Identification please

[Cerdan]

So, let's see who's the most knowledgeable of all! I just got this Colt and was wondering what the following marks mean/refer to:

As you can see, they're on the frame, the slide and the barrel. The first is a bird-like emblem, and the second, a logo made of the letters NPF. On the frame, they're followed by the letters "IDO", and on the barrels, by the inscription "Stt2". Anyone have any clues as to what they mean?

 

[whatguns?]

It looks like your Colt's been to Austria. That's the Austrian Eagle with the number one in it's center. IDO is a date code : Sept 1990, which is when the nitro proof (NPF) was done. Maybe!
Try this link...

www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-145617.html

 

[Cerdan]

Thanks a lot! That's very interesting... Makes you wonder about the history of your firearm. How'd it end up in Austria? How did it make its way back to North America?...

I still wonder, though, what's the point of nitro-proofing a firearm in this day and age. I can understand back when smokeless powders were introduced and black powder was still widely available, but in the 90s?

 

[hatman1793]

Not always sent...

Many firearms destined for Europe get nitro proof tested and marked here before being sent. If the process is done at the factory then the buyer doesn't have to do it and the marks also signify acceptance.
Some of these guns never get there. Perhaps you might recall Smith and Wesson made up a large order of models 10 revolvers chambered in 9mmFederal for an organization in France. Some got there, most didn't and they were sold here.
Your gun may have never left, just got tested and marked...

 

[Cerdan]

Would a US lab use the Austrian heraldic eagle and nitro-proof stamp, or their own equivalents?

From what I've gathered from here: http://www.beschussamt.at/BA_Wien_Waffen.htm, NPF means the firearm was stamped in Ferlach, Austria...