#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#
#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER#
#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS ARCHIVE#
#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS FULL#
#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS CODE#

A 1 is for a nickel or full blue finish, a 2 is for a nickel or blue case-hardened finish, a 3 is for a plain nickel finish, a 4 is for a Royal Blue case-hardened finish, and a 6 is for a nickel finish.

Finally, the fourth digit is the finish or stock of the weapon.

A 3 means 3 or 4 inches, a 4 means 4.75 or 5 inches, a 5 means 5.5 inches, a 7 means 7.5 inches, and a 1 means 12 inches.

The third digit is the caliber of the gun.

#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS CODE#

The second digit of the model code is the weapon caliber.

A 2 uses a frame from Colt Custom Shop while a 3 has a non-standard frame.

For the first digit, a 1 means your Colt is the first model with a basic frame.

The prefix tells you the type of frame, while the numbers indicate the weapon version, caliber, barrel length, and model variation. Having a good understanding of the code will help you differentiate similar models from each other.ДЄ Colt single action model usually has 1 character prefix and 4 numbers. ItвЂ™s worth the time and effort to check out the Colt model code as well since it contains information about the gunвЂ™s characteristics. That number style remained in production up until mid-1976 before the 70 was then moved to the last two digits of the code. Instead, everything else has a 70 as the first two digits.

#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#

But by the mid-1970s, the serial numbers stopped continuing from the numbers of the previous ones. Started in 1912, the M1911 Commercial and its A1 variant got normal serial numbers with a simple prefix and suffix.

For example, there is the issue of the 1970s Colt M1911вЂ™s commercial production. ThatвЂ™s why itвЂ™s difficult to understand them without a point of reference.Дesign changes can also change the look of the serial numbers. Technically speaking, Colt serial numbers tend to jump all over the place with no set pattern. If you want to know the exact age of the gun though, youвЂ™d have to find a reference table to crosscheck the characters with the manufacturing year. In other cases, the characters are simply used to show the year the item was manufactured. On the other hand, a capital C prefix or suffix is used to indicate that the model is for Commercial Use.

For example, SA is Single Action, NF is New Frontier, SP is Sporter, and MT is Match Target. Some codes are pretty easy to figure out since theyвЂ™re just the abbreviation of the weapon name. Just combine the methods and you should have little trouble learning ColtвЂ™s serial rules and regulations. However, usually, you can still get the general idea of the Colt code by checking out the information below. Again, some Colt models do share their codes with each other so what you find here may not be applicable in certain cases. Colt Serial Rules and RegulationsДЇor this part, weвЂ™ll take a look at the meaning behind the Colt serial numbers, prefixes, and suffixes on a variety of guns.

ItвЂ™s still the best method when it comes to reliability though.

#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS ARCHIVE#

Since itвЂ™s quite a costly method, the archive letter is often used to tie a particular firearm to a well-known individual in the past. There are other factors like special engraving and specific shipping destinations which could raise the final price substantially. It can reach up to $300 for vintage variants like the 1851 Navy. The fee is typically priced at around $100 for common products. To get the letter, you have to pay a fee, depending on your Colt model. This means that the letter descriptions may also not completely match the current configuration of your gun. Non-manufacturer markings wonвЂ™t be addressed in the letter. The archive letter contains important historical facts about your gun which considerably enhances its collectible value.Д¬ustom modifications like finish, barrel, and caliber changes like aftermarket engraving arenвЂ™t included though. In the letter, youвЂ™ll find details of your firearmвЂ™s original specifications and features, plus the delivery address as well. It provides an official archive letter as proof of your gunвЂ™s history. If you didnвЂ™t know yet, Colt offers a unique research service to their customers. So even though this method is fast, it isnвЂ™t a 100% efficient yet. This is since some vintage guns have overlapping serial numbers with other models. And thatвЂ™s why the results of the lookup wonвЂ™t always be accurate yet. You should note though, that the database isnвЂ™t totally complete yet.

#COLT 1911A1 SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER#

Click on Serial Number Lookup and then enter the serial number seen on your Colt. Simply go to ColtвЂ™s homepage and hover your mouse to the Customer Service tab. Thanks to technology, you can now look up Colt serial number on the internet.

Colt 1911a1 serial numbers