M1911 Imports

[Snowman1510]

The recent gun show pick up M1911 has a tiny Century Arms Import marking on it. Does anybody know when or from where Century imported them? I scoured the web but didn't find anything useful. I'll add a photo of what I am speaking about for aid.

Information

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[painter777]

where Century imported them?

Stumbled on to this, not sure if I'm on the right trail, but possibly The Philippines, made by S.A.M. Shooters Arms Manufacturing, Inc. They made/make 2 models in .45acp. Military style and a Elite.
M1911 distributed exclusively in the United States by Century Arms International. About all I know, gathered from this link:

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Centu.....-a0237627549

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

[Snowman1510]

Hey Painter, the 1911 I have is a GI model made by Colt, has the US property marks and the wear to boot, I suspected it could have ce from Korea or another Pacific nation but I am not sure. Interestingly my LGS has a S.A.M M1911 that I looked at pretty beat little pieces in my opinion.

[painter777]

Found a few Tid Bits:

Colt M1911 with CAI import markings under trigger guard - CMP Forums

Century Import Marked M1911A1? - CMP Forums

A Colt series 70 with a CAI import mark? - AR15.COM

My Thoughts after reading the AR15 forum link above, Maybe exported from the USA to a Foreign Police Force or the like, then Imported back to the States via CAI.

Good Luck
Charlie-Painter777

[Snowman1510]

Thanks Painter, if you don't mind me asking, what were your keywords you used in the search bar?

EDIT:

I think it *could* be one of the imports from the Philippines or Taiwan as mentioned on the other site. Considering that they mentioned the M1911s were in rough shape coincides with mine. It looks like it was stored in a wet sock for 20 years.

[painter777]

I used a Google search: Did Century Arms Import M1911 ?
Which brought up these results: Did Century Arms Import M1911 ? - Google Search

Then it Morphed to where ever I wandered from there. I recall seeing (somewhere) a return/purchase of some Israeli Security pistols purchased by CAI somewhere along the way. Also Filipino and Taiwan purchases..... all being small buys. Read where someone (I believe a gun shop dealer on the AR forum) stated that CAI keeps these purchases close to their vest, to discourage or to keep other Importers from finding out, thus becoming competition.

I believe my best results came after I Tried this Google search that seemed to hit better:
colt m1911 with Century Arms Import stamp
Results: colt m1911 with Century Arms Import stamp - Google Search

Charlie-P777

[Snowman1510]

The import stamp I am looking at on mine is in the photo posted earlier in this thread, I could get some better detail on it if required. However I couldn't find the import country that is usually labeled on import weapons. At least not yet any way due to the roughness. Let me break out a fine flashlight.

EDIT:

Nothing that I can see besides an Eagle Head Proof and a tiny 5.7 on the bottom left side of the trigger guard near the mag release. The only marks I see are the U.S. property marks on both the slide and frame. I highly doubt it, but could there be something under the grips?

[painter777]

an Eagle Head Proof and a tiny 5.7 on the bottom left side of the trigger guard near the mag release.

Might the 5.7 you see...... Possibly be S 17 ? with the 1 very lightly stamped?
We need guys like Pepper and his gang to see this.

1911 Eagle's Head marking. question? - 1911Forum

[Snowman1510]

I have seen the S17 below the eagle head stamping, and I just saw another link that had a number stamped in the same spot, I will have to find the link tomorrow as well as post a few photos here.

[Snowman1510]

Here are the stamps I did find on the weapon. The Eagle Head has the S17 and the 5.7 is just barley visible.

I have a few more photos as well. The pistol has what I am assuming is a civilian barrel in it, no big lost to me though. It is blued, but no production markers on it to tell me who made it.