1918 Black Army Colt

[Skip Pickett]

Hey Fellas:

The old saying I've heard comes to mind...; "A blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again". Well, I'm a blind squirrel that got lucky yesterday.

I looked at this Colt a few days ago and thought for sure it had been reblued... and I walked. The next day I called the man back and took a chance - I bought it and found it is the famed "Black Army" Colt. The finish was so dark, I was just sure this fellow or his pop had gotten after it. But, apparently not.

The story I got from the fellow in his mid 70's was his Dad was a NY Law-dawg of sorts and took this weapon off of a fellow he arrested who was causing trouble. That was in the 1960s or so. He got it after his dad died and it was time for a new home. He found me by "word of mouth" rather than an ad, that figures!

Anyhow, I've tried to get good pics but my flash is tricky and I put oil on the thing yesterday after a good fondle.

Watta y'all think?

Skip

[Skip Pickett]

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[Skip Pickett]

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[sneakerd]

That'll feed you for a while, if necessary!!

[Johnny Peppers]

In Charles Clawson's book Colt .45 Service Pistols Models of 1911 and 1911A1 he describes the finish in this manner:

"In May 1918, the final surface preparation changed from a so-called fine finish to a less polished condition, which resulted in a very crude appearance and caused the color of the bluing to appear almost black. Consequently, this "black finish" as it is called by collectors, was gradually phased into production in mid-1918, beginning at about serial number 312000.

From Clawson's description of "black finish", the term morphed into Black Army. Almost half of Model 1911 production had the rough black finish. Additionally the finish was prone to flaking off, leaving bare patches of metal.

[Gary Cain]

Very nice pistol Skip, you did well!

[Skip Pickett]

Barrel Proof

Thanks for the input guys. By the way, what is that proof on the barrel?

It came in a cool un-dated holster too.

Skip

[Perry Floyd]

The amount of blueing left considering its age is amazing, wonderful condition Skip

[Johnny Peppers]

Thanks for the input guys. By the way, what is that proof on the barrel?

It came in a cool un-dated holster too.

Skip

It is a combination proof and provisional acceptance mark. The P is for proofing of the barrel, and the H is for Frank Hosmer who was the chief inspector for the government at Colt. The H is also found on the back of the slide just above the firing pin stop plate, and on the top of the receiver.

Earlier the H and P were separate, but beginning about serial number 420000 the H and P share a common leg between them.

[Skip Pickett]

Thanks

Thanks, I read the "HP" info somewhere, but this didn't look like an H & P... part of the legs are missing on this stamp.

Like a fellow collector told me one time... "They didn't proof mark this stuff for our benefit."

Skip

[afrikasandman]

That is a killer 45! I would love to stumple into one of these someday. Great score man. Matt

[ValhallaMilitaria]

My dream gun....once I win the lottery.

[Johnny Peppers]

The serial number and ordnance acceptance stamp were applied after the pistol was finished. On this one it left halos around the stamps where the blue flaked off.

[pdawg1911]

In Charles Clawson's book Colt .45 Service Pistols Models of 1911 and 1911A1 he describes the finish in this manner:

"In May 1918, the final surface preparation changed from a so-called fine finish to a less polished condition, which resulted in a very crude appearance and caused the color of the bluing to appear almost black. Consequently, this "black finish" as it is called by collectors, was gradually phased into production in mid-1918, beginning at about serial number 312000.

From Clawson's description of "black finish", the term morphed into Black Army. Almost half of Model 1911 production had the rough black finish. Additionally the finish was prone to flaking off, leaving bare patches of metal.

As Johnny points out, Black Army is much like the marketing of Black Widows of Lugers - Black Army's are actually not that rare compared to other military 1911's, in fact they are the most common. Having said that, this is a very nice example and I would be proud to have it residing in my safe. 1911's in high condition are always desirable. Congrats !

Regards,
Pat

[Johnny Peppers]

Had intended to show a full shot of the black finish Model 1911 that I showed the closeups of earlier. The heavier the coating of oil, the blacker they appear.