How Long Has It Been Since Springfield Armory...

Joe_Pike · June 21, 2017, 01:18 PM

...has had a GI model 1911 with a high polish blue slide? We took one in on trade today at the shop I work for and I'm really digging it because it is a 9mm. I have looked on Gunbroker but couldn't find any recent listings. I know it has been a while because the bluing has that purple tint to it that some bluing jobs get over time.

WC145 · June 21, 2017, 08:29 PM

I don't think I've ever seen a Springfield GI with a polished blue slide.

std7mag · June 22, 2017, 05:36 AM

Nor have i..

RickB · June 22, 2017, 10:37 AM

All G.I.s are parkerized, and Springfield hasn't had any blued production models for years, but they did have blued, no-frills models.
One way to date Springfields is by the contouring of the frame front strap and dustcover.
Throughout the '90s, Springers had "square", large-radius contours, and they switched to more rounded, Colt/G.I. look in the early 2000s.
If the gun is blued and has rounded contours, then it's probably very early, from the late '80s.

Joe_Pike · June 22, 2017, 11:42 AM

The slide is blued with that purple tint you sometimes see. I just assumed it would be a GI since it has GI sights and the ejection port wasn't lowered/flared. The serial number is NM70xxx(?) I'll have to check the contouring on those areas you spoke of.

RickB · June 22, 2017, 01:43 PM

If the front strap wraps around to almost touch the leading edges of the grips, and it's factory blue, the gun is probably from the late '80s.
If there is 1/8" of flat frame exposed forward of the grip panels, then the gun is 1990's.
By the early 2000s, I think they had stopped offering blued finishes.

damienph · June 22, 2017, 05:34 PM

The MilSpec and the GI are not the same model. The MilSpec looks GI-ish but has a little larger sights and slanted cocking serrations and I think a lowered ejection port. It also has the crossed cannon logo as part of the slide rollmark.

The GI has smaller sights, straight cocking serrations and a high ejection port. Except for the roll marks (too large but no crossed cannon logo) and a civilian style thumb safety it is a pretty good likeness of the 1911A1s that I was issued yeas ago.

I had a GI that I gave my son, still have an Ultra Compact and an MC Operator, none of which are blued.

Joe_Pike · June 22, 2017, 05:41 PM

Quote:

The MilSpec and the GI are not the same model.

Sorry about that. I meant to type GI in my second post but said Mil-Spec instead. I corrected it.

Joe_Pike · June 22, 2017, 07:48 PM

Well here are a few pics of the areas that were described, so, I guess it's from the late '80s?

gc70 · June 22, 2017, 09:19 PM

The slide rollmark is consistent with a Mil-Spec. I don't believe any of the GI models had the second 'CAL 9MM' line.

RickB · June 22, 2017, 11:55 PM

Is the top of the slide flattened?
Very early Springfield 9mms had a flat running between the sights.

Joe_Pike · June 23, 2017, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Is the top of the slide flattened?

No, it is round.

RickB · June 23, 2017, 01:31 PM

If the finish is factory blue, then I'd say the gun is 25-30 years old, when basic, military-style pistols is all Springfield made.

Joe_Pike · June 26, 2017, 02:09 PM

I emailed SA and they told me it was made in June of 1989.

RickB · June 26, 2017, 05:28 PM

See, I'm flat-out wrong only half the time.

Kreyzhorse · June 26, 2017, 07:24 PM

Quote:

I emailed SA and they told me it was made in June of 1989.

Damn.... I thought for sure that was a July of 1989 model. Oh well, live and learn.

Looks like it would have been a nice blue right off the line.

June 21, 2017, 01:18 PM	#1
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	How Long Has It Been Since Springfield Armory... ...has had a GI model 1911 with a high polish blue slide? We took one in on trade today at the shop I work for and I'm really digging it because it is a 9mm. I have looked on Gunbroker but couldn't find any recent listings. I know it has been a while because the bluing has that purple tint to it that some bluing jobs get over time. __________________ Stay Groovy

June 21, 2017, 08:29 PM	#2
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	I don't think I've ever seen a Springfield GI with a polished blue slide. __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper

June 22, 2017, 10:37 AM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	All G.I.s are parkerized, and Springfield hasn't had any blued production models for years, but they did have blued, no-frills models. One way to date Springfields is by the contouring of the frame front strap and dustcover. Throughout the '90s, Springers had "square", large-radius contours, and they switched to more rounded, Colt/G.I. look in the early 2000s. If the gun is blued and has rounded contours, then it's probably very early, from the late '80s. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

June 22, 2017, 11:42 AM	#5
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	The slide is blued with that purple tint you sometimes see. I just assumed it would be a GI since it has GI sights and the ejection port wasn't lowered/flared. The serial number is NM70xxx(?) I'll have to check the contouring on those areas you spoke of. __________________ Stay Groovy Last edited by Joe_Pike; June 22, 2017 at 05:39 PM.

June 22, 2017, 01:43 PM	#6
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	If the front strap wraps around to almost touch the leading edges of the grips, and it's factory blue, the gun is probably from the late '80s. If there is 1/8" of flat frame exposed forward of the grip panels, then the gun is 1990's. By the early 2000s, I think they had stopped offering blued finishes. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

June 22, 2017, 05:36 AM	#3
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Nor have i..

June 22, 2017, 05:34 PM	#7
damienph Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 319	The MilSpec and the GI are not the same model. The MilSpec looks GI-ish but has a little larger sights and slanted cocking serrations and I think a lowered ejection port. It also has the crossed cannon logo as part of the slide rollmark. The GI has smaller sights, straight cocking serrations and a high ejection port. Except for the roll marks (too large but no crossed cannon logo) and a civilian style thumb safety it is a pretty good likeness of the 1911A1s that I was issued yeas ago. I had a GI that I gave my son, still have an Ultra Compact and an MC Operator, none of which are blued.

June 22, 2017, 09:19 PM	#10
gc70 Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,903	The slide rollmark is consistent with a Mil-Spec. I don't believe any of the GI models had the second 'CAL 9MM' line.

June 22, 2017, 11:55 PM	#11
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Is the top of the slide flattened? Very early Springfield 9mms had a flat running between the sights. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

June 23, 2017, 01:31 PM	#13
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	If the finish is factory blue, then I'd say the gun is 25-30 years old, when basic, military-style pistols is all Springfield made. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

June 26, 2017, 02:09 PM	#14
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	I emailed SA and they told me it was made in June of 1989. __________________ Stay Groovy

June 26, 2017, 05:28 PM	#15
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	See, I'm flat-out wrong only half the time. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.