Government Arsenal
Rebuilds
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.
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