Black Army?

[A. F Medic]

Thank you! As this is a new field for me could I truthfully say that all early 1911s were destined for the Army (marked as such) and not for civilian use? Thus, the one I saw probably went thru a civilian rearsenal after it left Army control somehow.

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[Johnny Peppers]

Thank you! As this is a new field for me could I truthfully say that all early 1911s were destined for the Army (marked as such) and not for civilian use? Thus, the one I saw probably went thru a civilian rearsenal after it left Army control somehow.

Colt had a contract to supply pistols to the U.S. military, and these were Model 1911 pistols. Concurrently, Colt made a civilian version called the Government Model, and it was so marked, and in it's own serial number range with a C prefix.. All the Model 1911 pistols were made for the military.
With the United States Property being removed, it is virtually certain the pistol was stolen from the military at some time. Removing the USP was the most common method to try and hide the pistols original owner, even though the serial number and Model of 1911 U.S. Army are also dead giveaways.