Question on an Colt 1911A1

[gunner]

Hi to all,

i have an question on an 1911 Colt that an comrade got new. There are two markings on the left side, one at the trigger guard " silesia" maybe a traders mark and on the same side under the slidecatch(?) there is a "W.B." Can anybody tell me what the meaning of this markings are? The Serial# is in the 80.5xxx range.
Thank you for your help!

Regards

Gunner

Information

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[browningautorifle]

The WB should be the inspector, Waldemar Broberg. The other I can't say.

[Johnny Peppers]

W.B. in a box is the initials of Col. Waldemar Broberg who was the commanding officer of the Springfield Ordnance District. As such he was in charge of all inspections and acceptance of military weapons produced in his district. The actual inspections were carried out by civilian employees who worked for the ordnance department.
More than likely it is a pistol that was turned over to a post WWII police force in Silesia. I would be surprised if it did not have additional German proof marks.

[gunner]

Hi Johnny Peppers,

yes it has German proofmarks from the BRD. So the Silesia isn´t a traders mark? Than this Colt has an interesting history. It is in really good condition except the bore is a bit rough. But it is a good shooting one.
Thank you for your answer. BTW what would you think is a correct value for it?

Regards

Gunner

[Johnny Peppers]

The same markings show up on commercial pistols, and like British proofs on foreign pistols sold commercially, I would expect the same type proof laws applied in Silesia. Some small arms were given to post WWII police units, and the Colt being a U.S. military pistol there is a good chance it saw some police use before being sold commercially.
There are several factors that would determine the value of your pistol. Slide still correctly numbered to receiver, original barrel, original grips, original finish, condition........

[gunner]

Hi Johnny Peppers,

All numbers are matching, the barrel is looking like it is the original, grips are original only question is were Colt pistols blued/blackened or parkereized? This one has the same finish like the later Colt modells.

Regards

Gunner

[Johnny Peppers]

All the W.B. accepted Colts would have had a phosphate (Parkerized) finish.

[gunner]

OK, than it was reblued and not parkerized! Bad, so the value will be low.

Thank you much for your help!

Regards

Gunner