OLD COLT: WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR OLD COLT GUNS.

COLT M1911A1 45ACP SN:862378 MFG:1943 - Commercial/Military

  • Caliber: 45ACP
  • Finish: Parkerized
  • Inspector: GHD
  • Serial Number: 862378
  • Shipment Type: Military
  • Shipped To: Springfield Armory
  • Year: 1943

This Colt M1911A1 was shipped January of 1943 to the Springfield Armory. 

Colt temporarily suspended the production of commercial "Government Model" pistols in 1942 ending at serial number C215083.  Commercial production did not resume gain until October 1946, recommencing at serial number C220001.

Beginning in October of 1942, the need for pistols prompted Colt to transfer 6,757 unsold commercial Government Model automatic pistols to their existing military contract.  The "Government Model" stamp on the receiver was crudely hammered flat with a peen and restamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY M1911A1 U.S. ARMY".  The Commercial serial numbers were also peened flat including those underneath the firing pin stop plate.  These pistols were then re-numbered with the military contract serial number range and then parkerized.  

The inspector stamp of G.H.D. for Brigadier General Guy H. Drewry.  B.G. Guy Drewry was the Army Inspector of Ordnance at the Springfield Ordnance District  from June 17th, 1942 to July 15th 1945.