The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Question about (apparent) import marks on new, old 1911A1

MLeake · September 7, 2012, 04:53 PM

I just acquired a WWII issued Colt 1911A1 in a trade deal. It's a nice pistol, but lost any collectible value when somebody reblued the gun and stippled the front and back straps - which is fine, I was looking for an old shooter, not a collector's piece.

The gun came in today, and I noticed it has what appear to be import marks. They are on the frame near the trigger guard, and the slide near the ejection port, both on the right side. They consist of a crown over the letters BNP.

Am I correct in thinking this was a lend-lease gun to the British military, that has found its way back to the US? Or do those markings mean something else?

Pics:

Oh, yeah... took it to the range today (it's raining, so my back pasture wasn't a good option), and it shoots very nicely. I may like this thing better than my semi-custom. It's in my holster now...

September 7, 2012, 04:53 PM	#1
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Question about (apparent) import marks on new, old 1911A1 I just acquired a WWII issued Colt 1911A1 in a trade deal. It's a nice pistol, but lost any collectible value when somebody reblued the gun and stippled the front and back straps - which is fine, I was looking for an old shooter, not a collector's piece. The gun came in today, and I noticed it has what appear to be import marks. They are on the frame near the trigger guard, and the slide near the ejection port, both on the right side. They consist of a crown over the letters BNP. Am I correct in thinking this was a lend-lease gun to the British military, that has found its way back to the US? Or do those markings mean something else? Pics: Oh, yeah... took it to the range today (it's raining, so my back pasture wasn't a good option), and it shoots very nicely. I may like this thing better than my semi-custom. It's in my holster now...