GARDE D'HAITI -- One of 50 1911's imported by Haiti in 1939

Hello,

I'd like to share some photos of a rather uncommon 1911 imported by Haiti in 1939.

The pistol is all original and shows the expected wear from tropical service in the Caribbean. The pistol is still mechanically sound including the original magazine and barrel.

The only information I've been able to find on this pistol to date is on Page 154 of Charles Clawson's well known book 'Colt .45 Government Models'. On this page, Clawson states:

"The Republic of Haiti imported 50 pistols in 1939 roll marked GARDE D'HAITI."

This is a recent purchase that mysteriously came out of Canadian estate. How this pistol ended up in Canada I have no idea. Since acquiring the gun I haven't been able to find any other surviving examples. I'm searching for any information on this pistol and any other known surviving examples.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c2ff56_c-1.jpg

The most important detail:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...70b63d_c-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...af0610_c-1.jpg

Matching numbered slide, lots of grease on the firing pin and firing pin retaining wall:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0baa33_z-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e2c3f5_z-1.jpg

The pistol still has rather strong condition internally. The barrel is still in rather nice shape, with correct markings and polished hood:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c54ea5_z-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...73a285_z-1.jpg

Two-tone pinned base 'COLT 45 AUTO' magazine that I believe is original to the pistol:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3739b6_z-1.jpg

Any information on this pistol would be greatly appreciated. Any comments are also welcome.

Thanks,
-Steve

Very nice old gun. Typical holster wear for a tropical country. All that humidity had caused some rust where it contacted leather.

I would certainly get the historical letter from Colt.

Does it have the Swartz safety intact?

Thanks for the comments Jim and Johnny.

Johnny, this pistol does not have the Schwartz safety. I believe they were not common until C 190000, and I suppose Haiti could have requested to not have that feature.

I agree that a Colt letter would be worthwhile on this one.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c671d8_c-1.jpg

Everything on the pistol appears original and intact.

Cheers,
-Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve1987

Thanks for the comments Jim and Johnny.

Johnny, this pistol does not have the Schwartz safety. I believe they were not common until C 190000, and I suppose Haiti could have requested to not have that feature.

I agree that a Colt letter would be worthwhile on this one.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c671d8_c-1.jpg

Everything on the pistol appears original and intact.

Cheers,
-Steve

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The first Government Model with the Swartz safety was in the C185000 serial number range.

Hi Johnny,

Paul Szymaszek at Colt archives e-mailed me the details of what's contained on the Colt letter:

"Hi Steven,

Here are the details on Colt Government Model, serial number C187964. It is a standard spec gun, so .45 with a 5’’ barrel, blue finish, and the grips were not listed on the record. Under factory order number 8502, we marked the guns “Garde d’ Haiti” on the right hand side of the slide. The guns were shipped to the Garde d’ Haiti, Republic of Haiti, in New York, NY (not sure why the address is that way, maybe they had a government rep purchase them here or something). Shipped in a 50 gun shipment on June 23, 1939. Very cool gun. Let me know if you have any questions."

I'm happy the Colt letter was able to confirm what was suspected. Money well spent in this case.

Over the phone I also asked Paul if he knows of any others and he hasn't seen one before.

Cheers,
-Steve

Wow. That is cool.

You just know that it is correct, and the Colt letter is the icing on the cake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve1987

The guns were shipped to the Garde d’ Haiti, Republic of Haiti, in New York, NY

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If it's marked that way, my guess would be they were delivered to the consular offices of the embassy, which have been in NY since before 1939.