Military rebuild question

[Bigrob1911]

Hi all!! I think this my first post here. I have found a victory model that I have questions about. The serial number is V151441, Navy marked top strap, "Property of US Navy" on left side, (red letter Navy). The numbers on the butt, grip, cylinder and ejector all match, but there is no number on the barrel flat. If this was re-barreled, either by the Military or the factory, is there rebuild marks I should look for? Thank you all in advance!!
Rob

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Peanut Capital of the World! It is unlikely the factory would have worked on the gun. The military had armorers and arsenals that did their gun work. If the factory worked on it, it would have been after the war, IMO. Also, factory work is usually accompanied by a star stamped on the butt near the serial number and a MM.YY stamp on the left side toe of the grip frame. The factory would have stamped the serial number on a new barrel.

I'm not very familiar with arsenal work but IIRC a total arsenal refurb had an arsenal stamp. An A inside a circle is one example. If the barrel was replaced by an armorer, there likely wouldn't be any stamps...again, IIRC.

 

[Bigrob1911]

Thanks for that. I'm kinda worried about a backyard gunsmith doing the work. It looks good, and I'll post pictures soon!! Thanks again.

 

[duke2002]

Pick up a copy of the 4th edition smith book there out there used now. Lot of info fairly cheap if your into smiths. I have a colt new service that was overhauled it actually has two sets of numbers on it. The colt 1911A1 i have the slide and frame numbers are 100 off. I got the gun from the guy that carried it in the Phillipines. He got isued it that way. Could have been rebuilt in theater.

 

[Bigrob1911]

Here's the photos!! Is it weird the serial number on the butt has a slant to it?
Thanks again!!

 

[glowe]

I agree with Guy that it was likely that the US Navy Aresnal had a store of parts that would not have been stamped or marked and installed without stamping serial numbers. It is also possible that any gunsmith from the 1950s and 1960s could get hold of factory barrels finished as they did for the war.

BTW, no military issue gun had gold inlayed stampings and numbers, so someone has filled in the stampings. I would scrub the gun with acetone and remove all that paint.

 

[Retired W4]

I agree with Guy that it was likely that the US Navy Aresnal had a store of parts that would not have been stamped or marked and installed without stamping serial numbers. It is also possible that any gunsmith from the 1950s and 1960s could get hold of factory barrels finished as they did for the war.

BTW, no military issue gun had gold inlayed stampings and numbers, so someone has filled in the stampings. I would scrub the gun with acetone and remove all that paint.

Don't scrub off the red though. It's suppose to be there

 

[Slufstuff]

If it were mine, I would not worry too much about the barrel. It is at least the correct type and IMO is more likely than not done by the military. The red navy's carry a premium, they do not come up for sale too often. I bid on several the past couple of years and the prices always went pretty high. I would be pleased to have that one with the other numbers matching like they do.

 

[Muley Gil]

Pick up a copy of the 4th edition smith book there out there used now. Lot of info fairly cheap if your into smiths. I have a colt new service that was overhauled it actually has two sets of numbers on it. The colt 1911A1 i have the slide and frame numbers are 100 off. I got the gun from the guy that carried it in the Phillipines. He got isued it that way. Could have been rebuilt in theater.

I once had a 1909 US Army Colt Service that had the extra number stamped on several parts during an arsenal rebuild.

 

[Elroy]

Thanks for that. I'm kinda worried about a backyard gunsmith doing the work. It looks good, and I'll post pictures soon!! Thanks again.

What does the head of the barrel retaining pin look like. Any witness marks ?

 

[Elroy]

The numbers on the butt, grip, cylinder and ejector all match, but there is no number on the barrel flat.

Don't forget the serial number on the crane.