1911 History Question - USMC Slide Markings

[Gutshot John]

Didn't want to hijack the MEU(SOC) thread...

I remember a Marine Armorer telling me years ago that many (if not most) of the M9s in the USMC inventory came from the Army first and said that trend had been true for years even with the 1911. Is that in fact an accurate statement relevant to the 1911?

Historically speaking have most 1911s used by the USMC had 'US Navy' (or samesuch) marked on the slide? or were there significant numbers marked 'US Army' as they went from one service to the other? At what point did it switch to 'US Government'?

I understand that there were rare examples marked 'Marine Corps' but I was under the impression that these were primarily the early pre-A1 era.

[peruna]

The vast majority of USGI M1911s were marked "Model of 1911 US Army" on the slide, regardless of the branch that actually ended up with them. Navy marked M1911s are a very rare bear.

There were never any USMC marked M1911s. If you see one, it has been phonied up.

All Army and Navy marked M1911s also said United States Property on the frame.

I believe all M1911A1s are marked "M1911A1 US Army" on the frame, regardless of branch.

The words "Government Model" indicate a civilian/commercial version (not USGI).


http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt%20production.htm


http://www.coltautos.com/default.asp

[Buck]

Some, not all, of the newer MEUSOCs with Kimber, Springfield, and Caspian frames have Marine Corps marks, but this is relitively new in the world of 1911s...

B

[Velcro]

"There were never any USMC marked M1911s. If you see one, it has been phonied up."

5308

...uhh, you sure?!

"US Military Property - USMC"


Velcro

[peruna]

...uhh, you sure?!

"US Military Property - USMC"


Velcro


Yep, very sure. Note that I said M1911, of which production ceased in 1919 prior to the introduction of the M1911A1.

It pays to know your nomenclature when discussing firearms..........


My comment was directed to the OP's statement about rare examples marked 'Marine Corps' from the early pre-A1 era.

[VooDoo6Actual]

I'm no expert BUT, I'm fairly certain peruna has it spot on.

A PWS / MTU MEU SOC have gone through a number of iterations as in spec sheet changes.

Here's some pics of vetted MEU SOC's I have seen or shot.
You'll notice one of them (third pic down) does have a slide marked USMC. My understanding of that specific pistol is that the builder who was a legit MTU armorer was somewhat Gung Ho about it & just put it there along w/ EAG. I would think because of the different spec changes vs. needs, there may be some variations or aberrations due to different vendors/procurement sources.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/MEUSOC4.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/1911MEUSOC2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/MEUSOCpistol.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/MEUSOC2.jpg

LOVE the MEU SOC's

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/1237576337_daffy-jerking.gif


YMMV...

[Velcro]

It pays to know your nomenclature when discussing firearms..........


The "nomenclature" between both, since nomenclature is used to describe specific parts of an item (definition listed - Noun
nomenclature (countable and uncountable; plural nomenclatures)
(obsolete) A name.
A set of names or terms.
A set of rules used for forming the names or terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. )

"a countable set of names or pieces"

...will probably match in a lot of ways, probably almost exact...


the "Model" between the two, does show a different designation between them...so there was no "model M1911" that was marked...



Velcro

[peruna]

Then I suppose the 'A1 designation was just added for kicks and grins? :rolleyes:


Get over it. ;)

[Buck]

Enough.......

[CGSteve]

I'm not an advanced collector or a expert historian of the platform but all the reference materials that I have read coincide with peruna's responses.

[Gutshot John]

That was my fault for the way I phrased the question. I was asking about USMC marking in the totality of 1911-Present - M1911 and A1. I had known there were USMC markings but had conflated that with a USMC contract during the nineteen-teens but that must have been the more recent contracts.

The reason for my question was that I have a custom 1911 being built and I requested a custom serial number (relevant to Navy Corpsmen in the FMF...NOT MEU/SOC). It's going to be a serious shooter so I have some modern features but I asked for a "classic" vibe so I thought the preferred slide which would probably be marked "US Army."

Though I acknowledge its sustainability shortcomings in a large military force, for me as an individual it's still one of my favorite handguns of all time.

[HK45]

Peruna is right up the the early MEU (SOC), not "MEU/SOC" btw. I cannot speak to current MEU(SOC) pistols but all models I was issued up to 1990 had US Army on the receiver since the early pistols all came from hand selected mass issue 1911's.