The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1, in 1926 with a stipulation that M1911A1s should have serial numbers higher than 700,000 with lower serial numbers designated M1911. The M1911A1 changes to the original design consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, a.
MODELS, S ERIAL NUMBERS AND
MANUFACTURING DATES FOR ITHACA GUNS
R eprinted with express written permission from Walter Claude Snyder ’ s books “ The Ithaca Gun Company F rom T he Beginning ” and “ I thaca Featherlight Repeaters:: The Best Gun Going:: A Complete History of the I thaca M odel 37 and the M odel 87 ” .
© A ll rights reserved, copyrighted , no material with in this document may be copied or distributed in any way without the expr ess written permission of the author , Walter Claude Snyder .
Reprinted with express written permission from Walter Claude Snyder’s books “The Ithaca Gun Company From The Beginning” and “Ithaca Featherlight Repeaters: The Best Gun Going: A Complete History of the Ithaca Model 37 and the Model 87”.
© All rights reserved, copyrighted, no material within this document may be copied or distributed in any way without the express written permission of the author, Walter Claude Snyder.
BAKER & NIG MODELS SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | NEW ITHACA DOUBLE (NID) SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | LEFEVER NITRO SPECIAL SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | ||||
1 - 2447 to 1885 | 425000 - 425299 | 1925 | 100000 - 101599 | 1921 | ||
2448 - 4101 1886 | 425300 - 439199 | 1926 | 101600 - 119899 | 1922 | ||
4105 - 7003 1887 | 439200 - 451099 | 1927 | 119900 - 158699 | 1923 | ||
451100 - 454530 | 1928 | 158700 - 185399 | 1924 | |||
454600 - 457299 | 1929 | 185400 - 214399 | 1925 | |||
CRASS & NIG MODELS | 214400 - 233007 | 1926 | ||||
SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | 457300 - 458399 | 1930 | 233100 - 252699 | 1927 | ||
7004 - 8787 1888 | 458400 - 459139 | 1931 | 252700 - 272999 | 1928 | ||
8788 - 10534 1889 (Jan-Aug) | 459140 - 459162 | 1932 | 273300 - 297199 | 1929 | ||
No records 9/89 thru 1891 | 459163 - 459195 | 1933 | 297200 - 298699 | 1930 | ||
17235 - 21999 1892 | 459196 - 459637 | 1935 | 298700 - 298749 | 1933 | ||
22000 - 25421 1893 | 459638 - 459649 | 1936 | 298650 - 299249 | 1934 | ||
25422 - 25759 1894 | 459650 - 460799 | 1935 | 299250 - 299999 | 1935 | ||
25760 - 27762 1895 | 460800 - 462899 | 1936 | Reserved for A Grades | |||
27763 - 28713 1896 | 462900 - 464699 | 1937 | 325000 - 327299 | 1935 | ||
28714 – 30222 1897 | 464700 - 464827 | 1938 | 327300 - 336399 | 1936 | ||
30223 - 33026 1898 | 464828 - 464850 | 1939 | 336400 - 345099 | 1937 | ||
33027 - 38399 1899 | 464851 - 464899 | 1940 | 345100 - 345899 | 1938 | ||
38400 - 46627 1900 | 464900 - 465199 | 1938 | 345900 - 347099 | 1939 | ||
46628 - 61609 1901 | 465200 - 465999 | 1939 | 347100 - 353099 | 1940 | ||
466000 - 466999 | 1940 | 352100 - 354999 | 1941 | |||
467100 - 467146 | 1941 | 355000 - 356299 | 1942 | |||
LEWIS & NIG MODELS | 467147 - 467199 | 1946 – Specials | 356300 - 357299 | 1946 | ||
SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | 467200 - 468099 | 1941 | 357300 - 361199 | 1947 | ||
61610 - 76599 1902 | 468100 - 468699 | 1946 | ||||
76600 - 94108 | 1903 | 468700 - 468794 | 1947 | LEFEVER A GRADE | ||
94109 - 105999 | 1904 | 468795 - 468799 | 1948 | SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | ||
106000 - 119320 | 1905 | 468800 - 469949 | 1947 | 300000 - 300654 | 1934 | |
119321 - 123677 | 1906 | 469950 - 469979 | 1948 | 300655 - 301007 | 1935 | |
470000 - 470099 | 1948 | 301008 - 301023 | 1936 | |||
301024 - 301037 | 1937 | |||||
MINIER & NIG MODELS | MAGNUM DOUBLES | 301038 - 301045 | 1938 | |||
SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | 301050 - 301699 | 1936 | |||
130000 - 138145 | 1906 | 500000 - 500112 | 1932 | 301700 - 302099 1936 | ||
138146 - 151283 | 1907 | 500113 - 500226 | 1933 | 302100 - 302399 1937 | ||
151284 - 151770 | 1908 | 500227 - 500286 | 1934 | 302400 - 302465 1938 | ||
500287 - 500300 | 1935 | 302466 - 302496 1939 | ||||
500301 - 500369 | 1936 | |||||
500370 - 500494 | 1937 | Lefever guns numbered under 100000 | ||||
500495 - 500581 | 1938 | are guns built by the old Lefever Arms | ||||
500582 - 500698 | 1939 | Company once located in Syracuse, NY. | ||||
500699 - 500883 | 1940 | This company went out of business | ||||
500884 - 500996 | 1941 | around 1916. | ||||
The finite element method (FEM), or finite element analysis (FEA), is a computational technique used to obtain approximate solutions of boundary value problems in engineering. Boundary value problems are also called field problems. The field is the domain of interest and most often represents a. Finite element method pdf free download. | 500997 - 501011 | 1942 |
FLUES & NIG MODELS DOUBLE & SINGLE GUNS SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | WESTERN ARMS MODEL LONG RANGE DOUBLE GUNS SERIAL NUMBER YEAR | LEFEVER SINGLE BARREL GUNS SERIAL NUMBER YEAR 1 - 8505 1927 | |||
175000 - 182031 1908 | 1 - 16 1929 | 8506 - 15759 1928 | |||
182032 - 192499 | 1909 | 17 - 24499 | 1930 | 15760 - 20280 | 1929 |
192500 - 205399 | 1910 | 24500 - 29999 | 1931 | 20281 - 20799 | 1930 |
205400 - 216499 | 1911 | 30000 - 30399 | 1932 | 20800 - 21799 | 1931 |
216500 - 230099 | 1912 | 30400 - 30849 | 1934 | 21800 - 21899 | left open |
230100 - 242599 | 1913 | 30850 - 34599 | 1935 | 21900 - 22299 | 1935 |
242600 - 256699 | 1914 | 34600 - 41699 | 1936 | 22300 - 23099 | 1936 |
256700 - 268199 | 1915 | 41700 - 47299 | 1937 | 23100 - 23499 | 1937 |
268200 - 276899 | 1916 | 47300 - 49299 | 1938 | 23500 - 23799 | 1938 |
276900 - 289299 | 1917 | 49300 - 52899 | 1939 | 23800 - 24579 | 1939 |
289300 - 299799 | 1918 | 52900 - 59199 | 1940 | 24580 - 24604 | 1941 |
299800 - 315399 | 1919 | 59200 - 64199 | 1941 | 24605 - 24607 | 1942 |
315400 - 343335 | 1920 | 64200 - 65099 | 1942 | ||
343336 - 356513 | 1921 | 65100 - 65779 | 1946 | ||
356514 - 361849 | 1922 | ||||
361900 - 372099 | 1923 | ||||
372100 - 390499 | 1924 | ||||
390500 - 398352 | 1925 | ||||
398353 - 398365 | 1926 |
The Flues model single barrel trap guns and the “two bolt” hammer guns are also numbered within this series.
SINGLE BARREL TRAP GUNS
FLUES MODEL KNICK MODEL KNICK MODEL
YEAR SERIAL NUMBER YEAR SERIAL NUMBER YEAR SERIAL NUMBER
1914 246892 to 246895 1922 400000 to 400014 1945 WW II
1915 to 255000 1923 to 400055 1946 to 402797
1916 to 273400 1924 to 400195 1947 to 402833
1917 to 278500 1925 to 400473 1948 to 402898
1918 to 279000 1926 to 400874 1949 to 403222
1919 to 306000 1927 to 401181 1950 to 403406
1920 to 306800 1928 to 401591 1951 to 403657
1921 to 344100 1929 to 402006 1952 to 403749
1922 to 344200 1930 to 402331 1953 to 403923
1923 to 344215 1931 to 402464 1954 to 404088
1932 to 402535 1955 to 404174
1933 to 402551 1956 to 404216
1934 to 402554 1957 to 404371
1935 to 402586 1958 to 404485
1936 to 402594 1959 to 404631
1937 to 402632 1960 to 404790
1938 to 402674 1961 to 404914
1939 to 402706 1962 to 405041
1940 to 402719 1963 to 405167
1941 to 402747 1964 to 405269
1942 to 402789 1965 to 405345
1943 WW II 1966 to 405389
1944 WW II 1967 to 405424
1968 to 405456
1969 to 240405489
1970 to 240405516
1971 to 240405531
1972 to 240405601
1973 to 240405624
1974 to 240405655
1975 to 240405704
1976 no production
1977 to 240405717
1978 no production
1979 to 240405723
1980 to 240405737
MODEL 37 REPEATER PUMP
YEAR | TYPE STANDARD | TYPE SOLID RIB | TYPE SKEET | TYPE TRAP | |
1937 | 1 - | 3500 | |||
1938 | 3501 - | 10000 | |||
1939 | 10001 - | 18350 | |||
1940 | 18351 - | 34400 | |||
1941 | 34401 - | 50900 | 70000 - 71500 | 80000 - 80400 | 88000 - 88150 |
1942 | 50901 - | 63000 | 71501 - 72199 | 80401 - 80899 | |
1943 | 63001 - | 69999 | |||
1946 | 92000 - | 115350 | 72200 - 73899 | 80900 - 81799 | 88200 - 88699 |
1947 | 115351 - | 157150 | 73900 - 74700 | 81800 - 81899 Were reserved for undefined “specials” 81900 - 82499 | 88700 - 89000 |
1948 | 157151 - | 202950 | 74701 - 78300 | 82500 - 83414 | 89100 - 89619 |
1949 | 202951 - | 302500 | 78301 - 79999 | 83415 - 83964 | 89620 - 89969 |
310000 - 310099 | |||||
1950 | 302800 - | 348000 | 83965 - 83999 | 310100 - 310179 | |
1951 | 348001 - | 413000 | 84000 - 84169 | 310180 - 310404 | |
1952 | 413001 - | 504000 | 84170 - 84189 | 310405 - 310429 | |
1953 | 504001 - | 544000 | 84190 - 84399 | 310430 - 310619 | |
509600 - 509649 | 509650 - 509699 |
The special serial number block for the Model 37R was discontinued after 1949.
Special serial number blocks were discontinued during 1953 for the models 37S and 37T.
M1911a1 Serial Numbers List 2017
Colt M1911a1 Serial Numbers
YEAR ALL MODELS YEAR ALL MODELS YEAR THE MODEL 87
1954 | 544001 - | 574000 | 1973 | 371287501 - 371366000 | 1987 | 371889001 - 371933432 |
1955 | 574001 - | 602000 | 1974 | 371366001 - 371453500 | 1987 | 870000001 - 870003659 |
1956 | 602001 - | 652000 | 1975 | 371453501 - 371536500 | 1988 | 870003660 - 870013800 |
1957 | 652001 - | 704000 | 1975 | 381000001 - 381030000 | 1989 | 870013801 - 870023377 |
1958 | 704001 - | 727000 | 1976 | 371536501 - 371602000 | 1990 | 870023378 - 870026846 |
1959 | 727001 - | 759000 | 1977 | 371602001 - 371631000 | 1991 | 870026847 - 870029389 |
1960 | 759001 - | 777000 | 1978 | 371631001 - 371671000 | 1992 | 870029390 - 870031578 |
1961 | 777001 - | 797000 | 1979 | 371671001 - 371676500 | 1993 | 870031579 - 870037370 |
1962 | 797001 - | 820000 | 1980 | 371676501 - 371690000 | 1994 | 870037371 - 870041515 |
1963 | 820001 - | 867000 | 1981 | 371690001 - 371728100 | 1995 | 870041516 - 870042773 |
1964 | 867001 - | 891000 | 1982 | 371728101 - 371758700 | 1996 | 870042774 - 870042931 |
1965 | 891001 - | 927000 | 1983 | 371758701 - 371850800 | ||
1966 | 927001 - | 966000 | 1984 | 371850801 - 371871500 | ||
1967 | 966001 - | 999500 | 1985 | 371871501 - 371882000 | ||
1968 | 999501 - | 1042000 | 1986 | 371882001 - 371889000 | ||
1969 | 1042001 - | 371091500 | ||||
1970 | 371091501 - | 371150700 | ||||
1971 | 371150701 - | 371211500 | ||||
1972 | 371211501 - | 371287500 |
YEAR THE MODEL 37
1996 M37000001 - M37003264
1997 M37003265 - M37007300
1998 | 370007312 - | 370008785 |
1999 | 370008786 - | 370011456 |
2000 | 370011457 - | 370013777 |
2001 | 370013778 - | 370016471 |
2002 | 370016472 - | 370020007 |
2003 | 370020008 - | 370025212 |
2004 | 370025213 - | 370026127 |
2005 | 370026128 - | 370026272 |
*Interchangeable barrels began with serial number 855000.
COMMEMORATIVE AND LIMITED ISSUE MODELS
Unique serial number sequences were established for special edition and commemorative Model 37 and Model 87 guns. Much of the data presented for the Model 37 guns came from microfilm copies of Ithaca shipping records on file at the National Tracing Offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and from microfiche copies of invoices from the 1980 era that were found at the Ithaca factory. The Model 87 data came from the serial number records of the Ithaca Acquisition Corporation.
ISSUE | YEARS OF ISSUE | SERIAL NUMBER |
LAPD Commemorative Model | 1981 | LAPD0001 – LAPD1299 |
LAPD Model 37 | LAPD66000 – LAPD85048 | |
LAPD Model 87 | 1989 | 70088001 – 700088290 |
LAPD Model 87 | 1990 | to 700090200 |
Bicentennial Model | 1976 | USA0001 – USA1975 |
Centennial Models | ||
Presentation Model | 1980 – 1983 | 1 of 200 to 200 of 200 |
Trade Model | 1980 – 1983 | CENT0001 – CENT2500 |
Ducks Unlimited Models | ||
Trade Model* | 1977 | 370DU0405001 – 370DU0408999 |
Auction Model | 1977 | 40DU0001 – 40DU1125 |
Americana Model | 1972 | A0001 – A2200 |
Charles Daly Model | 1985 | CD01001 – CD01360 |
Stakeout | 1981 – 1988 | 371xxxxxxHG** |
1988 | 372000201 – 372000401 | |
1992 | to 372000438 | |
1993 | to 372000533 | |
DU Guide Gun for Canadian chapters | 1991 | 91DUC0001 – 91DUC0650 |
DU Guide Gun for U. S. chapters | 1990 | 90DU370001 – 90DU372500 |
1991 | to 90DU373000 | |
Genoa Centennial Commemorative | Nov. 1989/90 | CENT2-001 – CENT2-200 |
King Ferry Special | 1990/91 | KFS-001 – KFS-200*** |
* Some M&P guns were built from unused Ducks Unlimited Trade Model receivers and had a DU serial number.
** The mark HG indicated registration with the BATF. Regular M37 serial numbers apply within this range.
*** Approximately 67 King Ferry Models were made. The regular Model 87 serial number also appears on the receiver.
Colt serial codes could be hard to read in the case you are not experienced in the field. While these codes have little impact on the firearms performance, they are one of the best ways to trace back the origin of the gun. The numbers and possible prefix (or suffix) characters contain a lot of information about the weapon history but not everyone can understand them accurately. If you truly want to know how to read Colt serial numbers then this article got something for you. Below are some solutions to read the numbers along with interesting information about Colt serial rules and regulations.
The fast method
Thanks to the advance of technology, now you are able to look up Colt serial number on the Internet. Simply go to the Colt homepage and hover your mouse to the “Customer Service” tab. In there is a useful function called “Serial Number Lookup”, click it then enter the serial numbers and characters on your Colt. However, as the page already stated, the database of the method is not a completed one. That is why the lookup result is not always good enough for your need. Certain vintage guns have overlapping serial numbers between models which make the searching even more confusing in some cases
The most reliable method
Colt offers a unique research service to their customers, it provides you with the brand official archive letter as proof of your gun history. On the letter are details of the firearm original specifications and features plus the delivery address as well. As a whole, the archive letter contains important historical facts about your gun which considerably enhances its collectible value. Custom modifications like finish, barrel and caliber changes or aftermarket engraving shall not be included though. Non-manufacturer markings won’t be addressed as well. Therefore, the letter descriptions may not completely match the current configuration of the gun.
Colt M1911 Serial Number
In order to get the letter, you have to pay a certain amount of money, depend on your Colt model. In most of the case, the fee is around 100$ for common products but it can reach up to 300$ for vintage stuff like the 1851 Navy. But that is only the base value, other factors like special engraving and shipping destination could raise the final price substantially. Since it’s quite a costly method, the archive letter is often used to tie a particular firearm to a well-known individual in the past. This is still the best method when it comes to reliability though.
Colt serial rules and regulations.
At this part, we will take a look at the meaning behind Colt serial numbers and prefix (or suffix) characters on a variety of guns. Again, some Colt models do share their codes with each other so what you find here may not be applicable in certain cases. However, for most of the time, you can get the general idea of the Colt code by checking out the information down below. Combine them to one of the methods above and you should have little trouble absorbing Colt serial rules and regulations.
Prefix and suffix
Some are pretty easy to figure out since they are the abbreviation of the weapon name. For example, SA is Single Action, NF is New Frontier, SP is Sporter, MT is Match Target and so on. On the other hand, a capital “C” prefix or suffix is used to indicate that the model is for Commercial use. In certain cases, these characters are simply used to show the year of manufacture and don’t have any secret meaning. But in order to know the age of the gun, you have to find a reference table to crosscheck the character with the manufacturing year.
Serial numbers
Technically speaking, Colt serial numbers jumped all over the place with no set pattern so you cannot understand them without a reference table. Design changes could suddenly change the progress of the serial numbers. For example, let’s take a look at the 1970s Colt M1911 commercial production. 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. The numbers style remains up until mid-1976 before the “70” is moved to the last two digits.
Model code
It worth the time and effort to check out Colt model code as well since it contains lots of information about the gun characteristics. Having a good understanding of the code shall let you recognize a particular model from its cousin with ease. A Colt single action model usually possesses 1 character prefix and 4 numerical digits. The prefix tells you the type of frame while the digits indicate the weapon version, caliber, barrel length and potential model variation.
- For the first digit, “1” means your Colt is the first model with a basic frame while “2”, “3”, “4” etc are the later versions. ”2” uses a frame from Colt Custom Shop while “3” utilizes a non-standard frame. “7” and “8” are employed occasionally to specify special variants.
- The second digit of the model code is the weapon caliber: “4” is .32 – 20, “6” is .357, “7” is .44, “8” is .45 and “9” is .44 – 40
- In the third digit is the caliber of the gun: “3” is 3 or 4 inches, “4” is 4.75 or 5 inches, “5” is 5.5 inches, “7” is 7.5 inches and “1” is 12 inches.
- Finally, the fourth digit is the finish or stock of your weapon: “1” is nickel or full blue finish, “2” is nickel or blue casehardened finish, “3” is nickel finish, “4” is Royal Blue casehardened finish and “6” is nickel finish. As you can see, the exact meaning of the fourth digit depends largely on the preceding digits. The fourth digit has been used many times as a way to different later models from earlier ones.
Conclusion
And that is most of what you should know about the subject, not too hard to take in, right? It’s a bit tricky to learn how to read Colt serial numbers at first but you should get better as time goes by. With the information above about, now you will have little trouble tracing the origin of your gun.