A person I know was transporting two pistols to the Police to turn in for destruction. We discussed them and I offered to purchase them if they had any value. I wanted to clean them up and possibly test fire them if appropriate. The Baretta turned out to be a 1915 in poor shape. (Paper weight)

The Colt was a different story. The weapon had belonged to his Uncle, a WWII Veteran. The Colt had not been fired in more than 30 years and in fact was coated in cosmoline.

The weapon cleaned up quite nicely with no pits or problems with the barrel.

I took it to the range and put 25 rounds through it. I lost track of 6 rounds, they probably went through the hole in the middle of a tight group.

Here are some facts I've been trying to research on the web:

"P" near Mag release
"S" Field Service Stamp by Disconnector
"RS"& "G" on top rear of Receiver
Hammer Type 4 Wide Spur
Checkered Mainspring Housing
* The Bad *
Barrel not Original? Blued with no marks on lugs only small mark on top
Walnut Grips Right Springfield, Left Remmington
Ugh!!! Serial Number on Receiver (ends in 3) and Slide (ends in 2)

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Need a good 1911.......copy ....Argentine or ruger...Just want it to work like my other G.I. 1911....Charlie

Does anyone know where i can get a new rear sight for my 1914 Commercial Government Model? I'm in the UK.

I want to replace a broken after-market one so it can be either original style or after-market.

BTW, I'm looking for solid information. That is say a supplier that has them in stock and is willing to ship them, rather than: "why don't you try xyz"

BTW, if NSA are monitoring this and passing it to GCHQ I have a Section 7 FAC.

Here is a pretty neat pistol. It is one of the very last pistols to have an R.S. inspection mark and one of the first to have a W.B. inspection mark. It's a Colt that was shipped 21 November 1941.

The R.S. marking is on the top of the receiver and serves as the Provisional Inspection. The W.B. serves as the Final Inspection. Mr. Clawson states Col. Broberg replaced Col. Sears as Army Inspector of Ordnance for the Hartford Ordnance District on 1 July 1941, which is actually just a couple weeks prior to when Colt switched from blue to Parkerized finish. However, Colt M1911A1 pistols were still R.S. final inspected up to about s/n 750500 in November.

Perhaps new dies for the inspectors took a while? Anyway, this was the earliest W.B. final inspected pistol Mr. Clawson had observed at the printing of his 3rd Edition Collector's Guide. He had owned this pistol for several years before I acquired it from him.

I've seen a few others with the R.S./W.B. inspections. As I recall, they've all been in the 750xxx serial range.

Today was a memorable day. My dad would have been 88 yrs. old today. We lost him a couple years ago. He was a WWII Marine Corps vet. He turned 18 yrs. years old 70 years ago today.

Here are a couple of other ol' U.S.M.C. vets. Thought I'd shoot a few new photos and show them. They are consecutively serial numbered pistols produced for and shipped to the U.S. Navy in 1939. I owned 714139 several years before buying 714140 a few years ago at a gun show. That was an interesting show. I bought another 1917 Colt M1911 consecutively numbered to one I already owned at the same show.

These two pistols are direct hits in the SRS database. I contacted Charlie Pate in 2005 and had him retrieve the records from the National Archives, provide them and a letter for 714139. Charlie told me at that time "combat troops" typically referred to Marine Corps personnel. The pistols are two of four consecutively serial numbered Colts originally assigned to the SS W.H. Libby.

On 26 May 1943, those four pistols were transferred from the Libby for combat troops in the PTO. I've included photos of SRS hit from their old web site and a photo of the letter Charlie wrote when he was the Historian at SRS.

714139 is much better condition than 714140. They both, however, show some honest wear and use. 714140 may have picked up some use in later years (don't know), but 714139 only displays a little wear from a M1916 holster around the serial number.

I'd been busy all day and just had a chance to post. So I'm a little late for a Memorial Day celebration, but still wanted to share the photos and the story about the guns and my dad. Thanks.

714139



714140



The pair together



Another ol' Marine in his prime...70 years ago!


A little paperwork

Attachment 43407Attachment 43424Attachment 43423Attachment 43422Attachment 43421Attachment 43420Attachment 43419Attachment 43418Attachment 43417Attachment 43416Attachment 43415Attachment 43414Attachment 43413Attachment 43412Attachment 43411Attachment 43410Attachment 43409Attachment 43408Attachment 43425Looks to be all orig.

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Going through some stuff in my den, and found my Fort Ord DA Form 2818, "Firearms Authorization Card" for my issue Remington Rand 1911A1, from January, 1976. The serial Number listed on it is 1564686. Since I was in Military Police Investigations, the back has an endorsement to carry it concealed. Also foun the one for my 2" Model 10 S&W .38 Special.

Boy would I like to find that Remington Rand! At Oakland Army Base where I was stationed before that I was issued an Ithaca. I'll post pics later today.

I've purchased a cartridge, which looked similiar to those which were used for the Kongsberg .22 System. Comparing it to the Kongsberg cartridge, it turned out to be different (and also not fitting into the Kongsberg chamber).

Does anyone here know for which system this cartridge was thought and used? Pictures show the cartridge compared to a Kongsberg (Kongsberg is Top one on first picture).

Thanks!

Attachment 43072

Attachment 43073

Attachment 43074

Attachment 43075

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Hello,
any idea what was the holster for Russian Colt 1911???
K31/43

Well, I got my Rock Island 1911A1 that I am going to carry as a duty weapon "out of jail" this morning. Decided that it had to be a little more "WW-IIish" to go with my M1 Carbines. First thing I did was to loose the glossy wood grips. I had a pair of NOS post war USGI brown plastic grips that I installed. Next was the hammer. I had a USGI wide spur 1911A1 hammer kicking around in my parts drawer that needed a home, so I installed it. Last to go was the flat mainspring housing. I had a parkerized, ribbed, arched mainspring housing (with no lanyard) that was also in my junk. I'd love to have a GI one with a lanyard ring on it, but I just can't justify $60-75 for one, just for looks, with an appendage on it that I will not use on it!

The Rock Island already has a marvelous trigger pull straight from the box, so the only thing remaining is to polish the feed ramp.

Pardon my cell phone pictures. Better ones later.

Before:


After:


WIde spur hammer:

We know what looks like the USGI kraft M1911A1 boxes of the five manufacturers from WWII, but I've never seen any M1911 US Army boxes of WWI.
Are anyone seen such item?
Thanks for answers

I have a Colt 1911 that I want to know year it was made. serial number is 266266 I bought it 30 years ago to have one. any one Know?

If you search the history of firearms, you would be hard pressed to find another weapon, especially a handgun, that has been in full utility and popularity for over 100 years. Another Colt, the 1873 "Peacemaker" has the longevity, but nowhere near the proliferation of the venerable 1911. Even the M-1 Carbine, going strong for 71 years, isn't a close competitor.

While it now has variations with polymer and swelled, double stack mag bodies, the basic weapon and design are relatively unchanged for over a century.

I am not a 1911 aficionado, though I first carried one when I was 22, in 1974 as an MP. I shot Expert and was fond of it immediately. Since then I have owned and used a variety of 1911 variants (Remington Rand, several Auto Ordnances, a Rock Island, and several Para Ordnance double stack) , both personal, and occasionally as a LEO duty weapon (though "cocked and locked semi's were generally not authorized)..

As my gun buying years are starting to fade, a 1911 was one I had to own again.

I recently picked up a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 to carry as a duty sidearm (replacing my S&W model 469 9mm) for my high country "Critical Infrastructure Protection" contract. I actually had a RI before, and it was a great weapon. It ate everything I fed it , was accurate, and never had a malfunction. I sold it in a moment of stupidity about 3 or 4 years ago to buy something else. At $525 out the door for this one, I can live with it not saying COLT or REMINGTON.

I got the military model with gray parkerized finish and military sights to go with my USGI M1 Carbines, original Boyt 1942 holster, 1944 Avery 1911 mag pouch, and 1936 belt.

First thing I did was get some GI brown plastic grips (to replace the ugly smooth wood ones it came with), and an arched mainspring housing (without lanyard loop) to make it look a little more USGI. The grips are post war, but that's OK, as it is just for utility and looks. I also have some nice checkered walnut, but can't see banging them up getting in and out of the patrol jeep.

My questions are these:

1) When did they switch to the wide spur hammer on the 1911A1? I have seen 1911A1s with both narrow and wide spurs. Years ago I had an original Remington Rand in the pasteboard box, and it had a narrow spur. (I wish I still had that one too!)

2) Did the 1911A1s with the arched mainspring housing all have lanyard loops on the mainspring housing? I have seen them both ways: with and without. My Ithaca 1911A1 I had when I was in the MPs did not have one.

Thanks in advance.

I have a question regarding an early (pinned, two-tone) unmarked magazine pictured below:



The upper, normally bare steel portion of this type of mag has in this case a red-brown coating that would suggest unintentional rusting. However, this layer is so even and fine, I have second thoughts. There is absolutely no scabbing, blotching or pitting. Other than the color, it looks like an intentionally applied surface, like an ultra-fine parkerization (again, color aside). Is this indeed just post-manufacture rust that I can remove without remorse? TIA!

Here for your viewing pleasure are photos of my WWI RAF British military proofed Colt 1911. It was one of 400 pistols shipped to Captain Sir Connop Guthrie, Pier 60, North River NY NY on March 12, 1918. Guthrie was the Special Representative for the British Ministry of Shipping in the U.S. and a member of the U.S. Shipping Commission in 1918. It has the view mark for G.W.R. Steadman, British Inspector at the Colt New Haven Factory and the British Broad Arrow and Crossed Pennant military acceptance marks. Serial number is W 100744.

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This is obviously not a 1911 holster. I have never seen one like it but it is obviously "Mills". It resembles somewhat the Mills holsters used by the Navy and Marines for their .38 DA revolvers. Can anyone help ID it? THANKS .Attachment 41498Attachment 41499

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Here for your viewing pleasure are photos of my WWI British-proofed .45ACP Colt Government Model pistol C 13731 which was 1 of 300 shipped to the London Armoury Company on November 18 1914. The London Commercial proof and view marks (Crown/V and Crown/intertwined GP) are visible on top of barrel and on left side of slide above Rampant Colt and left side of frame below thumb safety. The accompanying US Model 1912 holster is marked 1st LT G C Wilkins. The owner of this pistol was 1st Lt George Carl Wilkins, a 1918 Harvard Graduate. He entered Officers' Training Camp at Plattsburg NY in May 1917; commissioned 1st Lt Infantry August 15; assigned to 301st Machine Gun Battalion, 76th Division and sailed for France July 8, 1918. He was transferred to the 146th Machine Gun Battalion, 41st Division on November 9 1918 and returned to the U.S. on February 25, 1919. He t ransferred to the 153rd Depot Brigade, Camp Dix on 27 February and was discharged on 25 May 1919.

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Based on the serial number, this pistol should have been shipped to Springfield Armory in December 1944. However, the original boxed C and D marked barrel indicates perhaps the pistol may have been completed later...that, and the fact that it does not have, and never did have, any Ordnance final inspection or Ordnance Acceptance crossed cannons applied.

That could indicate the pistol was not completed in time to be shipped to the U.S. government. In this case, only a Colt factory letter might indicate why the pistol lacks the inspection and acceptance marks. The next time I order letters, I will get one for this pistol. Hopefully, they will be able to letter it.

Some pistols without Ordnance inspection and acceptance marks were shipped to the U.S. government for military use. I have another such Colt documented to the U.S.S. Tisdale, a WWII Destroyer Escort. Colt wasn't the only manufacturer to have some pistols slip through without inspection and acceptance marks. I have an early Du-Lite blue Ithaca the same way.

Additionally, I have 3 other pistols without the markings, but they are authentic lunchbox pistols. Two Ithacas lack serial numbers and others markings. One Colt has a very late serial number (possibly post-WWII) and even lacks the VP, factory inspector and assembly marks, too. Colt doesn't even have a record of ever producing that pistol.

It just goes to show there are a few exceptions to the rules now and then. This pistol has the late Parko-Lubrite finish and is entirely original. The VP, factory inspector and assembler marks are struck after finish, and all other features of the pistol indicate a standard military production pistol...except for the lack of the G.H.D. and Crossed Cannons.

I just became the proud owner of my first 1911A1. :thup: Other that it was manufactured in 1943, I don't know much about its history. :confused: Any inputs from the esperts would be appreciated :)




[IMG]http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/DanieBellingan/2


---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

What does the anchor stamp on the RH side of the frame, above the trigger guard mean?

Anyone needing a Colt lanyard loop magazine with that pleasing been there, done that look? This isn't one of those safe queens.

Original Colt 1911 Magazine with Lanyard Loop | eBay

I have a 1911-A1 that began to act up (seize). The slide began to not close completely/not at all. I disassembled it and found that the lug had increased in width and was causing the problem. I filed the slight flange that was forming and things went back to normal I do not use warm loads; casts in fact...the RCBS 225 grain RN with 4.0 grains of Red Dot, but it appears that some "battering" was taking place. What is the recommended remedy for treating this? A stiffer recoil spring or a "buffer"? Is it a commonplace occurrence with 1911's? Thanks for any advice. J. Cooper

Since I have only the one collectable 1911 and at this point not (yet?) the compulsion to increase the flock, I haven't invested in The Book. So if I could, I'd like to ask for the good graces of more involved collectors as to the ID of the two items below I recently obtained. Might someone be able to relate the date (or date range) of manufacture of the two tone magazine, and perhaps the manufacturer? (The pinned plate is unmarked.) Also, the other small item was described as an old 1911 take down tool. It appears to be either rust blued or fire blued. Any confirmations or denials? If the former, any guess as to the date and manufacturer (it exhibits no identifying marks)? Thanks in advance for all informed responses! :)

This Government Model is out of the largest group of pistols delivered to the Argentine Navy during the 1930's, being one of 600 in a 1935 order. A little more than 1000 were purchased in several small groups during this decade, plus another couple of orders around 1940 or so.




It appears that the slide stop has been replaced, but it is a pre-WWII mfg. variant.

More photos coming if Photobucket will cooperate.:banghead:

Moved to a different computer- seems to have done the trick...

Here's a slightly different angle. Looks almost like completely different pistol!




Most of these pistols will have the crest, but it seems to depend on the group in which they were shipped.

I am completely new on 1911s, and I ran into a .455 Webley Auto 1911 from somewhere around 1918 probably. Serial is 62.xxx. I've read up on them and found out about their interesting history. But do you think this pistol would be worth picking up? The price is ok, around a few hundreds more than a "vanilla" 1911 from the same period here in my area (Northern Europe). Regular ones go for around 1-1200€, this is 1400€.
I think the pistol has been re-blued at some point; could this have been done by the British back then? What do you think of originality/collectors value/price etc?

Thanks!!

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Another one i didn't even know he had..

Enjoy

1912 Production Sieral NO 185X USN with matching slide... wow..

Anyone know who B.G. is?

1944 Colt M1903 560049

Original and unaltered. Colt Model 1903 No. 560049 shipped Aug. 11, 1944 to the O.S.S. and later purchased in Nanking, China by Major Ralph L. Powell, USMC, serial number O-1555267, after WWII ended. Dr. John Brunner, author and former O.S.S. operative, informed me the purchase receipt resembles the one he received in China about the same time. The shoulder holster is unmarked and typical to what was carried at that time.






The DWM German ammo is identical (same lot number) to that issued to Dr. Brunner in China in 1945. Dr. Brunner told me the O.S.S. was cut off behind Japanese lines and forced to find ammunition on the Chinese market.



Finally, after several years, online research resulted in some findings for the identity of Major Ralph L. Powell. I found where a Dr. Ralph L. Powell testified before Congress in 1966 regarding China. In the congressional records, I found Powell's testimony and his biography. Dr. Powell served in the United States Marine Corps 1941-1948. He was an expert with the Chinese language and served as Senior Reporting Officer, Office of the Naval Attache, China in 1946-1947. He was retired for wounds in 1948 and authored multiple books over the next several years, all dealing with China and their military development and power.

Here is a link to the information online, with Dr. Powell's testimony: http://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualar...tem=2184814013 When you arrive at the site, just click on the first PDF file shown. Then, scroll down and read through page 7 to see the information on Dr. Powell. There are several other listings for him online regarding the various books and articles he authored. Here is the biography for Dr. Powell that is shown on that site.

This biography shows he served in China 1946-47.

Further online research led me to a Foreign Service list of those serving, by country, for the U.S. Dept. of State in the year 1947. Listed as serving in China as Assistant Naval Attache (assigned 5 March 1946) and Assistant Naval Attache for Air is Major Ralph L. Powell.


This finding verifies Dr. Powell held the rank Major in the Marine Corps while serving in China 1946-47. I seriously doubt there was another Major Ralph L. Powell serving in China at the same time who might have purchased this pistol.

I've owned the pistol for several years. I lettered it and corresponded with Dr. Brunner in 2006. I had assumed, until recently, that Major Powell was assigned to the OSS. It's nice to finally know who he was.

Another one from my uncles collection

1911 A1 WW2 Union Switch

Bore is VG+

If you guys have read my m1 carbine thread and fighting knives, my uncle has just passed. He had many collectible colts/ WW1/ WW2/ Winchester etc fire arms.

I don't know much about these... my collection is mostly Russian /eastern block.

Here is a 1911 with a 1918 fighting knives. I have a few more to post in this section. Please state what you think of them and your opinion on conidtion, authenticity, value. We don't plan on selling them, but wish to know what the experts think.


Best Regards,

Spaxspore