1911 (not A1) thread (Page 3 of 6)
My Thread About it in GD Honored to have page 5 in such a wonderful thread!!! 
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I picked this up today...I couldn't let it get away.
It's an early 1918..and as near as I can tell, it falls in the "Black Army" period. Sorry for the crappy background..I'm no professional photographer  Any gooey splotches that appear in the photos are just oil; I didn't sneeze on it or anything.
This one was early enough in the range to still have the original firing pin stop radius... 
When I took this thing apart and checked the bore, I could have sworn that if it had more than 50 rounds through it I'd eat my own head. There was NO pitting, no frosting, no NOTHING in the bore. It was virtually brand new. The finish on the barrel attests to that as well... 
In this last one you can clearly see the JMG proof, the type 2 thumb safety (1914 to mid-1918), and the rampant pony on the back of the slide: 
The only spots on it with "patina" are on the backstrap and mainspring housing. The story sold with the gun was that it was carried by a man in WWI as his personal sidearm...came home with him, and was then carried by his son as his personal sidearm during WWII. Along with the Colt came with a Boyt 1942-dated holster, canvas pistol belt from WWII, a WWII mag pouch with 2 practically new/unused mags in it, and a WWI pouch with two more mags in it, one of which had the tinned top (and unfortunatly looks every one of those 90 years old). I'm guessing the patina on the backstrap/mainspring housing came from the holster...as it looks like it was stored in that holster for decades. When I took it apart (total disassembly including removing the trigger and grips) to clean it...I noticed the feed ramp was still mostly blue!!! If this thing had been shot, it certainly wasn't very much. The internals were, in a word, perfect. If you want to see a high-res version of any of the photos, just remove the "-small" from the url. |
"Oh, bother," said Pooh, as he pulled the pin on another grenade...
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Originally Posted By blackfly53:
for some truly hearstopping prices check out www.simpsonltd.com, they do have nice stuff but..Originally Posted By ppknut:
Gawd, I want one of these so bad. Beautiful stuff guys. What should I expect to pay for a shootable original? Any ideas? How many K? I was at my fun shop tonight and saw a 1918 manufacture that was selling for $1999.00. I'm not sure if that is high or not but it was a ting' of beauty! 
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Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
hammer should be a wide spur one, sarco used to have them...most comfortable hammer ever IMHOHere's my warhorse. Still on duty, serving my family. Made in 1918, last fired a few days ago. Reworked by Augusta Arsenal in 1964, and then sold via an NRA/DCM sale in 1964, to my father, for the princely sum of 14 dollars. 
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l234/cmjohnson65/DSC_0552.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l234/cmjohnson65/DSC_0550.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l234/cmjohnson65/DSC_0549.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l234/cmjohnson65/DSC_0548.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l234/cmjohnson65/DSC_0547.jpg I need to get a "correct" crosshatched plunger for it and it's probably due for a new recoil spring. And I'm not sure that the trigger is correct but that's what it's had for as long as I can remember. I see now, and for the first time, understand that my 1911 has an A1 safety and an A1 trigger. Does anyone else see anything else about it that's not 'correct" for an original 1911? (Aside from the fact that it was arsenal refinished, that is.) It eats only ball ammo, as it was designed for. CJ 
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A 44 yo retiree, back in the classroom.... ;-D
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 relinked and reposted for your viewing pleasure 
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Rule 56: Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. For ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.
George Washington, Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation, 1745
George Washington, Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation, 1745
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Texas rifleman, your blued 1911 with the walnut grips, I am curious as I have one exactly like it and was told that it was a refinish job due to the low lustre finish, I can find no arsenal marks on it indicating this...does anyone know whether or not colt made these guns with matte finish in 1919? I apologize if this is not the place for this question but finding this exact match of my pistol really has me excited!and curious
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Originally Posted By Bogey1911:
Pics posted to make Lumpy happy My 1918 is in very similar shape. I need to get some pics up. Picked it up in one of the local stores a while back. Wish I knew its story. ETA:1918, not 1914. I always screw that one up. |
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler
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Thanks for sharing your photographs.
This thread brings tears to my eyes. Ye Olde 1911s definitely have a soul, something the new-fangled polymer pistols lack. |
"However if you come into the sector I’m LRRPing with the intention of causing trouble, I’ll break you into bite sized shrink-wrapped pieces so fast, you’ll be Rottweiler poop-poo before you even begin to feel the pain."
--SPECOPS
--SPECOPS
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Originally Posted By deuce9166:
I have been meaning to post pics of this 1917 Commercial for some time now, and this thread gives me an excuse. I bought about 10 years ago. I wish I new the history behind this great old gun. I would love to have known who CEF was. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/deuce9166/1911grn1.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/deuce9166/1911grn2.jpg Ever who CEF is was going to make sure everyone knew who it belogned to huh? |
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There are some incrediable pistols posted. As soon as my arrives next week I will have to post a pic. I am also looking for a stripped 1911 frame that needs a home. I have all the USGI parts including a colt 1918 slide. I am looking for a 1911 frame U.S, property marked. But I would settle for a 1911a1 frame.
Anyway great pics keep them coming |
My step-grandfather acquired this one. He was in the Army of Occupation in germany after WW1. while working as a security guard at a major aircraft plant in the San Fernando Valley in WW2, the guys in the plating shop cadmium plated it for him. Collectors valus NIL, personal value, priceless. (btw, pictures were made by setting it on the scanner)
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My 1918 refurb by Anniston at some period in time.
I've got a picture of it with my Transitional Model of 1924, but I don't want to get the boot for posting it. Danny
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As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, independence and enterprise to the mind. - Thomas Jefferson - 1785
كافر
كافر
Found this hybrd in Iraq last year. Frame is a Colt Commerical serial number from 1916. Its been parkerized, arched mainspring housing and a Ithaca slide on top. Came with standard M1911A1 brown plastic grips that I swapped out (worn out) and added a slide stop. The barrel has British proofs on top of it so I'm wondering if it came from the US to Britian during the 1940 send us guns program and then rebuilt later to a A1. There is alot of British guns here in Iraq since they occupied her for awhile. Shot nice but didn't carry it on patrol as only had the one aquired box of ammo. Did carry a standard issued M1911A1 when in uniform during my 03-06' trips there (along side my M9 also).
CD |
De Oppresso Liber
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I had the opportunity to buy one similar to this one several years back for $750, now im wishing i had bought it.
It was dated in the early 1940's and manufactured by Remington Rand and in decent shape but i thought that was way overpriced. 
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Death is certain life is not.
My great uncle sent me a 1911 about 15 years ago. It is a USP marked frame in the 290,000's. When he sent it to me it had a commercial slide with old school adjustable sights on it. The sights were coming apart though, so I found a fixed sight 1911 slide on eBay that I think was Philippine military surplus and imported here. I also switched the flat mainspring housing with an arched MSH from my ParaOrdnance.
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Originally Posted By SelectFire: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x42/Glockholiday/sw1.jpg My first new 1911 since the middle 80's Smith and Wesson stainless. Way to ruin a 1911 only thread with a Smith and Wesson abomination with an external extractor.  |
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Colt M1911 (from 1916 / refinished)
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7723/sus6000492yn7.jpg another picture of the Colt http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3188/s6000235uy3.jpg Kongsberg M1914 (from 1941) not really a '1911' but a norwegian copy http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/1929/s6000333qt4.jpg |
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Are those blood stains? Originally Posted By nonentity: http://www.nonentity.com/new/images/guns/1911DarkLeather.jpg Year of manufacture is 1917, I believe - Ser # 524XXX http://www.nonentity.com/new/images/guns/1911RightwGrips.jpg http://www.nonentity.com/new/images/guns/1911LeftwGrips.jpg Also, http://www.nonentity.com/new/images/1911MarkLeft.jpg |
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Figured I would post this here.
backstory link posted in GD 
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It's an interesting day when you realize you can shoot pencils into the ceiling instead of throwing them....mhoffman
..-. ..- -.-. -.-/--- -... .- -- .-
..-. ..- -.-. -.-/--- -... .- -- .-
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My recent acquisition - a Remington UMC M1911 with Colt commercial slide. High Standard barrel and Colt - Scovil WW2 magazine.
I gave up my Colt Sistema M1927 for this and will do my damnest best to restore it to military grade; I already have a Colt military slide (that was on the Sistema) that will cover me until i can get the correct Remington UMC slide for it. Is gonna be a fight, but I have never backed off a good project. Thanks SirSqueebo for helping me ID the frame.
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RIP SGT. Robert "Bobby" Wagner - 8/1/2004, Mosul Iraq.
Speed is how fast you hit the wall; Torque is how far you take the wall with you.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL; JOHN HAS A LONG MOUSTACHE!
Speed is how fast you hit the wall; Torque is how far you take the wall with you.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL; JOHN HAS A LONG MOUSTACHE!
I wish i could own one of these beautiful works of art
 been in the family since my great grandfather served in the war, its date 1917/1918. I have the original rear sight, still searching for a true front sight, these sights were modded so they would fit the gun, and when i get the proper sights, they will go back on. It was never re-armored according to the gun-smith and has all of the original parts! |
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Ben Franklin
| Sirs, what a cool thread. I lurk here occasionally, but last week I acquired a 1911 with a serial number that corresponds to a Colt made in 1913. "Property of US Government" is stamped on the right side of the frame forward of the trigger guard. The gun appears to be all original from my limited knowledge of the subject. Perhaps I'll figure out how to post a pic in this thread. Most of the original finish is gone, mostly brownish coloring I assume to be light rust remains but internally everything cleaned up really well with some kroil and a tooth brush. I'm very pleased to add this piece to my collection. The story that came with the pistol is that it belonged to a coworkers neighbor who's husbands great uncle carried it in WWI. The neighbor needs cash to pay medical expenses and I was glad to help out. I intend to write Colt and inquire of the history of the pistol for sake of provenence. Can anyone suggest sites I might be able to learn more of this pistol? 7zero1 out. |
7zero1: "High power competition is all about doing your best, everyone else is there for your entertainment".
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Originally Posted By 7zero1:
Sirs, what a cool thread. I lurk here occasionally, but last week I acquired a 1911 with a serial number that corresponds to a Colt made in 1913. "Property of US Government" is stamped on the right side of the frame forward of the trigger guard. The gun appears to be all original from my limited knowledge of the subject. Perhaps I'll figure out how to post a pic in this thread. Most of the original finish is gone, mostly brownish coloring I assume to be light rust remains but internally everything cleaned up really well with some kroil and a tooth brush. I'm very pleased to add this piece to my collection. The story that came with the pistol is that it belonged to a coworkers neighbor who's husbands great uncle carried it in WWI. The neighbor needs cash to pay medical expenses and I was glad to help out. I intend to write Colt and inquire of the history of the pistol for sake of provenence. Can anyone suggest sites I might be able to learn more of this pistol? 7zero1 out. Find somebody with the Clawson books... my boss's dad has them, and he was able to tell me the exact date of manufacture of mine, when it shipped, where it went, etc... 
Mine (1917 prod.) with the 1943 slide and parts it had been refitted with for WWII. I have since acquired and installed everything except a 1917 production trigger to get it back to all matching. Turnbull fit the 1917 slide and installed original sights on it. I'll get some pics of the completed piece up soon... I absolutely love it... other than the good ol hammer pinch of the smaller grip tang. 
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"I like going to the playground to watch the children jump up and down. They don't know I'm firing blanks." -Emo Philips
1911; It's like a Glock for men!
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1911; It's like a Glock for men!
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Here we go... the 1917 parts installed;
After some parts and a trip to Turnbull and back; 
Pretty solid match. 
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"I like going to the playground to watch the children jump up and down. They don't know I'm firing blanks." -Emo Philips
1911; It's like a Glock for men!
Master Mason, NRA Lifer, Drummist Extraordinaire!
1911; It's like a Glock for men!
Master Mason, NRA Lifer, Drummist Extraordinaire!
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If you're comfortable with doing so, IM me the serial number of the Colt and ANY markings you can find on it... if you have pictures, e-mail them to me...
I will forward the info to my boss and get whatever info for you I can... he was able to tell me the DATE mine left Colt, where it went, how many pistols it shipped with... it was pretty awesome. |
"I like going to the playground to watch the children jump up and down. They don't know I'm firing blanks." -Emo Philips
1911; It's like a Glock for men!
Master Mason, NRA Lifer, Drummist Extraordinaire!
1911; It's like a Glock for men!
Master Mason, NRA Lifer, Drummist Extraordinaire!
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Originally Posted By 103:
I just got the receiver. It looks pretty nasty on the outside, but the inside looks great––as if it hasn't seen that many rounds. Relatively speaking. Serial number is 502xxx. It may become part of my MEU(SOC) project. http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m196/borg103/DSC_0002-2.jpg http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m196/borg103/DSC_0003-1.jpg http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m196/borg103/DSC_0006-1.jpg A MEU-SOC on a 1911 frame! That would be quite a conversation piece. OTOH, if you finished it out with USGI WWII parts and had it Parkerized, it would be just like a rebuild. |
Here's another genuine warhorse for you. Belongs to a friend's 88-yr old vet father. I offered to clean/oil it and give him a piece of paper to keep with it explaining all about it. It's a run-of-the-mill 1918 'Black Army' that obviously ain't black any more. I've never seen grips more worn out than these. Still, it's never been sanded or refinished in any way. The barrel is frosted but shootable, and all other parts are excellent, except it needs a recoil and firing pin spring replacement. The vet was an officer in the Engineers and retired from the Army.
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