Lookee what walked into the Spokane gunshow!!!!

On Feb. 11th, 1918, Colt shipped 1,600 1911s to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Almost all went to ships, and this falls into the USS CALIFORNIA group! It will take some more research, but what a find!!! The gentleman who brough it in said that it had been in his family for many years, and none had an interest in it!!! This is one of the last Brushed Blue Colts and is JMG inspected!!

Dang, life is GOOD!!!

I SURE DID!!!

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Real nice John. But I thought the Navy guns were marked Model of 1911 U.S. NAVY? I do not know much at all on these and am just wondering if the Navy guns were marked as such in the 1918 time frame.

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Originally Posted by Bruce McAskill

Real nice John. But I thought the Navy guns were marked Model of 1911 U.S. NAVY? I do not know much at all on these and am just wondering if the Navy guns were marked as such in the 1918 time frame.

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The last Navy marked Colt was 110000. All 1911s were marked U. S. ARMY after that...The Colt above was in a shipment of 1,600 guns that were shipped to the Navy in 1918 and they are Army marked!!! Later 1911s and 1911A1s that went to the Navy are hard to identify!!!

John,

If I may ask, how much do you pay for such a piece as you seem to buy a lot at those gunshows. And a really nice looking piece, as usual with your 1911s ;) . And let me know which source you're using to find out which S/N has been shipped to where.

Thank you John for the information as I didn't know but do now.

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Originally Posted by Promo

John,
If I may ask, how much do you pay for such a piece as you seem to buy a lot at those gunshows.

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I've never known what John did for a living before he retired, but whatever it was he was obviously extremely good at it! ;)

Harlan, I believe that John served 20 years plus in the Navy. He was an E-8 or E-9. John , am I correct? Bill Hughes

Thanks Bill. I've followed John's posts for many years but never asked him outright. The fabulous 1911's he posts as well as his professional level photography are like a gift and it never really mattered to me what he did to be so successful. His knowledge and expertise on all the navy 1911's did seem to come from a Navy background but I never knew.

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Originally Posted by Harlan

Thanks Bill. I've followed John's posts for many years but never asked him outright. The fabulous 1911's he posts as well as his professional level photography are like a gift and it never really mattered to me what he did to be so successful. His knowledge and expertise on all the navy 1911's did seem to come from a Navy background but I never knew.

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I served in the US NAVY from 1950-1970. I retired as an E-7 CPO. I spent most of my Naval Service flying, most notably as an Enlisted Bombardier/Navigator in the Douglas A3D Skywarrior. I flew over 3,000 hrs and made over 300 carrier landings and cat shots!!! I served in Vietnam, was wounded twice and recieved a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
I have attached a link to one of my adventures in 'Nam...

After retirement I spent many years as a Computer Engineer for GE, installing and maintaining computers in travel agencies and airports on a contract for American Airlines. My father was a South Texas sheriff and I began a love for the 1911, as I started shooting his Colt Government Model at 8 years old! BTW, I still have his old Colt!

I have suffered two mild strokes, but by golly, I have proven VERY HARD TO KILL!!!!!

I moved to Missoula, MT in April because I wanted to live here! I am currently writing an autobiography plus a photo book of the 1911s I have collected. So I stay busy!!!!!! Anyway, thanks for asking. I have led an interesting and exciting life, and am still going strong.......

If You're Serious, Get A .45! The Colt M1911A1 in Combat

Here is a photo of me and my father of my first deer in Sinton, Texas, and I still own the Winchester!!


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thank you john , i think there are a lot of us that have enjoyed your great posts and appreciated your valuable input who have wondered a bit , i knew of some because of friends over the years that shared , but this puts a more rounded face on it all ,

good health and much success

Is the information you give on where shipped to private or proprietary ? I have 233585 which is supposed to be navy. Alas, it was rebuilt and parked and has the wrong period slide on it.

thats one perty "ol ugly" great find:clap:

Colt 1911, serial number 233585 was shipped to the Navy in the same 1600 pistol shipment as the one John posted above.

John,
Courageous action, well done.
How did you get that 1911 home?

i've got a 94 winnie too... passed down through the family by the original purchaser.... the serial number is a hand- stamped 5 digit serial in the 65xxx series, and at least one serial site says it was made in 1896. that fits the family records.
along with the flip-up sight on the barrel, it has a factory installed flip-up post sight rearward of the hammer. as much as i yearn to take my son out shooting with it, and despite the claim thyat the nickel-steel barrel is for smokeless powder, i'm leery of putting any modern loads through it.