I bought a Auto ordnance 1927A1 semi auto, the books don't talk about it, I looked on gun broker to get a good feel on different charging handles, rear sights ect.The one I picked up seems to have the old style charging handle ( see through cylinder shape) not the ball shaped handle and its got the elevated sight. I have also been able to see a couple of the newer serial numbers have prefixes or suffixes, I cant remember, but mine doesn't.It has a serial number of 110XX, its also parkerized not bluedAny info would be greatThanks. I bought a Auto ordnance 1927A1 semi auto, the books don't talk about it, I looked on gun broker to get a good feel on different charging handles, rear sights ect.The one I picked up seems to have the old style charging handle ( see through cylinder shape) not the ball shaped handle and its got the elevated sight. I have also been able to see a couple of the newer serial numbers have prefixes or suffixes, I cant remember, but mine doesn't.It has a serial number of 110XX, its also parkerized not bluedAny info would be greatThanksWhat kind of information are you seeking? Once upon a time the West Hurley Auto Ordnance 1927A1 was produced by Numrich ( Gun Parts Corp. Several years ago, not sure of the exact date, they sold the name Auto Ordnance ( and related items such as tools and dies ) to Kahr Industries. I don't think they have any records of the Numrich built guns, when they sold the company I believe al the previous records went to the ATF, could be wrong on that, but that was what I was told.

Oct 10, 2016  Looking for info on an Auto-Ordnance 1911 Author Message; Mottom. Joined: March 2010. The serial number is E 05552 and I purchased it in January 1994. Can you tell me when it was made? I purchased the M1911 and it sat in my closet unused for the last 17 years. I took it out a couple of months ago and right out of the box it shot 2-3. I bought a Auto ordnance 1927A1 semi auto, the books don't talk about it, I looked on gun broker to get a good feel on different charging handles, rear sights ect. The one I picked up seems to have the old style charging handle ( see through cylinder shape) not the ball shaped handle and its got the elevated sight. I have also been able to see a couple of the newer serial numbers have.

So, if you are looking for a manufacturing date the only one who could possibly help you is Kahr, and I don't think they will or can. Kahr is also putting out the Auto Ordnance 1911 45 now, also. Numrich bought out all of Auto Ordnance when it went out of bushiness (yet again) back in the late 70s. And built semi and full auto versions and a light weight version built using a aluminum frame, they also built a 22 cal version.they sold all of their tooling and auto ordnance trade mark to kahr it the late 90's.the west Hurley thompson's are MUCH better built guns than kahr is producing now. With the exception of the 'ladder' sight which is a tad flimsy. They had all kinds of models.

From a all black wood stocked 'commando' model to the over the top gold trimmed 'Deluxe' models and commemorative models.i have the 'commando' version which was beautifully parkerized and had paint black pebble finished walnut stocks.' (which i stripped the paint off of and put back to the natural walnut)Numrich also used as many new original surplus GI parts as they could gather. And sold off the line to Kahr when the original GI surplus parts were running out.there are a lot of myths and untruths about Numrich's auto ordnance production but i only lived a few miles from them and back in the day you could actually go and hang out at Numrich and seen them being built. And back in those days they had a Great full stocked show room and if you were a ' regular' you could get a tour of the ware house. They had all kinds of great stuff on display.

In the show room. MG's of all kinds. And literally TON'S of it. Hell even the junk and scrap piles were GREAT!!!that place was GREAT i loved hanging out there. Bored the hell out of the wife but for a war surplus nut like my self it was Nirvana. Lolthey don't do that anymore though. West Hurley model 1927A1MODEL OF 1927A1 (Semi Auto)1927A1 DELUXE, STANDARD, LIGHTWEIGHT AND PARKERIZED MODELSYEAR-QTY.

Understanding Serial Numbers - Understanding Dates of Manufacture

Serial number blocks were assigned by the Ordnance Department on an as needed basis, generally in response to the awarding of a contract to a given manufacturer.

The serial number was placed on the carbine receiver during the manufacturing process of the receiver, not when the carbine was finally assembled. The decision for which receivers would be used for the U.S. Carbine Models M1, M1A1, or M2 were made well after the receiver was completed as all of these models used the same receiver. Given the high volume production, receivers were generally assembled as part of a carbine within a few months after the receiver was serial numbered. However, dating a carbine by it's serial number alone is difficult and not always accurate given the circumstances inherent with manufacturing and the logistics situation during the time the carbines were manufactured.

A few of the manufacturers at various times used subcontractors to manufacture their receivers. One manufacturer separated out smaller blocks of serial numbers for use by subcontractors who would use these serial numbers concurrent to receivers being made by the prime contractor and/or other subcontractors assigned lower or higher serial number blocks.

Serial numbered receivers that failed to pass inspection were set aside as rejects if the defect(s) could not be brought up to minimum standards. As solutions to old problems were learned, some of the same receivers were brought back online and completed (i.e. Winchester receivers initially rejected because of an off spec deep hole drilled for the recoil spring and guide, later recovered and altered to use a detachable main spring housing). If a receiver was scrapped and not used, it's serial number may or may not have been reused.

No documentation has been found that indicates the dates serial numbers were placed on the receivers. No documentation has been found that indicates the serial numbers of carbines when they passed final inspection. Some people estimate a carbine's date of manufacture by adding the quantities manufactured month to month to the assigned serial number blocks. This is not an accurate means of estimating the date the carbine was finally assembled or when it passed it's final inspection.

If a receiver has it's original barrel and the barrel includes a date, the date is the date the barrel itself was manufactured. Barrels were usually in short supply and if inventory ran out could shut down production lines. Barrels were usually mounted to receivers within one or two months of the date the barrel was made, however, many carbines have had their original barrels replaced.

The start and end dates each prime contractor manufactured carbines in combination with the serial number, a dated barrel, and the parts the carbine has, if all are original to the carbine when it was manufactured may provide a general idea of when it was manufactured. As time goes on more and more carbines are having parts replaced as they wear out, disassembled for the sale of the parts individually are within small groups, and/or carbines are being reconstructed to what people believe they should have been when they left the factory.

U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine
Models M1, M1A1 and M2

'Odd', Altered, and Duplicate Serial Numbers

Serial Number stamped between Rear Sight and Bolt

X Suffix

An X following the serial number indicates the serial number has a duplicate, with the X being using
to identify one from the other. Not real common, may be collectible depending on a number of things.

Other Letters

Carbines having any other letter(s) on the receiver are beyond the scope of the information on this website.
Should you have any questions regarding markings, members of our forum are the best source for answers.

Should you have questions, assistance is available on our Discussion Forum.

The Discussion Forum also serves as a reference desk for the more advanced material that could easily overwhelm a website and is often subject to opinions that may vary
due to a lack of original documentation. A number of researchers and authors are present on the forums, helping others and seeking information for various research projects.