Coltautos.com Gun of the Month - August 2007
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Colt Model of 1911 U.S. ARMY Serial Number 2425 (circa. 1912) This pistol features the second type of finish -- known as "fine finish" or "dull finish" (which changed at serial number 2400) when the early fire blued small parts were finished to match the finish applied to the slide and frame. Serial number 2425 was assembled on April 24, 1912.
A notation in the Colt production ledger indicates that "all pistols after serial number 2400 are dull finish." This pistol was one of 350 shipped April 25, 1912 in the seventh shipment to Springfield Armory. Since numbers 501 - 1000 and 1501 - 2000 went to the Navy, this is the 1425th pistol shipped to the Army.
Left side. This example bears the ordnance mark W.G.P., for Major Walter G. Penfield, in the form of a monogram stamped on the left side of the frame above the magazine release. Penfield inspected these pistols from January 2, 1911 - September 30, 1914. Serial numbers of Model 1911 pistols inspected 1 - 101500. "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking rolled onto left side of frame.
This Model 1911 still retains the earliest style (Type I - concave without slot) magazine catch lock. Serial number 2425 is on the right forward flat of the frame. On the earliest examples, the serial number was located on the forward right side of the frame.
Horizontal serifed "H" on rear of slide above firing pin stop. Barrel should also have this mark (horizontal serifed "H") on the rear of the hood.
Convex mainspring housing pin.
Convex mainspring housing pin.
Left side close-up. Colt logo in a circle on the left side of the slide behind serrations until January 1913, until approximately serial number 20000. Early style hammer and thumb safety.
Front of slide. |
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