Detail stripped and cleaned, like you did. A bit of insurance and piece of mind that protects both me and the gun. I got one of the Black Army 1911s, and replaced every spring with a Wolff spring pack before I shot it. It's a beaut Xavier! Looking forward to a range report too! 7:32 AM Anonymous said. Matthew, the SA eagle proof can be seenin the second picture in this thread at The 1911 Forum.
#Arda flickr gallery color serial numbers
Were the markings stamped, roll marked, etched were the markings done before the slide was blued or after when were the serial numbers added, etc. The proofs and slide markings are an interesting bit of history all to themselves, and you can even learn a thing or two about the actual manufacturing process. Additionally, few US pistols have proof marks since they aren't required in the US like they are in other countries i.e. Is there any way you can post a picture of the eagle proofmark? It seems very few know about the proofs that go along with the history of their pistols. Keep us posted! Again, CONGRATULATIONS! Your patient perseverance paid off. It's ironic that many pistols often associated with WWI finally saw combat after Pearl Harbor, and were brought home by the GIs of WWII.įrom "Anon" in CA: I know I'm dying for the range report. The "Black Army" Colts were a common sidearm in the combat theaters of WWII until 1943, when production of the M1911A1 reached it's zenith. Thousands of Colt "Black Army" M1911s languished in the armories of the US military, where they sat ready until war was again declared in 1941. While the "Black Army" pistol is often viewed as a World War One pistol, it must be remembered that the Great War ended with the armistice signed on 11 November, 1918, a scant seven months after the "Black Army" variation began. I am happy to have an all original M1911 that can be handled without hesitation. The eagle proofmark is visible above the magazine release. Prior to being accepted by the US Army, this M1911 was given the nod by Springfield Armory inspectors. The interior parts are still as new, and the bore is bright. Although the wartime expedient finish is mostly absent on the exterior of my pistol, it has seen very little actual use. I was fortunate to find my Colt "Black Army" walking into a gun show at a fair price. Walnut double diamond grips are de rigueur. They will also have the typical characteristics of a M1911, a smooth flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, an early M1911 slide stop, and a wide spur hammer with an itty bitty spur on the grip safety.
#Arda flickr gallery color serial number
The prancing pony moved there sometime between serial number 275000. When such a pistol appears on the market, it can command high prices.Īll "Black Army" pistols will have the rampant Colt in the center of the slide. Because of the mix master appearance when weathered and a greater chance of wear on these wartime pistols, many collectors are still seeking the elusive Colt "Black Army" pistols with a high amount of finish. After ninety years, the uneven appearance from different rates of wear often gives the impression that all original pistols were put together from scavenged parts. Over time, the weaker "Black Army" finish wore off many of the slides and frames while the small parts remained blued.
Many of the small parts such as the slide stops and thumb safeties were outsourced or previously manufactured, and were still polished and blued in the previous manner. To be sure, Hartford was cutting corners to produce as many pistols as possible.
Collectors have since coined the term "Black Army" to denote the last of the M1911 pistols, with the finish phased in after serial number 312000. Between these two factors, the appearance of the M1911 changed from a lustrous blue to almost black.
In addition, Colt began using a gas fired oven blued process. As a result, the surface of the pistols would be left with a rougher appearance, unlike previous Colts. The Army wanted production increased, and requested that Colt eliminate the final polishing process prior to bluing the M1911. In May of 1918, to meet the demands of the US Army in the war to end all wars, Colt changed the way it finished the Model of 1911 pistol.
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