help with 1911 identification

[sb7979]

i'm trying to figure out out when a friend's 1911 was made. the serial number is 287XXX. the list i looked at said that this number should have been made in 1918 as a military gun (because all commercial guns had a "c" in the number?). just wondering if someone could verify this, because the owner seems to question the fact that it is that old, and a gun made for the military. thanks.

scott

 

[Hard Ball]

Two things would make it easier to identify:

First is in a 1911 or a 1911A1
Second, who was the manufacturer, Colt or some other company?

 

[James K]

If it is a Colt frame, the info you have is correct, made in 1918, and it would be a Model 1911 (not Model 1911A1). A Colt GI frame should have the U.S. Property marking and the number should be preceded by "No" with a line under the "o". There have been commercially made frames, but they should have the marking of the company that made them, like Essex.

At that time, the full model marking and Colt patent markings were on the slide. The Model mark was later moved to the frame.

Jim