I'll keep this going a little longer...
As the war progressed, Colt made some minor changes to the M1911A1.
The inspector Waldemar Broberg (WB) changed to Guy H. Drewitt (GHD) in late 1942 and at that same time the ordnance acceptance wheel was also added. The sights and certain small parts had minor revisions with the most obvious being the milled trigger replaced with one that was stamped. For a detailed break down all the changes at Colt, someone interested in collecting needs to pick up Clawson's book.
Here's a 1944 GHD Colt, all original and textbook of that years production:
These macro shots also show the difference between the stronger crystaline surface of the early parkerizing compared to the later smoother Parko-Lubrite finish.
Something for collectors to consider is that everytime you wipe these pistols, it basically polishes the parkerizing. Over time the crystaline of the surface may become smoother and less original to how it originally looked. A better strategy for preservation would be to blob or dab the surface with oil in my opinion. At this point in time, I also don't think it would be wise to bring any original M1911A1 in nice condition to the range, it's simply not worth the risk/wear to such important historical pistols.
I like all the versions of the M1911A1 but the early 1942 WB Colts...They were there during those dark early days when America had just entered the war
Remington Rand, Ithaca, and US&S had not even begun the first steps production this early.....
-Steve
