Question About A "S70" Colt Government Model 1911

nunn

I recently ran across this interesting old Colt .45 Government Model.

The serial number is S70219XX.

The "S70" part appears to be of a slightly different typeface than the rest of the serial number.

I thought maybe it is an early 70-Series, but it is not rollmarked as such on the slide. Also, it has a solid barrel bushing, and the barrel is not contoured to work with a collet bushing.

The 70-Series MKIV pistols I have seen have a "70G" or "G70" at the beginning or end of the serial number. I find nothing about a serial with a "S70" at the beginning.

I don't find this serial number on the Colt site or at Proofhouse.

Also, the pistol has the brown plastic "Coltwood" grip panels, checkered, without a rampant Colt marking.

So, what do you think?

1911a1-fan

it is their return of the series 70 models, or you might say a reproduction

nunn

It's not a new pistol at all.

It's not a Series 70 MKIV.

It's not a recent repro of the Series 70.

It's been stored for 30 years.

My question is mainly about the serial number and where I might be able to look it up.

nunn

No mention of a "70S" serial number that I can find:

During 1970 the change to the new series ?70? begins and serial numbers changed also.
S/N 70G01001 to 70G05550 ? 1970 ? 4550
S/N 70G05551 to 70G18000 ? 1971 ? 12,450
S/N 70G18001 to 70G34400 ? 1972 ? 16,400
S/N 70G34401 to 70G43000 ? 1973 ? 8600
S/N 70G43001 to 70G73000 ? 1974 ? 30,000
S/N 70G73001 to 70G88900 ? 1975 ? 15,900
S/N 70G88901 to 70G99999 ? 1976 ? 11,099
During 1976 a range change of serial number begins.
S/N 01001G70 to 13900G70 ? 1976 ? 12,900
S/N 13901G70 to 45199G70 ? 1977 ? 31,299
S/N 45200G70 to 89185G70 ? 1978 ? 43,986
S/N 89186G70 to 99999G70 ? 1979 ? 10,813
During 1979 a range change of serial numbers begins on March 20, 1979.
S/N 01000B70 to 30008B70 ? 1979 ? 29,008
S/N 30009B70 to 72989B70 ? 1980 ? 42,981
S/N 72990B70 to 99999B70 ? 1981 ? 27,009
During 1981 a range change of serial numbers begins on Oct. 17, 1981.
S/N 70B00001 to 70B11246 ? 1981 ? 11,246

1911a1-fan

series 70 reproduction , first 400 had sn/s70, anything after series 80 was introduced is considered a reproduction


http://www.coolgunsite.com/comm_pistols/colt70_1.htm

diver-rig

Call colt on Monday. They can tell you what year it was made from the serial number.