

Wow, that's definitely worth trying to find a conservator.
Keep any more damage from ruining this piece of history |
|
What an awsome piece of history to own, I would never get rid of it unless it went to a museum.
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Nice story. Not that I'm doubting it. I have insufficient information to even have an opinion. But I collect WWI and WWII weapons. You realize that there are more stories than guns? The pictured 1911 and holster certainly seem to fit the story. If it was carried in combat at Iwo, it is likely to have been ready for use. Doesn't look like that slide has moved since the bullet strike. I guess the acid test would be that there is still a chambered round in the 1911. Be careful handling that weapon! |
|
Thank you for posting, an amazing piece of history.
In before some Glocktard says a Glock would still run after this. |
|
that is sweet! I love that they didn't even try to pull the leather out where it must have been pushed into the gun by the bullet. Awesome!
|
|
Quoted:
Nice story. Not that I'm doubting it. I have insufficient information to even have an opinion. But I collect WWI and WWII weapons. You realize that there are more stories than guns? The pictured 1911 and holster certainly seem to fit the story. If it was carried in combat at Iwo, it is likely to have been ready for use. Doesn't look like that slide has moved since the bullet strike. I guess the acid test would be that there is still a chambered round in the 1911. Be careful handling that weapon! That was the first thing that came to my mind when he told me that the slide was locked up. I was told that the hammer had been dropped numerous times already and nothing happened. I cringe when I think what could have happened. I no doubt handled it very carefully and kept it pointed in a safe direction the whole time being nervous myself. we have a video borescope at work, I'll get the technician to send it down the barrel for an inspection. |
|
Quoted:
Nice story. Not that I'm doubting it. I have insufficient information to even have an opinion. But I collect WWI and WWII weapons. You realize that there are more stories than guns? The pictured 1911 and holster certainly seem to fit the story. If it was carried in combat at Iwo, it is likely to have been ready for use. Doesn't look like that slide has moved since the bullet strike. I guess the acid test would be that there is still a chambered round in the 1911. Be careful handling that weapon! A lot of WW Vets carried the 1911 in condition one during wartime, even during battle. It was a last defense weapon as a rifle was far superior in most respects and as long as ammo for it held out, a pistol was unlikely to be withdrawn from the holster. |
|
Amazing, absolutely amazimg. I hope the family will find the right person to help perserve such a great peice of history.
|
|
Now that is just an awesome story......10 kinds of win here. Leave it to a 1911 to save lives without even firing a shot. Not only the greatest handgun ever but serves as expedient body armor when the Japs are getting testy.
|
|
Quoted: Quoted: Nice story. Not that I'm doubting it. I have insufficient information to even have an opinion. But I collect WWI and WWII weapons. You realize that there are more stories than guns? The pictured 1911 and holster certainly seem to fit the story. If it was carried in combat at Iwo, it is likely to have been ready for use. Doesn't look like that slide has moved since the bullet strike. I guess the acid test would be that there is still a chambered round in the 1911. Be careful handling that weapon! A lot of WW Vets carried the 1911 in condition one during wartime, even during battle. It was a last defense weapon as a rifle was far superior in most respects and as long as ammo for it held out, a pistol was unlikely to be withdrawn from the holster. I don't necessarily disagree. Just hard to picture the fierce fighting at Iwo, especially on Mt. Suribachi without everything locked and loaded. Still glad to hear the OP is going to run a scope down the barrel and check. A flashlight would work too. A flashlight and a dental mirror would be even better (so we don't point a potentially loaded weapon at our eyeball). Better safe than sorry. ![]() |
|
the awesomeness of this story cannot be understated!
![]() thanks for posting!!! |
|
That would be an amazing temp loan to the Marine Corps museum Iwo Jima Display!
![]() |
|
That looks like you threw it down the driveway to make it look legitimate.
JK...That is an awesome piece of history! |
|
This is one of the coolest things I have seen on Arf since I have been here..
Thanks OP and thank the family of that full fledged Marine hard ass.. |
|
Goosebumps. Thank you.
My grandfather was a marine on Iwo Jima as well. I have a 1911 that he brought back but he bought it in Tokyo after the war––not his issued sidearm. |
|
nm, read further to see taht it appears to be empty, but you're going to check with a camera....so...tag for that update.
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Nice story. Not that I'm doubting it. I have insufficient information to even have an opinion. But I collect WWI and WWII weapons. You realize that there are more stories than guns? The pictured 1911 and holster certainly seem to fit the story. If it was carried in combat at Iwo, it is likely to have been ready for use. Doesn't look like that slide has moved since the bullet strike. I guess the acid test would be that there is still a chambered round in the 1911. Be careful handling that weapon! That was the first thing that came to my mind when he told me that the slide was locked up. I was told that the hammer had been dropped numerous times already and nothing happened. I cringe when I think what could have happened. I no doubt handled it very carefully and kept it pointed in a safe direction the whole time being nervous myself. we have a video borescope at work, I'll get the technician to send it down the barrel for an inspection. I think it would be cooler to take it to the nearest International Airport, and have it X-rayed in one of those fucking machines we paid for. ![]() |
|
That 1911 has quite the history!
As to questioning why that 1911 is not in Condition One.... I'd say the pistols at the time of battle were carried in various conditions of readiness. Some men may have felt comfortable with Condition One and others with Condition Two. Others may have preferred Condition Three. Just something we may never really know. Thanks for sharing by the way! |
|
Fucking AWESOME. These kind of posts are what keep me coming back to this site over and over!
And I agree.. if that ever leaves the family, it had better wind up in a museum for every American to witness and pontificate upon. |
|
Quoted: I think it would be cooler to take it to the nearest International Airport, and have it X-rayed in one of those fucking machines we paid for. ![]() And never get it back.... ![]() Very cool story. |
|
The 1911 likely saved the man's life, though not in the way it was designed to! Thanks for the pics!
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.