COLT M-1911 Blue Military Finishes.

[John D.Kopke]

Hello Board Members;
I am looking at a Colt 1911 with a 11,500 serial, which was parked, but never sandblasted
and presents a fine polished surface. Was this pistol originally Rust Blue or Charcoal Blue ?
Are there picture examples of both types of Blue ?
Thank you for any info.
Respectfully;

jonn (a sailor USCG 1961-1967 Bay of Pigs Yacht Club Member.)

[Johnny P]

The finish was originally charcoal blue. Only Springfield used rust blue. The Springfield blue is a matte blue since the bluing solution contains nitric acid which rusts the pistol. The rust is then carded off with steel wool to expose the blue underneath. If the blue was not even and deep enough, the process was repeated.

[Duane Hansen]

If you go to www.coolgunsite.com they show examples of the parkerized and Dulite blue Ithaca pistols and it also explains the difference too.

[Johnny P]

Du-Lite blue was applied over a sandblasted finish, but was a WWII finish. Phosphate finish was not original on the 1911, and not on the 1911A1 until WWII.

[PhillipM]

There is an early Colt on the welcome page of www.m1911info.com