, as it is just for utility and looks. I also have some nice checkered walnut, but can't see banging them up getting in and out of the patrol jeep.

My questions are these:

1) When did they switch to the wide spur hammer on the 1911A1? I have seen 1911A1s with both narrow and wide spurs. Years ago I had an original Remington Rand in the pasteboard box, and it had a narrow spur. (I wish I still had that one too!)

2) Did the 1911A1s with the arched mainspring housing all have lanyard loops on the mainspring housing? I have seen them both ways: with and without. My Ithaca 1911A1 I had when I was in the MPs did not have one.

Thanks in advance.

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

The 1911A1 originally came with the wide spur hammer, beginning with the 1924 "Transition" which was originally a Model 1911 but had it's designation changed to Model 1911A1 in 1926. Colt changed to the narrow hammer right at the end of 1944, while the other manufacturers used the narrow hammer except for a few wide spur sent to Remington Rand and Ithaca at the beginning of production in 1943.

All the mainspring housings had the lanyard loop.

Are you saying you carry your duty weapon in a Model 1916 holster with GI belt and magazine pocket?

[imarangemaster]

Thanks,

NO, I used modern gear on duty. Because I wear a full coverage level IIIA tactical ballistic vest, I use a drop down tactical leg holster and a standard 2 1/4" nylon duty belt. I carry a semi-auto M4gery as a patrol carbine, also. I was actually using my Standard Products mix-master M-1 Carbine as a patrol carbine before I finished my M4gery build last month.

The 1942 Boyt holster and web belt are just for when I take my M1 Carbines for a walk....

[imarangemaster]

I forgot to ask the third question:

3) When did they switch from checkered walnut to brown Bakelite or plastic with the 1911A1? Was it during the war?

I actually like the stock GI brown plastic almost as well as the checkered walnut. I tried Pachmyer's when I carried a 1911A1 (Auto Ordnance) for a couple years on the Sheriff's Office in the 90s, but went back to stock, as they felt better to me.

[Johnny Peppers]

Colt switched from full checkered wood to Coltwood plastic grips in April of 1941. The other manufacturers used plastic throughout production.

The Ordnance designation was "stocks" rather than grips.

[imarangemaster]

Another 1911A1 WW2 era question: The arched mainspring housings with lanyard, where all verticle grooved, or were some a diamond pattern like grip checkering? I have seen both.

[imarangemaster]

Another 1911A1 WW2 era question: The arched mainspring housings with lanyard, where all verticle grooved, or were some a diamond pattern like grip checkering? I have seen both.

I think I found the answer. The 1911 technical manual shows diamond pattern, though now I am not sure where the ones I have seen with vertical grooves and lanyard loops come into the picture.