Army .45 ACP history?

hickok45

New member
I just purchased a pretty cool .45 Government Model. I mean a REAL Government Model, in that it was Army Issue. The fellow I purchased it from said that he got it from a fellow who carried it in the Pacific Theatre (WWII) as a mine sweeper and brought it back with him.

The question is, is anybody aware of a web site where I can research the serial number, at least to the point where I can narrow it down to the year it was manufactured and shipped? The fellow said 1942 or 1943.

I know I can get the expensive letter from Colt. At least I assume they do this for army contract guns, but I'd really just like to get the exact year of manufacture for now. Surely there's a site where I can find this, though I haven't been able to locate one. Here's the serial number in case someone has a wonderful reference you'd access for me:

It's a 1911A1 with serial # 894878

Hope someone can help me.
Thanks,
Greg

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"Happiness is a warm gun" John Lennon 1966
 
G. Glock,

Right here on TFL, Harley Nolden's Institute for Firearms Research can likely provide the information you'd like.
 
G. Glock, your serial number indicates a 1943 year of manufacture. Both Colt & Ithaca shared serial numbers in this range. For an Ithaca version the left side of the slide will be marked, "ITHACA GUN CO.,INC./ITHACA, N.Y.". Otherwise it will be of Colt manufacture. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

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After today, its all historical
 
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