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Colt 1911 slide assembly

CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
Is there a way to determine the era of a Colt 1911 slide by the markings? On the left it has a two line patent:
PATENTED APR 20 1897 SEPT 9 1902
DEC 19 1905 FEB 14 1911 AUG 19 1913

On the right hand slide it has :
MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY

Thanks
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Comments

  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You bet there has been much written about colt slide markings. If your slide has Patent date of 1913 then it is later then 1913 "DUD" but the colt trademark PRANCING pony was moved from the rear of the gripping grooves to the center of the writing about may of 1918 serial range 275000-290000 if the prancing pony on the back area early slides this was enclosed in a circle until last part of 1913 then the circle was left off until it was moved to the middle of slide.
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  • USN_AirdaleUSN_Airdale Member Posts: 2,987 ✭
    edited November -1
    Perry, do you have any info on "U.S.NAVY" marked slides ?
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello a total of 15037 pistols marked on the left side of slide "model of 1911 u.s. navy" shipped between March 9 1912 and April 1915 there were many other 1911's shipped to the navy but those are the only marked on the slide hope this helps "PRAISE THE HARD-BALL GUN"
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The pony on my slide is in the middle of the writing, between the patent lines and the Colt manufacturing info. Could this be as late as the 40's?
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes it is more then likely a 1940's vintage slide . When you originally asked the question I assumed the right side had MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY most likely "after your last post " this is a slide from a 1911 A1 WW II vintage one thing you might do is describe the finish high polish /matt finish / black/ parkerized/ Also if you take the firing pin retainer out PUSH IN PIN WITH pointed item and slide retainer down there MAY be a serial number behind this retainer stamped in the slide around the firing pin hole.Cheers Karl
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Kark, is there any collector interest in these slides? It has been refinished, polished blue, complete with firing pin, extractor, barrel and sights.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello if refinished most likely very big negative on any collector value.For someone that wants to build a shooter 1911A1 it will still be of some value. I would say $75.00 + or -. at least it was not a 90 year old collector item when it was refinished.Cheers Karl
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