Colt M1911A1 Navy sn 7110xx
1937 Production, 2nd Variation
Presented is Colt Navy M1911A1 1937 pistol serial no. 7110xx.
The 1937's are also referred to as "Transition Models", since they,
like the 1924 pistols, display "Model of 1911 U.S. Army" on the
slide despite a preponderance of 1911A1 features. Military branches
did not place orders for M1911A1's from 1925 to 1936 which explains
the 11 year hiatus where no service 1911A1's were introduced (ref.
Clawson).
This example has P proofs on both receiver and slide, signifying
the second 1937 variation (earlier 1937's up to about 711001 have no
such P proofing). Both Colt's verified proof (VP) mark on the left
trigger guard and the practice of stamping a matched serial no. on
the slide began during this production period at 710001. Also of
note is the absence of inspector's cartouche where usually seen
near the slide release. While all other military 1911A1 barrels
were blued in entirety, some of the 1937 pistols display the unique
characteristic of having in-the-white outer barrel chamber surface
(as seen through the ejection port) with the remainder of the barrel
being blued. A P proof is present on left barrel lug and Colt 45 Auto
is stamped just above it. G for Government order is stamped underside.
7110xx was one of 600 pistols shipped to Springfield Armory in
May of 1937. Most 1937 pistols are known to be in rough condition.
The original brushed blue finish shows significant wear in this example.
Pistols 710001-711605 were issued to both Army and Navy departments;
711606-712349 were exclusively Navy-issue.
The 1937 military contract Colts are highly treasured as they are among
the rarest of the blued M1911A1's, with rarity and value rank approaching
that of the Singer.
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