Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 1911 Slide Markings

Another thread brought up the subject of the new Colt�s Rollmarking, and it got me to thinking. Since the Series 70 guns, I have not been real happy with how manufacturers mark up 1911 slides. When you look at the marking on a pre-Series 70 Colt�s, the marking is done exceptionally well, and absolutely no bigger than it needs to be. Since the Series 70, both Colt�s and most every other maker have treated the side of a 1911 Slide like a billboard. Maybe it�s just me, but I think the lettering should be no bigger than what was on pre-Series 70 guns. To me, that was classy, you knew who the maker was, but it didn�t detract from the pistol at all.

Don't know about the Colt markings but I hear you.

As dumb as it may sound, and I admit it is a picky reason, that's one reason I haven't warmed up to the Springfield 1911's. I am sure they are solid products but the slide markings turn me off.

Here's my favorite 1911 rollmarks: Colt commercial, circa 1918.

Here's a "new rollmark"



Sistemas are very nice, too, with attractive, detailed stamps.

Make, model, caliber, and serial number is all the writing any firearm needs. Characters should be 1/16" to 1/8" high. Without a doubt, the pre Series 70's were the nicest looking Colt . I worked in a gun shop when the Series 70 came out, and some early guns didn't have the Series 70 rollmark on the slide. They only had a "B" (for bushing) stamped on the top of the chamber. Everyone wanted a "real" Series 70, so we had to discount them to sell them. Sometime later, it became known that only around six to eight hundred (I think) left the factory that way making them some of the rarest Colt 1911 variants ever, and became instant collector items.

I always liked the right side, but never the left side�speaking purely from an aesthetic standpoint. Now from the standpoint of being either a collector or an aficionado of historical arms; it does warm your heart to see that big billboard on the original 1911�s. Other than that, Timbo�s got it right.

Tex,

That�s what my .38 Super looks like, with �100 Years Of Service� on the other side. It�s alright, much classier than the Series 70 and many of the other guns out there, but I still think they could do better.

This looks pretty good: http://www.coltautos.com/1911a1_Super38_36864.htm , but the pre-Series 70 guns, to my eye at least, just seemed to nail the rollmarking just right.

Somehow I managed to miss owning anything made in 2011. Guess I'll have to fix that someday.

The Rampant Colt is always a good addition. Actually any of the logos are good, if neatly lettered, like the examples on Coltautos.com

You know, I've always thought that crests or logos ought to be placed behind the cocking serrations; that spot has always just cried out for it. But apparently every manufacturer disagrees with me. Why can't they all be reasonable and just do it my way:)

I don't think these slide markings are too bad....

but, like Kevin, I'd prefer the little chickinhawk-in-a-circle-with-a-'R'-on-it's-chest to be behind the serrations.


and put the 'Ruger' on the frame in front of the slide release.


Do away with the 'made in usa' since it already says prescott,az on the other side.

Mine says 11.25mm....

Dan Wessons are the cleanest.

My Les Baer, Springfield TRP Tactical and Kimber CDP are perfect in my eyes. Small lettering of the less is more variety for the most part.

Ruger has a fantastic logo; absolutely brilliant. Yeah it would look good behind the serrations, but you know they want everyone at the range to see that it's a Ruger. I understand why they all do it, I just don't like it. Nice gun though.

Maybe I am getting old but the classic 1st Issue 1911 Colt marking is just sexy to me....the horesy is inside a circle to the rear of the left serrations...classy...very classy....I like all the pat. dates on there....

Of all the "billboard" rollmarks, I actually think Ruger's looks petty presentable. And I like the "Made in USA" part of it.

But I sympathize with the general sentiment.