R. DiFlorio Collection
Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Serial Number 860103 - One of 6,575 unsold
commercial Government Model pistols transferred by Colt to
their existing Military contract (No. W-478-ORD-1528). The
GOVERNMENT MODEL inscription on the frame was removed
and was restamped UNITED STATES PROPERTY in its place
and M1911A1 U.S. ARMY in front of the pin for the
takedown lever. The commercial serial numbers were removed
and they were renumbered in the military serial number range
beginning with number 860003. Then the guns were parkerized.
Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Serial Number 860103
-Factory letter documents this pistol as being sold to the
United States Government, shipped to Commanding General,
Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts on December 4,
1942. It was one of 1,800 guns in shipment and was
processed on Colt Factory Order number 1382.
This pistol was manufactured with the
Swartz Safety (which was a firing pin block safety added
to Government Model pistols around 1938) but the internals
have been removed upon conversion to the military contract.
This pistol also has the letter S (the commercial
sale mark) stamped inside the slide and frame.
There is a P proof on the top of the
slide, in front of the rear sight and alto a P on the
left side of the frame near the magazine release button.
The barrel in this gun is a commercial barrel marked COLT
.45 AUTO on the left side, with the commercial sale mark
S in front of the barrel lug on the underside of the
chamber. There is no P on the left lug.
Gun has Type 2 Coltwood plastic grips
with strengthening ribs, mold numbers and large reinforcing
rings around screw holes.
Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Serial Number 860103 (Left
Side) - "G.H.D." inspected and "P" proofed on left side
of the frame.
 Commercial slide marking on right side of
slide.
Slide is numbered to the frame.
G.H.D. - Inspected by Ordnance Inspector Brig.
General Guy H. Drewry, Springfield Ordnance District,
Army Inspector of Ordnance June 17, 1942 - July 15,
1945, 1911A1 Pistols serial numbers 845000 - 2360600
(approx.) (Some in the 860003 - 860500 rage are marked W.B.)
Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Serial Number 860103 -
ordnance wheel located behind the right grip. Visible
are the rough machining marks which removed the "GOVERNMENT
MODEL" and commercial serial number prior to renumbering the
gun in the military serial number range.
Large "G" barrel.
Front grip strap.
Commercial Government Model magazine that's been sandblasted
ad then blued. |
