The Colt pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, thus gaining its designation, M1911 (Model of 1911). It was adopted by the Navy and Marine Corps in 1913. Originally manufactured only by Colt, demand for the firearm in World War I saw the expansion of manufacture to the government-owned Springfield Armory.
WW1 US Model 1911 Pistol by Springfield Armory Description: Serial #83024,.45 ACP, 5' barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a 1915-made pistol that has an overall mottled gray patina on the slide, with some thin freckling and surface oxidation at front and rear. Scott Gahimer furnishes serial number and shipping information for M1911, M1911A1, Colt Government Model pistols. Started in 1912, the M1911 Commercial and its A1 variant got normal serial numbers with a simple prefix (or suffix). But in mid 1970, the serial numbers are not a continuation of the previous ones. Instead, now they have a “70” as the first two digits.
Battlefield experience in the First World War led to some more small external changes, completed in 1924. The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1. Changes to the original design were minor and consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, a longer grip safety spur (to prevent hammer bite), a wider front sight, a shorter spur on the hammer, and simplified grip checkering by eliminating the 'Double Diamond' reliefs.
Springfield 1911 Serial Number Location
Springfield 1911 Serial Numbers
Those unfamiliar with the design are often unable to tell the difference between the two versions at a glance. No significant internal changes were made, and parts remained interchangeable between the two.