M1911 Serial Number Ranges and Arsenal Markings

Government Arsenal Rebuilds

From the mid 1920s to the mid 1950s thousands of 1911s and 1911A1s where refurbished at U.S. Arsenals and Service depots. These refurbishes could be minor inspections to major overhauls. Pistols that were refurbished at Government arsenals will usually be marked on the frame/receiver with the arsenals initials. Arsenal overhaul and inspection stamps: AA = Augusta Arsenal AN/ANAD = Anniston Army Depot (Anniston, Alabama) observed with a date stamp following it (MM YY) in 1975 and 1977 BA = Benecia Arsenal MR = Mt Rainer Ordnance Depot OG = Ogden Arsenal RA = Raritan Arsenal RIA = Rock Island Arsenal RRA = Red River Arsenal SA = Springfield Arsenal SAA = San Antonio Arsenal EB: Elmer Bjerke was promoted on January 6th, 1947 to Forman of small arms inspection at Rock Island Arsenal. He was responsible for the final inspection of new and overhauled small arms. He served in that capacity until 1958. All small arms inspected under his supervision bear the markings "RIA" for Rock Island Arsenal and "EB" for Elmer Bjerke. FK: Frank Krack was Assistant Foreman of the Inspection Division at Rock Island Arsenal from September 17, 1941 until he retired on July 19th, 1946. During that period all small arms inspected under his supervision would be stamped with his initials "FK" as well as those of the Rock Island Arsenal "RIA". See images in table below: Image 1 - A rebuilt Colt 1919 AA pistol - Notice all components other than finish and stocks are still 1911 configuration. Long trigger, short grip safety, wide hammer. Slide was replaced with a Ithaca manufactured one. Image 2 - Here is a rebuilt 1917 Colt. The Arsenal Replaced the slide with a Savage slide. Notice the AA stamp. Image 3 - 1943 Ithaca stamped RIA and FK. "FK" for Frank Krack. Image 4 - X marked rework. FNC Inspected. These pistols were stolen and the pistols where rebuilt and the new numbers applied by the various arsenals. SN X2,694,040 Image 5 & 6 -Most of the 4 digit examples were reworked at Springfield Armory but this one is marked RIA (Rock Island Arsenal) and may have been reworked twice. Note the unusual flaming bomb stamps. X2447 Image 7 & 8 - Example of a pistol with RIA assigned replacement serial numbers Image 9 - Example of a Springfield Arsenal rework. 1943 Remington Rand Image 10 - Mt Rainer Ordnance Depot marked Remington Rand. All original 1945 configuration.

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View page on this gun Image 10 Springfield Arsenal Suspended Serial Number Range: (S/N 128617-133186) (Click on image) At the direction of the Ordnance Department, Springfield Armory suspended production of 1911 pistols on April 15 1917 to achieve maximum production of Model 1903 rifles. The final pistol produced at Springfield was serial 127978, (NRA marked Springfield serial #127906 is displayed in the pistol gallery.) However unassembled receivers (some or all with incomplete markings) between serial 127979 and 128616 were transferred to Colts along with other surplus components. The un-used numbers (serial #128617 to serial #133186) of Springfield Armory's final block of assigned serial numbers (#125567 to #133186) were apparently assigned to Colts Manufacturing Company. Based on observed pistols, all of these serial numbers appear to have been applied to frames at Colts; yet much remains unknown regarding the fate of these frames and serials. The "Springfield Suspended Serial Number Range" pistols are considered by some to be reworks because they are believed to have been shipped as frames only. Other observers such as Charles Clawson, feel that these pistols may have been completed and shipped as whole pistols, (page 24, "Collectors Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols.") "This suggests that they may have been produced as spare parts, but most pistols appear to be factory assembled pistols." Yet there appears to be no evidence that these pistols were shipped as assembled pistols and much compelling evidence to the contrary: The serial numbers are not listed in Colts production or shipping legers, the normal "Ordnance Final Acceptance mark" as well as the normal "Colts assemblers mark" is consistently missing on all observed examples. These three items are what constitutes the record of a factory assembled pistol. Consistently lacking all three is extremely compelling evidence that the group of serials left Colts as "Parts Only." Many details are unknown and will probably continue to remain unknown about these frames and about the completed pistols that they became. The frames have been found with nearly any vintage (Post 1915) WWI slide on them. There appears to be no obvious pattern with respect to the slide except that most appear to be post 1915 manufacture. Springfield Armory as well as Remington UMC slides have been observed. What are they worth? If fully blued with original finish, they are worth more than a typical rework, but probably not as much as an original pistol. Yet these pistols are the central figures in one of the true Colts mysteries, and that may compel collectors to pay more, perhaps much more for an example. If not original finish, they will probably be considered just another rework, because condition is the main determining factor of "Value", and a refinished pistol has zero % original finish. The observed serial range seems to run over the range specified in the reference book "Collectors Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols, Models 1911 and 1911A1" by Charles Clawsons (128617 - 133186). Observations of a few of the RIA marked pistols: M1911A1s have been examined in the Colt 1108xxx range and a Ithaca with SN 1224794 that had the RIA, FK, and ordnance bomb marked (Ordnance Bomb is usually found under the serial number). These pistols appeared to be all original and had not been reworked. The consensus is that a group of 1911A1s went through RIA while in like new, and were so marked with nothing else being done to them. When and where are the arsenal marks applied? The arsenal rebuild mark is applied after finish. There should be raised metal and burnishing. The original factory applied marks (inspectors, assemblers, and manufacturers) should still be present. There have been counterfeits seen so make sure the frames check out and are not cheap commercials with none of the proper stamps. All the examples I have owned, viewed in person, and seen in the great books (like the Charles Clawson 1911 book) the arsenal mark is on the frame, usually above the trigger guard on the left or right side of the frame/receiver. Reference Charles Clawsons Colt .45 Service pistols.

I personally find the arsenal rebuilt guns to be a great collectible. When I find one that has been manufactured in the WWI timeframe and then rebuilt for participation in WW2, now that's a gun that probably has seen a lot of history unfold. Another reason I like rebuilds is that rebuilds are less expensive then the original production specimens. For example a 1918 Remington UMC 1911 in original condition could run you $3,000.00. The same gun rebuilt by a arsenal sells for about $1,000.00, yet its still original since it is as it was when used by the military. Return to ID page Email: M1911@CoolGunSite.com Rev 1.1d

Information

1911 .45 ACP Production Information

Military Versions from 1912 to 1945. Manufacturer/Serial Number/Date Made Beginning of M1911: 1) Colt: S/N 1 to 3190 = April 16, 1912 to May 31, 1912 2) Colt: S/N 3190 to 7501 = May 31, 1912 to Oct. 10, 1912

(S/N 3501 to 3799 were first U.S.M.C. pistols made by Colt delivered June 6, 1912.)

3) Colt: S/N 7501 to (approximately) 20,000 = Oct. 10, 1912 to Jan. 1913 4) Colt: S/N (approx.) 20,000 to 83,856 = Jan. 1913 to Aug. 19, 1913

S/N 38,001 to 43,900 Navy Model (USS New York) = March 9, 1912 to March 5, 1915 S/N 43,901 to 44,000 Navy Model (USS Texas) = March 9, 1912 to March 5, 1915 S/N 36,401 to 37,650 U.S.M.C. Model made by Colt = July 9, 1913

5) Colt: S/N 83,856 to 89,801 = Aug. 19, 1913 to July 20, 1914

(S/N 83,901 to 84,400 U.S.M.C. Model = May 12, 1914)

6) Colt: S/N 89,801 to 108,601 = July 20, 1914 to Feb. 8, 1915

(S/N 96,001 to 97,537 Navy Model (U.S. Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y.) = March 9, 1912 to March 5, 1915)

7) Colt: S/N 108,601 to 290,000 = Feb. 8, 1915 to May, 1918

(S/N 109,501 to 110,000 Navy Model, S/N 223,953 to 223,991 Navy Model, S/N 232,001 to 233,600 Navy Model) (S/N 151,187 to 151,986 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 185,801 to 186,201 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 209,587 to 210,386 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 215,387 to 217,386 U.S.M.C. Model)

8) Colt/Springfield: S/N 128,617 to 133,186 = 1916 to 1924 ( These models are very hard to properly identify)

9) Colt: S/N 290,000 to 450,000 = May, 1918 to Oct. 24, 1918 10) Colt: S/N 450,000 to 629,500 = Oct. 24, 1918 to April 10, 1919 11) Springfield Armory: S/N 72,571 to 133,186 = April 1914 to April, 1917 12) Remington-UMC: S/N 1 to 15,000 = Aug. 10, 1918 to May 24, 1919 13) Remington-UMC: S/N 15,000 to 21,676 = Aug. 10, 1918 to May 24, 1919 14) North American Arms: S/N 1 to 100 & S/Ns 111, 222, 333, 444, 555 = July 1, 1918 to Dec. 4, 1918. They are very rare and rank in value with Singer models. ( None of these were reported shipped to any branch of the military but about 100 regular models and about 5 presentation models were manufactured in Quebec, Canada by the North American Arms Company, Ltd.) 15) A. J. Savage Munitions Co. was issued a contract on July 20, 1918 and canceled on Dec. 4, 1918. Some parts were made but no complete pistols. It is unknown for sure if any slides were made and no frames were made. Beginning of M1911A1: 14) Colt ( Transition Models): S/N 700,000 to 710,000 = 1924 15) Colt: S/N 710,001 to 711,000 = Early 1937 16) Colt: S/N 711,001 to 712,350 = Mid to Late 1937 17) Colt: S/N 712,350 to 713,645 = 1938 18)Colt: S/N 713,646 to 717,281 = 1939

Begining in 1940, the slides muzzel end was hardened after the finish was applied but a color mismatch was suppose to be rejected. From 1942 to 1945 all 1911A1 pistols should show a slight to very noticed mismatch of coloring on the muzzle end of slide, and from 1943 the slide lock notch area should also show some discoloration from hardening after the pistols finish was applied.

19) Colt: S/N 717,282 to 721,977 = 1940 20) Colt: S/N 721,977 to 756,733 = 1941 21) Colt: S/N 756,734 to 857,000 = 1942 (S/Ns 856,405 to 916,404 were also duplicated by Ithaca but will have F.J.A. Ithaca inspection initials.) 22) Colt: S/N 857,000 to 1,609,529 = 1943 (S/Ns 856,405 to 916,404 were duplicated by Ithaca look for F.J.A. Ithaca inspection initials. S/Ns 1,041,405 to 1,096,404 were duplicated by Union Switch & Signal. Look for RCD US&S inspection initials.) 23) Colt: (Commercial/Military Model) S/N 857,000 to 1,609,529 = 1943 (approx. 6,575 Commercial models were converted to military production. Colt stop its commercial production at S/N C215,083)

24) Colt: S/N 1,609,529 to 1,743,846 = 1944 25) Colt: S/N 2,244,804 to 2,380,013 = 1945 26) Remington Rand: S/N 916,405 to 955,000 = 1943 27) Remington Rand: S/N 955,001 to 980,000 = 1943 28) Remington Rand: S/N 980,001 to 995,000 = 1943 29) Remington Rand: S/N 995,000 to 1,041,404 = 1943 30) Remington Rand: S/N 1,279,699 to 1,441,430 = 1943 31) Remington Rand: S/N 1,471,431 to 1,609,528 = 1943 32) Remington Rand: S/N 1,743,847 to 1,816,641 = 1944 33) Remington Rand: S/N 1,890,504 to 2,075,103 = 1944 34) Remington Rand: S/N 2,134,404 to 2,244,803 = 1945 35) Remington Rand: S/N 2,380,014 to 2,619,013 = 1945 36) Ithaca: S/N 856,405 to 900,000 = 1943 ( S/Ns 856,101 to 958,100 were duplicated by Colt, look for G.H.D. or W.B. Colt inspection initials.) 37) Ithaca: S/N 900,001 to 914,000 = 1943 38) Ithaca: S/N 914,000 to 916,404 = 1943 39) Ithaca: S/N 1,208,674 to 1,279,673 = 1943 40) Ithaca: S/N 1,441,431 to 1,471,430 = 1943 41) Ithaca: S/N 1,816,642 to 1,890,503 = 1944 42) Ithaca: S/N 2,075,104 to 2,134,403 = 1945 43) Ithaca: S/N 2,619,014 to 2,693,613 = 1945 44) Singer: S/N S800001 to S800500 = 1941 ( Use great care in evaluating these. They are very rare and valuable. This pistol is also counterfeited the most.) Slide markings are: S. MFG. CO. ELIZABETH,N.J., U.S.A. 45) Union Switch & Signal: S/N 1,041,405 to 1,060,000 = 1943 46) Union Switch & Signal: S/N 1,060,000 to 1,096,404 = 1943 (S/Ns 1,088,726 to 1,092,896 were duplicated by Colt. Look for G.H.D. or W.B. Colt inspection initials.) Special Versions:

1) Springfield Armory: U.S. ARMY NATIONAL MATCH = 1954 to 1967 (Very hard to identify. Early 1954 models looked like regular 1911A1 and later versions usually had adjustable sights.) 2) U.S. AIR FORCE MATCH = 1958 to 1970 ( Produced by U.S.A.F. Gunsmiths. Very hard to identify except should have AFPG stamped on frame. A M1911A1 similar to Army National Match.) 3) Colt ACE: Caliber = .22 Long Rifle S/N 1 to 10,935 = April 1931 to July 1941 (The last 190 or so were assembled from spare parts in 1947) Parts only partially interchangable with a .45 caliber M1911A1 pistol. 4) Colt Service Model ACE : Caliber .22 Long Rifle S/N SM 1 to SM 3,836 = Feb. 1936 to Jan. 1943 ( Between 1935 and Sept. 1945, 11,961 Colt Service Model ACE pistols were made and their parts were fully interchangable with the .45 caliber M1911A1. 5) Colt Service Model ACE : S/N SM 3846 to SM 13,803 = April 1945 to Sept. 1945 ( Between 1938 and Oct. 1946, a total of 2149 .22-.45 conversion units were made to convert .45 caliber pistols to .22 caliber. They were: S/N U1 to U2670. From 1938 to 1940, .45-.22 conversion units were made to convert Service Model ACE .22 caliber pistols to .45 ACP. They were: S/N U1 to U112.) Foreign Service Models: 1) Colt M1911 Canadian Contract: S/N C5400 to C16599 = Sept. to Nov., 1914 ( Only 5000 pistols in this serial number range were shipped to Canada.) Caliber .45 ACP 2) Colt M1911A1 Canadian Contract: S/N 930,000 to 936,000 = 1943 ( 1,515 military model pistols were shipped to Canada through the Lend-Leased Act from this serial number range.) Caliber .45 ACP 3) Colt M1911 British Contract: S/N W29117 to W97000 and S/N C29 to C74,200 = May 1912 to April 1919 (Approx. 17,500 pistols were shipped to England. Serial numbers that begin with a C were .45 ACP and serial numbers that begin with a W were .455 Webley calibers. 4) Colt M1911 British RAF Contract: S/N W91,100 to W110,696 = Jan. 22, 1918 to April 28, 1919 (Approx. 10,000 pistols were shipped to the Royal Air Force from this serial number range and were .455 Webley caliber.) 5) British M1911A1 WW II Lend-Lease: From all S/Ns of U.S. M1911A1 models = March 11, 1941 through the rest of WW II ( The U.S. furnished 39,592 pistols to Britain through the Lend-Lease Act.) 6) Colt M1911 Russian Contract: S/N C23000 to C89000 = Feb. 19, 1916 to Jan. 18, 1917 ( Russia purchased 51,000 M1911 .45 ACP pistols during WW I. from this serial number range. Russia purchased more M1911 pistols than any other country besides the U.S.) Regular commercial model Colt except has English Order mark in Russian on left side of frame. 7) Colt M1911 Norwegian: Colt S/N C18501 to C18850 and Norway S/N 1 to 5000 = June 1915 to WW II (400 Colt 1911s .45 caliber purchased and issued to Norwegian Navy. May 1917, 300 Colt 1911 .45ACP pistols purchased in 1915. In 1917, Norway obtained licence to manufacture its M1911 pistols. The first they made had COLT AUT PISTOL M/1912 on the slides and then at S/N 100 this changed to 11.25 m/m AUT. PISTOL M/1914 on the slides. 8) Colt M1911 Argentine: S/N C6201 to C11621 = 1914, S/N C20,001 to C21000 = 1916 S/N C86790 to C116000 = 1919 ( 321 shipped in 1914 marked on right side of slide with MARINA ARGENTINA. In 1915

another 1000 shipped within above S/N range. In 1919 another 400 M1911 Colts shipped in above S/N range. Imported into the U.S. in 1960 as surplus but very rare in any condition.) 9) Colt M1911A1 Argentine Modelo 1927: S/N 1 to 10,000 = July 28, 1927 to Feb. 16, 1928 ( Marked on slide with COLT CAL. 45 MOD. 1927 and S/Ns stamped on top of slide in Colts italic numbers.) SYST. COLT pistols made by Argintina under licence from Colt marked on right of slide with EJERCITO ARGENTINO / SIST. COLT CAL 11.25 mm. Model 1927. Other M1911A1 pistols made in Argintina at Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles, Rosario, Argintina S/N 10,001 to 112,000 10) Colt M1911 MEXICAN: After WW I, Mexico procured an unknown number of M1911 pistols made by Colt. These are rare because of Mexicos strict penalties for illegal possession of military arms (ON SPOT EXECUTION). Very few made it to U.S. and would have a C prefix serial numbers. May have EJERCITO MEXICANO on right side of slide.

Colt Commercial Production: Govt. Model: 1912 to 1981 Model 1911 Serial Numbers Date Number Made S/N C1 to C1899 1912 1899 S/N C1900 to C5399 1913 3500 S/N C5400 to C16599 1914 11,200 S/N C16600 to C27599 1915 11,000 S/N C27600 to C74999 1916 47,400 S/N C75000 to C98999 1917 24,000 S/N C99000 to C105999 1918 7000 S/N C106000 to C120999 1919 15,000 S/N C121000 to C126999 1920 6000 S/N C127000 to C128999 1921 2000 S/N C129000 to C129999 1922 1000 S/N C130000 to C133999 1923 4000 Some special military orders and military contractor orders were made.

The following pistols were shipped to Major Cyrus S. Radford, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, on Feb. 13, 1917. with a prefix of 1 to 25 added to serial numbers. S/Ns 1-C92505, 2-C92332, 3-C92227, 4-C91632, 5-C91739, 6-C91936, 7-C92359, 8-C91710, 9C92326, 10-C92290, 11-C92239, 12-C92335, 13-C92291, 14-C92250, 15-C92347, 16-C92244, 17C92343, 18-C92249, 19-C92156, 20-C92337, 21-C92358, 22-C92245, 24-C92243, 25-C92294 S/N C201069 shipped to Springfield Armory on Sept. 28, 1919 for prototype tests.

__________________________________________________________________ Model 1911A1 Serial Numbers Date Number Made

S/N C135000 to C139999 1924 5000 S/N C140000 to 144999 1925 5000 S/N C145000 to C150999 1926 6000 S/N C151000 to C151999 1927 1000 S/N C152000 to C154999 1928 3000 S/N C155000 to C155999 1929 1000 S/N C156000 to C158999 1930 3000 S/N C159000 to C160999 1931 2000 S/N C161000 to C164799 1932 3800 S/N C164800 to C174599 1933 9800 S/N C174600 to C177999 1934 3400 S/N C178000 to C179799 1935 1800 S/N C179800 to C183199 1936 3400 S/N C183200 to C188699 1937 5500 S/N C188700 to C189599 1938 900 S/N C189600 to C198899 1939 9300 S/N C198900 to C199299 1940 400 S/N C199300 to C208799 1941 9500 S/N C208800 to C215018 1942 6219

Production Stopped because of World War II. Commercial models converted to military use except for limited production of Service Model ACE with S/Ns around SM2715. .22 to .45 Conversion Units made from S/N U1400 to 1700. In 1943, commercial models used to fill military orders. A limited amount of Super 38 & Super Match 38 produced. .22 to .45 Conversion Units made S/N U1701 to S/N U1750. In 1944 no commercial peroduction of any kind recorded. S/N SM3725 to SM13803 Service Model ACE .22 made, some gaps in numbering produced in 1945. Commercial production resumed in 1946.

S/N C221001 to C222000 1946 1000 S/N C222001 to C231999 1947 9999 S/N C232000 to C238500 1948 6501 S/N C238501 to C240000 1949 1500 S/N C240001 to 247700C 1950 7700 S/N 247701C to 253179C 1951 5479 S/N 253180C to 259549C 1952 6370 S/N 259550C to 266349C 1953 6800 S/N 266350C to 270549C 1954 4200 S/N 270550C to 272549C 1955 2000 S/N 272550C to 276699C 1956 4150 S/N 276700C to 281999C 1957 5300 S/N 282000C to 283799C 1958 1800 S/N 283800C to 285799C 1959 2000 S/N 285800C to 287999C 1960 2200 S/N 288000C to 289849C 1961 1850 S/N 289850C to 291299C 1962 1450 S/N 291300C to 293799C 1963 2500 S/N 293800C to 295999C 1964 2200 S/N 296000C to 300299C 1965 4300 S/N 300300C to 308499C 1966 8200 S/N 308500C to 315599C 1967 7100 S/N 315600C to 324499C 1968 8900

S/N 324500C to 332649C 1969 8150 S/N 332650C to 336169C 1970 -3520 During 1970 the change to the new series 70 begins and serial numbers changed also. S/N 70G01001 to 70G05550 1970 4550 S/N 70G05551 to 70G18000 1971 12,450 S/N 70G18001 to 70G34400 1972 16,400 S/N 70G34401 to 70G43000 1973 8600 S/N 70G43001 to 70G73000 1974 30,000 S/N 70G73001 to 70G88900 1975 15,900 S/N 70G88901 to 70G99999 1976 11,099 During 1976 a range change of serial number begins. S/N 01001G70 to 13900G70 1976 12,900 S/N 13901G70 to 45199G70 1977 31,299 S/N 45200G70 to 89185G70 1978 43,986 S/N 89186G70 to 99999G70 1979 10,813 During 1979 a range change of serial numbers begins on March 20, 1979. S/N 01000B70 to 30008B70 1979 29,008 S/N 30009B70 to 72989B70 1980 42,981 S/N 72990B70 to 99999B70 1981 27,009 During 1981 a range change of serial numbers begins on Oct. 17, 1981. S/N 70B00001 to 70B11246 1981 11,246 Some special orders made for military or military contractors. These are as follows:

S/N C211458 Sept. 22, 1942 shipped to Scovill Manufacturing Co. Waterbury, Conn. S/Ns C212147, C212332, C212486, C212495 Sept. 29, 1942 shipped to Winchester Repeating Arms Co. S/Ns C213341, C213242, C213343, C213345 May 27, 1942 shipped to Remington Arms Co. Bridgeport, Conn. S/N C214360 Jan. 2, 1945 Shipped to U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. S/Ns C214752, C214753, C214754 April 3, 1942 Shipped to Winchester Repeating Arms Co. S/N C214833 Nov. 10, 1942 Shipped to Capt. A. H. Harris, Hartford Ord. District. S/N C213905 Oct. 8, 1942 Shipped to J. A. Lorch, Washington, D.C. S/N C214016 Oct. 9, 1942 Shipped to Dominion of Canada.