Springfield M1911 Serial Numbers
Scott Gahimer furnishes serial number and shipping information for M1911, M1911A1, Colt Government Model pistols.
The Colt pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, thus gaining its designation, M1911 (Model of 1911). It was adopted by the Navy and Marine Corps in 1913. Originally manufactured only by Colt, demand for the firearm in World War I saw the expansion of manufacture to the government-owned Springfield Armory.
Battlefield experience in the First World War led to some more small external changes, completed in 1924. The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1. Changes to the original design were minor and consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, a longer grip safety spur (to prevent hammer bite), a wider front sight, a shorter spur on the hammer, and simplified grip checkering by eliminating the 'Double Diamond' reliefs.
Those unfamiliar with the design are often unable to tell the difference between the two versions at a glance. No significant internal changes were made, and parts remained interchangeable between the two.Al bayan by javed ghamidi pdf.
- The twenty reference M1911s were not serial numbered by Colt and were marked (and finished) with serial numbers 186 by the Springfield Armory on October 8, 1915. These unique M1911 Colt/Springfield pistols are described on pages 187 and 188 of 'U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS 1894-1920' by Edward S. Meadows and on page 102 of 'COLT.
- The left side of the slide is simply marked 'MODEL 1911-A1' in plain block letters, and the right side is marked 'SPRINGFIELD ARMORY' in identical fashion. The frame of course has the maker's name and address, along with a serial number starting with 'WW'.
- Duplicate Serial Numbers: Colt manufactured 60,000 pistols in the Ithaca serial number range (804), 41,696 in the Remington Rand serial number range (900), and 4,171 in the US&S serial number range (10896). Ithaca and Remington Rands where not manufactured or shipped in numerical order.
- Springfield Armory, Inc. Of Geneseo, IL bears no relation to the original government-owned facility of the same name. The original Springfield Armory had origins. Military Versions from 1912 to 1945. Manufacturer/Serial Number/Date Made. Beginning of M1911.
Blackbeard
Administrator
Springfield 1911 Serial Number Location
IMBEL forgings located in Brazil stamp a frame that has more than 50% worth of the work done in Brazil with the a prefix designation of 'N'. This is often confusing as the GI models are also made in Brazil and the a prefix of 'WW'. Even the mil-spec models produced by Springfield Armory can come with either a 'N' or 'NM' designation but more commonly found is the 'N'.
Springfield Armory's Loaded models can come with either the 'NM' or the 'N' designation. It's important to note that the 'N' prefix are imported completed with the exception of the sight, and beavertail grip safety cuts. The finishing touches are actually completed at their main plant in Illinois. The difference with the 'NM' models have majority of internal cuts done, but the rail cuts are performed in the US. The final machining is performed by CNC again, in Illinois.
Here is a quote from an email exchange with Deb from the Springfield Armory Custom Shop
Deb, Custom Shop Coordinator
Springfield Custom
Springfield Inc.
If you are looking for a Springfield Armory piece made from the Illinois factory look for a serial number consisting of the following:
LW
EMP
TGO-2
TGO-3
Springfield Armory Serial Number Lookup
If it's a true Springfield Armory Custom Shop piece it will have this in the serial number:Colt Model 1911 Serial Numbers
CRGFBI
DEA
TGO-1
So many of you will simply ask, is the build quality any different? I personally own the NM models, compared to the N model I thought the slide and frame work better together.
I hope this helps you identify your Springfield Armory pieces. Like many of you, I'm a fan of this brand, despite their recent run ins with politics and foot insertions.