However, many more numbers were intentionally obliterated by those who illegally possessed a stolen pistol. Serial numbers were sometimes obliterated while a pistol was being refurbished, as some numbers were lightly struck to begin with. Foreign troops would have no reason to obliterate a serial number.

Products Tests from M1911.Most pistols that are legitimately marked with an 'X' prefix serial number were simply stolen, rather than captured by foreign troops.

The M1911 in Law Enforcement & Military.

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1911 Pistols manufactured for foreign Governments either in US or outside US.

Commercial Colt Government Model, Ace, SM Ace, Super.

US Military Issue M1911 and M1911A1 Pistols.More than one of the above (questions pertaining to more than one brands).Your Opinion about M1911.ORG and its sites.Questions and Suggestions about M1911.ORG sites.Industry Announcements and Press Releases.Quick Navigation More than one of the above (questions pertaining to more than one brands) Top slides go, but it is still something of a rarity to find one in original condition, without alterations or refinish. Colt made more slides in 1918 than the rest of total M1911 production combined, so the slide is relatively common, as Colt G.I.

Because the rampant colt is in the middle of the left side, we know the slide is no older than 1918 prior to that, the colt was at the left-rear. When the gun was updated to M1911A1 standard in the '20s, that marking was removed, and replaced by a marking on the frame.

Various details give clues to the slide's origins and age. If the slide is in its original finish, it may be worth as much as entire gun. It has no collectibility as a complete gun. You have one of those parts guns Colt military slide, match barrel, and probably a bunch of military and/or commercial small parts. So, Essex made a copy - the first of the 'Colt clone' makers - so that people could build complete pistols.

At that time, there were literally tons of surplus military 1911 parts on the market, except for frames. Essex has been around, on the commercial market, since the 1960s.

Colt 1911 serial numbers location