Strange serial number on Colt 1911

[fred cook]

A little help, please, I ran across this 1911 (not 1911A1) pistol. It has a strange serial number that reads No 710000A. The 710000 would put it right at the end of the 1911 production but I have never seen one with the "A" for a suffix. Any thoughts? Notice that the "A" is not quite straight in alignment with the serial number digits, like it had been stamped separately.

[on2wheels52]

I believe that's a GI frame (you knew that), perhaps the A was added at an arsenal re-finishing?
Those aren't ivory grips on the thing by chance?
Jim

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I believe that's a GI frame (you knew that), perhaps the A was added at an arsenal re-finishing?
Those aren't ivory grips on the thing by chance?
Jim

It appears to me to be a GI frame but according to "the books" a frame with that serial number should have the "A1" finger cut outs. It actually falls into the 1924 transitional group that used serial numbers 700000 -710000, being the last one! So did Colt skip some numbers and go back to use some 1911 frames? I have found out that some serials were duplicated and when received by the gov't would be marked "A" and "B". That explains why the suffix "A" is a bit skewed from the rest of the number. The slide appears to be from a pre 86000 gun as it doesn't have the 1913 patent date. Ivory, I wish! I believe that they are bone. They do have some nice grain though!

Thanks for the reply!