Interesting WWII-era Colt 1911A1

Boss · Sep 21, 2019

Greetings,

Stopped by a LGS today and he had just taken in a very interesting Colt. From the S/N, 2289XXX, it was made in 1945. It had the 'United States Property' and 'M1911A1 US ARMY' on the right side of the frame, so it could possible have been in combat at the very tail end of WWII. It certainly was in well worn state cosmetically, lots of scratching to the blued finish (and it was probably refinished) and missing the grips as well as the grip screw bushings. However, slide-to-frame fit was actually not too bad and it cycled smoothly. Controls appeared to function property.

What was more interesting were the other numbers/markings, particular gun, notably the 'NOTENGLISHMAKE' and 'RELEASED BRITISH GOVT. 1952' stamped on right side of the frame below the other markings. The barrel also had 'NOTENGLISHMAKE' stamped on the hood, and there were several other two-letter markings like 'BV' in circles which I would think might be other proof or some sort of armorers markings. Left side of the frame had 'P' below the mag release as well as 'GHD' vertically behind the trigger.

One of the 'Send a Gun to Defend a British Home' firearms? Not sure, might delve into further as time allows. But I don't think many of those guns made it back home, so it might be quite rare. But it would seem strange/unlikely if it were manufactured in 1945 and sent to the US Govt/Army. Perhaps a training gun sent over there or otherwise lent to the UK for some reason? Interesting to say the least.

Any of you historical Colt 1911 experts able to fill in some blanks?

Boss

VinnieBoomBah · Sep 21, 2019

Grab some popcorn, a beverage of your choice and have fun!

NOTENGLISHMAKE - Google Search

jbett98 · Sep 21, 2019

Most likely a British lend lease pistol. Did the markings look like this?

Boss · Sep 21, 2019

^^Similar markings.

Interesting piece and history. Something you don't see everyday. It certainly has alot of character...hopefully from honest use and not from being unappreciated.

Boss

gprippers · Oct 10, 2019

SHOULD BE A PARKERIZED FINISH, NOT BLUE SO IF IT IS A BLUED FINISH THEN ITS REDONE FOR SURE.
ITS A LEND LEASE PISTOL THAT WAS SENT OVER TO COMPLETE CONTRACTS OF THE LEND LEASE ACTS TOWARDS THE END OF THE WAR. THEY MARKED THEM WHEN THEY WERE RELEASING THEM BACK TO THE USA. SO THAT PISTOL WAS PROOFED TO BE RETURNED IN 1952. ITS A SIMPLE LEND LEASE GUN THAT WAS RELEASED BACK TO US.

PRIOR TO 1955 YOU COULD SEE 3-5 SETS OF LETTER BRIT PROOFS ALONG WITH CROSSED SWORDS ETC. THEY ALL HAD THE "NOTENGLISHMADE" AND "RELEASED BY GOVT 1952" ETC.. BY THE TIME THEY DID THE SLIDES, FRAMES AND BARRELS THEY COULD GET MARKED UP PRETTY BAD ACTUALLY. HAVE SEEN PISTOLS THAT ARE STAMPED ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THOSE WERE SOME OF THE FIRST ONES SENT BACK TO US. THEY CALMED DOWN A BIT AND THEN EVEN MORE SO IN 1955. THEY "CONSOLIDATED" THE PROOFING SYSTEM IN "55 SO AS TOO SIMPLIFY THE SYSTEM. THEY DID AWAY WITH SO MANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL MARKINGS AND ALSO STOPPED MARKING THEM "NOTENGLISHMADE" AS WELL. YOU WILL SEE THE POST 1955'S WITH BNP OR BNP CIRCLED WHICH IS THE NITRO PROOF AND BRITISH PROOF COMBINED. YOU WILL SEE THE BNP ON THE BARREL AS WELL AS CASE LENGTH IN DECIMALS, THE CALIBER AND TONAGE. IVE HAD EXAMPLES THAT WERE POST 55' THAT WERE MARKED 1958 ON THEM ALONG WITH THE NEWER PROOFS. THEY JUST SIMPLIFIED IT IN 1955.

SORRY ABOUT BEING LONG WINDED BUT I FIGURED MIGHT AS WELL PASS THE INFO FORWARD.

KOOL GUN IF ITS STILL PARKED AND IF ITS REBLUED THEY TOOK MOST OF THE KOOL OUT OF IT FOR MOST COLLECTORS. WOULD BE AN ENTRY LEVEL VERSION OF THAT GUN IF REBLUED. REPARKED IS DIFFERENT STORY OF COURSE! LOL!

tac · Oct 10, 2019

The wording 'NOT ENGLISH MAKE' was also applied to foreign-made firearms that were sold on the commercial market here in UK. Here is the marking/stamp on my pre-WW2 Walther Sportmodel, a variant of the DSM-series. For some reason it was stamped upside down on the receiver and barrel.

Boss · Oct 11, 2019

Thanks gp and tac, some interesting history there.

It would appear that the one I saw as indeed refinished, as was suspected. Since that collector aspect is now gone, and the overall 'rough' condition, it would likely make for a nice restoration project from someone like Turnbull or something.

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Boss

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