The short answer is that military issued Colt 1911A1 "serial numbers were stamped under the firing pin stop to match the receiver number----the first use of this practice on military pistols. Slides were numbered from 710001 to 1140000-1145000". Reference Charles Clawson Collectors Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols. Third edition, 2003, page 38.
The practice was discontinued in late 1943.

 

Thanks for the response. Not sure what I have then. All the marking are period except no serial number under the firing stop plate.Any thoughts as to what it might be? I wish I knew how to post some photos so you can see what I'm referring to. If you send me your email address I'll send you the photos. Maybe you would be able to determine what I have.
Thanks for your thoughts and help.

 

first thought is replacement slide. Pics would help.

 

It is now believed by most collectors that the practice stopped at around # 1139000. I don't believe anyone has encountered a numbered slide beyond the 1138000 serial range. If the pistol you have is between 710001 and ~1138000 and it doesn't have a numbered slide then it was replaced with either a 1944-45 or a post-war one.

 

Define "all markings are period"? What serial number range is it in? If the frame's serial number is after ~1,2xx,xxx, it's slide won't have a serial number stamped under the firing pin stop. Without knowing what markings you're referring to or what the serial number range is, there's no way of knowing what the gun should or shouldn't be marked with.

It also only applies to martial Colts, not commercial Colts.

The slide markings did not appreciably change from when the M1911A1 was typed, other than the transitional guns. A slide made in 1945 would be identical to one made in 1941, save the serial number stamped under the slide stop...so slide markings themselves would not be a good indicator of if it should be serialed or not.

 

The slide markings did not appreciably change from when the M1911A1 was typed, other than the transitional guns. A slide made in 1945 would be identical to one made in 1941, save the serial number stamped under the slide stop...so slide markings themselves would not be a good indicator of if it should be serialed or not.

Actually, between 1941 and 1945 not only did the sights change, but the slide rollmark fonts and shape of the rampant colt changed several times. It's subtle enough that without comparison pics it's hard to even notice.

 

The serial numbering of the slide ceased after the 1,000,000 serial number example was produced. I have a 1944 Colt 1911A1 in the 1.63M serial number range and the number is on the frame only.

 

Thanks for the info Last Frontier. We've been through Sterling many times going back and forth from Anchorage to visit friends and family in Kenai and Soldotna. Also enjoyed time spent at Land's End and Katchemak Bay and surrounding communities. We have some fond memories of the area. We lived in Juneau for 10 years back in the '70's and '80's. Love Alaska!

 

Your slide should have a serial number on it going by the number you posted, if it doesn't then the slide has been replaced....more than likely.

Sent from my SM-A716V using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for the info Infidel, it appears that everything is leaning towards This being a replacement slide. Now to find the pedigree of this slide. That's the tough nut to crack!

 

Yes, Sometime in August to October of 1944. In October, they transitioned to the serrated MSH from the checkered MSH. My pistol appears to be 100% original finish and it has the serrated MSH. Like variances in M1 Carbine parts during transition periods, I expect the frame may have been produced in August of 1944 but the final pistol assembled and shipped with the newer style MSH.

 

What an amazing couple of weeks for both of us. We both did well with our new acquisitions. I have been in contact with Filson (he has an amazing research mind) and he informs me that my slide is a 1944 slide that has been refinished (parkerized), and that the slide was heat treated along the first half as evidenced by a slight discoloration line. Additionally, the front sight is elongated at the back end and serrated which only occurred if he slide was manufactured after mid-1944. I'll pass this information along to spread the knowledge.
By the way, you indicated you bought your Colt M1911A1 locally. How local? Anchorage??
Have a great week,
DVC
Fred

 

How about some pictures ? Does the slide have a circular heat treat line around the slide stop lockback notch , that will also help date it? I assume you looked and there is no serial number behind the firing pin stop ?

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How about some pictures ? Does the slide have a circular heat treat line around the slide stop lockback notch , that will also help date it? I assume you looked and there is no serial number behind the firing pin stop ?

Sent from my SM-A716V using Tapatalk

If you still want to see some pictures
then give me your email address (as long as it's not a Yahoo or AOL address) and I'll send some pics of the handgun.

 

here are photos of the pistol .

 

Your slide has a "faceless" rampant colt identical to the one on my December '43 Colt that doesn't have a numbered slide. So I would say your slide is late '43 to early '44. The sights are correct for that particular slide. Your pistol also has Keyes grips, a stamped trigger and what appears to be a serrated slide stop, The frame was originally blued. Therefore your pistol is obviously a refinished mixmaster, but at least it's mostly all Colt.