Hi guys, -- I just picked up a wartime 1911A1! I know there are a lot of experts here, and I could really use some SIGforum wisdom.

It has the Colt factory letter showing it was produced and shipped in 1943. Somebody thought it was a 1911 slide that would have found it's way onto the 1911A1 frame during a visit to an arsenal. But upon disassembly, the rear of the slide under the firing pin stop has a matching serial number to the side of the receiver. The frame also has the heat treat discoloration on the muzzle end. While the slide might have been re-stamped to match the slide in the arsenal, the wear seems to indicate that it rode along with the frame for many decades.

Is this actually a proper 1911A1 slide, and someone was just mistaken?

I dunno, but my first thought is nice snag either way! Congrats!

One of the differences between the 1911 and 1911A1 is that the 1911 has a narrower front sight (p. 7, TM9-2200, 1954).

The Model 1911 front sights were tapered, from .058” at the base, to ~ .038” at the top. The A1 models had a uniform thickness of .080”.

Thank you!

Tag is wrong, that is a correct 1943 slide.

http://www.coltautos.com/images/1911A1-872832c-16.jpg

Thanks Jim!