GI 1911 bbl.only mark S. What is it?

tommy45autos

May 25, 2005 17:51

Folks: I have a blued bbl. which was removed from a Colt 1911 mfg. 1918.The only marking is an S underside of bbl, in front of bbl link.Can anybody give me the maker? Thankyou,Tommy

Don't know how I got over the hill without ever getting to the top!

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  nmyers

  May 25, 2005 18:21

  Sounds like the original unmarked Colt barrel for your gun; the S is the inspection mark of W.E. Strong.
  
  Neal

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  Xracer

  May 26, 2005 05:32

  An "S" on the barrel (not on the lug) could also indicate that this was an early WWII replacement barrel that was diverted from Commercial sales to the Military pistols.
  
  * "S" stamping forward of the lugs 711,000 to 935,000 (approximately): Most or all of the Commercial to Military conversion pistols have the "S" marked barrel as they were originally Commercial pistols and would have had "S" for "Sales" marked barrels. Colts apparently used most of its remaining commercial parts in pistols following the C to M conversions, as Commercial slides (With commercial markings) can be seen in pistols up through the Canadian group. The S marked Colt barrels will sometimes exhibit an almost fire blue color on the chamber area. Apparently these barrels had already had the chamber area polished out to the white, and then were heat blued to meet military requirements.
  
  * See: http://coolgunsite.com/pistols/barrels.htm

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  1911a1-fan

  May 26, 2005 10:20

  (S) can also be for Springfield, if it where military issue it was often replaced with what ever they had
  
  Colt marked on the left lug, Springfield on the right,Usually (sp)but not a golden rule

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  tommy45autos

  May 26, 2005 16:20

  Thanks Guys:The chamber area is in the white with a definite seperation line between blue and not blued left side.My books were a little vague about this bbl.Tommy

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