Black Army?

[A. F Medic]

My brother's father in law showed me a .45 which I feel is a BA. Serial number is 437121 (1918). Great looking piece but I cannot find "Property of US Government" stamped on it. Would that make a difference as far as a military BA or a civilian BA, if there was such an animal. Thanks...

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Johnny Peppers]

There was no Black Army model. The finish was referred to as the black finish due to less polishing and hurry up blue job during WWI. The finish took on a black look when oil was applied, and this morphed into "Black Army". Colt never used the hurry up finish on it's commercial models.
If the United States Property is missing, it has been removed, and possibly the pistol has been reblued to cover this up.

[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.

[A. F Medic]

I looked at it again and it does not have the diamonds on the grips nor the lanyard ring. Oh. Well!

[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.

[A. F Medic]

It is not my pistol but I will say "Gulp" for the present owner!

[Johnny Peppers]

With our present government getting ready to spend trillions on healthcare, it has no interest in the old military pistol. Enough of the 1911 and 1911A1 pistols were given away, sold, or stolen that there is no way of sorting out which is which.

[ltcboy]

I thought the Black Army models were issued to the Buffalo soldiers.

[Johnny Peppers]

I thought the Black Army models were issued to the Buffalo soldiers.

And the Navy models to Popeye the Sailor Man?

[ltcboy]

And the Navy models to Popeye the Sailor Man?

HAHAHAHAHAHA! LOL I spit my drink out!