[troutrat]

I remember hearing about a rare and valuable 1911 barrel with regards to the 1917-1918 model years. I recently purchased another WWI 1911 and the barrel is different from other ones I have seen. It is marked with an H on the hood, a P further down and sideways, and what looks like a scribled Z under neath with a drastically shaved down area under the lugs. Is anyone familiar with this barrel?

[genie]

Never heard of a "special" barrel, but am sure no expert on 1911, but can tell you this with good certainty: 1911s made in that era often develop permanent bending of the slide, before cracking begins to take place, due to impact with the frame. This bending is not visible, early on, to the naked eye, but it causes binding between the barrel and slide, after the barrel drops down out of "lock-up".

One of the "fixes" I have seen involved removal of metal from the locking lugs of the barrel, to allow free movement of the slide. Such a gun, upon continued use, will eventually exhibit cracks on either side of the slide, originating along it's bottom edge, and progressing straight upward, at a location immediately rear of the lower front portion of the slide which encloses the recoil spring.

[troutrat]

Interesting-------I will have to look into that! I am pretty sure this is in good shape, as most of the blueing is still intact, and the barrel is bright. I read about this barrel a couple of years ago when I bought my first WWI 1911---but for the life of me, i cannot seem to remember where I read about it. I am sure it is some obscure collectors thing!