Rollmarks?

[trimation]

What are rollmarks?

I have heard people refer to them when discussing 1911s and I don't know what they are.

Thanks.

 

[VaughnT]

Rollmarks are the letters, numbers and logos imprinted on to the sides of the slide/barrel. They are pressed in to the slide by a rolled stamp rather than a pressed stamp. Does that make sense?

 

[cratz2]

Some folks just prefer one roll-mark to another. You can use the roll-marks to date a pistol to some extent. Some will have you believe that the old 1991A1 marked Colts are junk and very few have had problems with Colts with the newer roll-mark.

New roll-marked Colt:

Old roll-marked Colt:

 

[trimation]

Ok, I see. Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

Trimation

 

[Jim K]

I don't think anyone believes the rollmarks themselves make a difference. Some are aware that companies increase or reduce quality and the markings can show when a change was made.

The two guns illustrated differ considerably entirely aside from the markings. One is a top line Colt Government Model; the other is also a Colt but is a low end "made to a price" Model 1991A1. Both are the same basic gun, and both may be good guns, but the Model 1991A1 will not have the careful fitting and finish of the GM.

Jim

 

[cratz2]

Actually, they're both pretty much the cheapest gun Colt offered at the respective times... But Jim does have a very good point. The mark itself is insignificant other than asthetics. Just that many folks would have you believe the upper gun is well fitted and 100% reliable out of the box and you should be willing to bet your life on it while the lower one is a hunk of junk not worth even taking to the range. Of course, I exaggerate but the sentiment is there, I almost guarantee it.

The bottom hunk of junk hasn't failed once in the last 5,000 rounds, by the way.

 

[philupcolt]

I own two older 1911s , the first is a custom built gun , the gunsmith commented that the slide was a colt hard slide. the roll marks are barely visable. The other is a colt pre 70s Nat. Match , and here again , the roll marks are barely visable. I ofter wondered if the parts were marked when the metal was in a soft stage, then hardened, or marked on the final finish.
Does anyone know?

 

[cratz2]

Just contribution conjecture but I always though the roll marks were... uh... marked... just before the finish was applied. I think the metal should be hard when the rollmark is applied.

 

[dsk]

Jim, the two 1911s pictured above are both technically M1991A1's. They both have the same Colt stock number, #01991. What Colt did recently was add a stainless barrel and begin brush-finishing the flats, in addition to changing the slide rollmark to a more eye-pleasing one.

The rollmarks are added late in the manufacturing process, and if you'll look at a Colt you'll see they're actually applied after the slide and frame have been polished. At one time the polishing was done afterwards, but since around the time of the early Series 80 models Colt changed the order in which they did it. You can tell because the rollmarks have raised metal from when it was displaced during the stamping operation. IMO the markings would look better if the slides were polished afterwards, and the raised metal surface removed..

 

[philupcolt]

Thanks DSK, Your explanation makes sense as to why the roll marks on my two older guns are barely visable . The slides were probably polished after the roll marks were applied , and enough metal was taken off to make the roll marks appear very shallow.