Added a new WWI 1911 (mfg 1912)

[lkgmadmax]

Hi Guys:

I've added a new piece to my collection in the form of a US Army Model 1911 shipped to the Antonio Arsenal on November 19, 1912. The pistol was issued to Major Leon Edgar Smith. The pistol accompanied him through his career and has stayed in his family since his death in 1952 until just recently.

I've been busy researching the original owner. The pistol recently was sold by the family and I secured it from a dealer.

The pistol belonged to: Major Leon Edgar Smith
Born Dec 10th, 1882
Died: Jan 10th, 1952

Major Smith Saw Duty in 1916 on the Mexican border involving Pancho Villa’s raid on Columbus, New Mexico while in the 3rd Infantry, Ohio National Guard.

Active Duty: Aug 5th, 1917 148th Infantry of Ohio
Action: Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys offenses at Recicourt and Avocourt. He was exposed to Gas while on the Western Front and was later honorably discharged from the Military June 30th, 1919.

Exciting stuff!

Attaching a link to some pictures of the pistol.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11044...CMLDo7TC48vZOQ

Thanks for looking!
David

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Nice, nice, nice...early pistol. Nice find and definitely one we'd all like to have ourselves. Carried in the punitive expedition no less. Good history of the man and pistol...

[lkgmadmax]

Nice, nice, nice...early pistol. Nice find and definitely one we'd all like to have ourselves. Carried in the punitive expedition no less. Good history of the man and pistol...

Thank you Jim!

[AZPhil]

Great looking 1911 with an awesome history behind it.Congrat's!
Semper Fi
Phil

[Harlan (Deceased)]

It doesn't get much better than that lkgmadmax

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

~ Harlan

[lkgmadmax]

Thank you guys!

[lkgmadmax]

The Ohio National Guard Historian was able to provide some early years information on Major Smith prior to WWI that I didn't have as well as a couple of pictures.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11044...KmGm-X3-NHdjgE

Attached are 2 photos. The big photo is the officers of the 148th Infantry
taken at Camp Sheridan, Alabama in 1918 and is from the Illustrated Review of
the 148th United States National Guard. Major Smith is #4. I also attached a
close up scan of Major Smith from the photo. From the Ohio World War I roster
books it states he was born in Phillipsburg, Ohio on December 10, 1881.

The 1912 Adjutant General Annual Report shows him in command of Company K, 3rd
Infantry (ONG). His service is indicated as: Enlisted as Private in Co. K, 3rd
Inf., Feb. 27, 1901; appointed Corporal July 25, 1901; appointed Sergeant,
June 4, 1902; discharged as a Sergeant, February 26, 1904; expiration term of
service; re-enlisted Feb. 28, 1904, and warrant as Sergeant continued;
discharged July 18, 1905 to accept a commission as second Lieutenant Co. K,
3rd Inf; elected and commissioned First Lieutenant, Co. K, 3rd Inf., Jan. 16,
1906; elected and commissioned Captain, Co. K, 3rd Inf., March 21, 1907.

The 3rd was mustered into Federal service for duty along the Mexico Border.
The regiment mobilized at Dayton on June 19, 1916 and was ordered to Camp
Willis at Columbus, going into camp there July 4. On 7 September the regiment
began moving to Camp Pershing at El Paso, Texas, at which point the regiment
arrived on 11 September. On March 23d the regiment was ordered to Fort Riley,
Kansas to be mustered out, but en route received orders at Pratt, Kansas to
proceed to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Three days after arriving at Fort
Benjamin Harrison the regiment received orders to guard public utilities at
certain points in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. The regiment
remained on this duty until the 13th of August when it was ordered to
Chillicothe, Ohio for guard duty in connection with the erection there of a
cantonment, which later became known as Camp Sherman. The regiment remained
there until October 21st, when it received orders to entrain for Camp
Sheridan, located at Montgomery, Alabama.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Very cool!

[Mikesm44]

The Ohio National Guard Historian was able to provide some early years information on Major Smith prior to WWI that I didn't have as well as a couple of pictures.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11044...KmGm-X3-NHdjgE

Attached are 2 photos. The big photo is the officers of the 148th Infantry
taken at Camp Sheridan, Alabama in 1918 and is from the Illustrated Review of
the 148th United States National Guard. Major Smith is #4. I also attached a
close up scan of Major Smith from the photo. From the Ohio World War I roster
books it states he was born in Phillipsburg, Ohio on December 10, 1881.

The 1912 Adjutant General Annual Report shows him in command of Company K, 3rd
Infantry (ONG). His service is indicated as: Enlisted as Private in Co. K, 3rd
Inf., Feb. 27, 1901; appointed Corporal July 25, 1901; appointed Sergeant,
June 4, 1902; discharged as a Sergeant, February 26, 1904; expiration term of
service; re-enlisted Feb. 28, 1904, and warrant as Sergeant continued;
discharged July 18, 1905 to accept a commission as second Lieutenant Co. K,
3rd Inf; elected and commissioned First Lieutenant, Co. K, 3rd Inf., Jan. 16,
1906; elected and commissioned Captain, Co. K, 3rd Inf., March 21, 1907.

The 3rd was mustered into Federal service for duty along the Mexico Border.
The regiment mobilized at Dayton on June 19, 1916 and was ordered to Camp
Willis at Columbus, going into camp there July 4. On 7 September the regiment
began moving to Camp Pershing at El Paso, Texas, at which point the regiment
arrived on 11 September. On March 23d the regiment was ordered to Fort Riley,
Kansas to be mustered out, but en route received orders at Pratt, Kansas to
proceed to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Three days after arriving at Fort
Benjamin Harrison the regiment received orders to guard public utilities at
certain points in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. The regiment
remained on this duty until the 13th of August when it was ordered to
Chillicothe, Ohio for guard duty in connection with the erection there of a
cantonment, which later became known as Camp Sherman. The regiment remained
there until October 21st, when it received orders to entrain for Camp
Sheridan, located at Montgomery, Alabama.

I like how he's the only one with his arms folded. It looks like he's thinking "seriously? Come on, guys. I've got stuff to do."

Amazing pistol. It's in better shape than my WWII era ones even. Thanks for sharing this slice of history.

[lkgmadmax]

Thanks Mike, I was thinking the same about his folded arms This must have been taken just before the 148th headed overseas. Thanks for the comments on the pistol, I was pleased to get it especially with it's history.