SamColtFan CollectionColt Model 1911A1 Serial Number 713632 1938
Contract - This is one of 10 M1911A1 U.S. ARMY pistols issued to the the
U.S. Navy submarine USS Sailfish SS-192. All 10 pistols
were manufactured by Colt in 1938.
This pistol
was shipped on July 24, 1940 to the USS Sailfish (formerly
commissioned as the USS Squalus), according to the records
of the U.S. Ordnance Dept. as found in the US Archives
Records 74, Washington, D.C.
Springfield Research Service letter
confirming historical Ordnance Department issue information
for Colt M1911A1 serial number 713632. Interesting to
note that the date this research letter was written is 77
years to the day of when the pistol was issued to the USS
Sailfish.
USS Sailfish (SS-192), off the Mare
Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, 13 April 1943
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Sailfish_(SS-192)
The USS Squalus sank during a
shakedown cruise on May 23, 1939. The USS Sculpin aided the
rescue ship Falcon to rescue 33 men from the Squalus which
was at a depth of about 240 feet. 26 men drowned in the
flooded aft section of the Squalus. The rescue effort
captivated the attention of the entire nation. On February
9, 1940, after being raised to the surface and refurbished,
the USS Squalus SS 192 was renamed USS Sailfish SS 192.
 Pistol is "P"
proofed on top of the slide in front of the rear sight and
above the magazine catch.
Close-up of left side slide marking.
Note the "H" inspector's initial of Frederick
W. Hauff on the left side to the right of the magazine
catch. This was applied upon final ordnance inspection.
"P" proof on top of the slide forward of the rear sight
matches "P" proof on left side of frame behind finger
cut.
 Slide has a matching serial number,
713632.
Ghost image of serial number in reverse is present on firing
pin stop.
Rear view of slide showing "U" notch rear sight.
Rear view of frame showing hammer, grip safety and checkered
arched mainspring housing.
Colt "VP" Verified Proof mark on upper left flat of
the trigger guard.
All pistols in this 1938 contract beginning with serial
number 712350 were roll marked with "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY" designation. The "MODEL
OF 1911 U.S. ARMY" was eliminated from the right side of
the slide.
Close-up of left rear of slide, thumb safety and hammer.
Colt M1911A1 sn 713632 disassembled.
Colt 1911A1 1938 Army serial number 713632 - Beginning at
approximately serial number 712350, provisional inspection
was indicated by the initials of the inspector stamped on
top of the receiver near the disconnector hole, typically
within an oval. The identity of the initials (which appear
as H.C.I.) are possibly for Major Herbert O'Leary.
Barrel is marked COLT 45 AUTO with "P" on upper left
lug.
Small "G" is stamped on underside of barrel forward
of barrel link. |
