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Dfariswheel · January 4, 2013, 08:26 PM

There were NO stainless Colt 1911 series pistols made then. Colt didn't offer stainless Government Models until the mid 1980's.
The 70CS serial number indicates a Colt factory satin nickel finish.
The same gun in blue had a 70BS serial number.

This finish was an earlier satin finish then the later "Coltguard" finish. Colt said the finish on the 70CS was a satin nickel, but for some reason they used "SC" in the serial number, often taken to mean Satin Chrome.

watebo:
A good way to tell stainless from bright or satin nickel is to compare them to something you know is stainless steel. A kitchen utensil will do.
Stainless steel has a "white" tint to the metal, nickel has a distinct "yellow" or amber tint that's very noticeable when compared to stainless.
Hard Chrome has a blue tint.

January 4, 2013, 08:26 PM	#8
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	There were NO stainless Colt 1911 series pistols made then. Colt didn't offer stainless Government Models until the mid 1980's. The 70CS serial number indicates a Colt factory satin nickel finish. The same gun in blue had a 70BS serial number. This finish was an earlier satin finish then the later "Coltguard" finish. Colt said the finish on the 70CS was a satin nickel, but for some reason they used "SC" in the serial number, often taken to mean Satin Chrome. watebo: A good way to tell stainless from bright or satin nickel is to compare them to something you know is stainless steel. A kitchen utensil will do. Stainless steel has a "white" tint to the metal, nickel has a distinct "yellow" or amber tint that's very noticeable when compared to stainless. Hard Chrome has a blue tint.