X prefix serial number WWI Colt Frame

[Leggett71]

Was shown a Colt WW1 frame with a WW2 slide by an aquaintence. The frame had correct inspector marks per Poyer, JMG next to mag release, G & H on top the receiver along with an 8 and a Z.
Story with the 1911 is it was grandfather's who was in WW1. He was wanting to get info on his 1911.

The sticky wicket is the original frame markings, SN etc. has been ground off the right side of the receiver & replaced with an X prefix 4-digit hand stamped number. The number is from the group of SN's given to the Springfield Arsenal, table 5-12, Poyer 1925-53.
The US Property marks on the left side are only faintly visible under a 10X microscope.
Slide is an Ithaca with correct markings & a High Standard barrel.
Other parts appear to be a mix of WW1 & 2 vintage.

After reading another post from a couple of years ago on filed off serial numbers it appears there could be serious issues with BATF for having it in his possession. In an attempt to see if the pistol X prefix SN's are legit I noted in the same post comments like the numbers on the pistol in question in that post did not look like any the responding experts had observed on arsenal refinished receivers with X prefix numbers. Poyer dedicated several paragraphs to reclaimed X prefix frames but is there is little info I have found by searching the net. COOLGUN SITE has some pictures but Is there a source of more info on this subject?
With that in mind I would ask a couple of questions.
First, is there any way to verify the X prefix number is legitimate?
Second, is there any posted photos of Springfield arsenal restamps of damaged or recovered stolen 1911's to compare his stampings to.

Any information or directions to info will be appreciated.

Leggett

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

You didn't mention what the serial number was as there are several series of them, but if the pistol was the grandfather's that he brought back from WWI the time line doesn't work out. The first X prefix serial numbers weren't used until 1924, six years after WWI ended.

The X prefix has been a popular fix for a military pistol that has had the serial number illegally removed. Apply the X number and it is legal again because they are in the book. With the Ithaca slide, this puts it up into 1943 at the earliest, so you can see the problems with the WWI connection.

[Leggett71]

Johhny,

He did not say his grandfather brought it back. Does not know when his grandfather acquired the 1911. Just stated his grandfather was in WW1. As you note it is obvious from the parts this was not a bringback.

The SN is 4 digits and fits in the group Poyer noted as assigned to Springfield Arsenal and they used on reclaimed frames from 1925 - 1953 as I stated above. Not concerned about dating it just verifying the numbers were stamped on it by the arsenal.

Leggett

[Johnny Peppers]

"Story with the 1911 is it was grandfather's who was in WW1."

Maybe not, but the story line sure leads one to believe that it was brought back from WWI, otherwise why include it?

[Scott Gahimer]

The majority of X numbered pistols I've seen online and examined at gun shows over the last several years are, IMO, not original arsenal-applied markings. However, without good photos of the entire pistol, there really isn't any credible information that can be offer for this specific pistol. Asking for information from those believed to be experts has some expectations on the part of those who reply. If I can't see the pistol, I typically won't attempt to comment on whether or not markings may be legitimate.

There were far more pistols carried home that had their serial numbers scrubbed than those with reapplied X numbers. If you do the math, chances are pretty slim you'll find a real one. Instead, too may folks have figured out they can turn illegal contraband into cash...just by using a punch set. Not very convincing, usually, to anyone who has looked at a lot of the pistols. But today, a lot of guys like a nice story to go with the humping they get at the gun shows or on the Internet.

Yes, I own and have owned a few legitimate examples, including pistols with original government documentation verifying the re-number and pistols shown in the Clawson books. But still, that doesn't tell me anything about the subject pistol.