[Etheria]

Can anyone tell me why the military issue 1911 .45 cal pistol has a 67 painted or inlaid on it behind the hammer? I heard it was because he was issued it while military police. Is this true. It has original finish. and have been told it was made where you can not wipe or remove the number 67 off even though i have not tried nor would i ruin any gun. Ty for any help. Have a nice day.

 

[Jim K]

Many military guns were marked with a "rack number" so armorers could easily store, inventory, and issue weapons without having to check the serial number. In U.S. service, the "rack number" was always painted on so it could be removed when the weapon was transferred to another unit; stamping it in either the wood or the metal was prohibited.

I am reasonably sure that the number is painted and can be removed with paint remover, but be sure whatever is used doesn't harm the finish.

My own preference is to just leave those numbers; they are part of the history of the gun.

Jim

 

[jim brady]

That '67' you described is more than likely a 'rack number'. Most of the weapons I was issued on active duty (Army) had numbers and symbols painted on as rack numbers to quickley identify the rifle or what ever weapon is was for a faster means of issueing the weapon by the unit armorer from the unit armory.

An example was an M16A1 that I was issued in Nam. It had a rack number of '199' pinted in white and a blue triangle painted on the butt stock. This was rifle number 199, and the blue triangle identified it as being issued to a member of C Company (A company had a red triangle, B company the white triangle and C company had the blue triangle).

 

[Etheria]

Thank you very much for all the help and the quick answers. I appreciate it and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless you all and America.