Colt 1911 shipped to AEF

Question for those far more knowledgeable on this subject than me.....

From Clawson’s book and other references, it appears Colt 1911’s during the WWI years were shipped directly to Springfield Armory. However, every once in a while I see a 1911 with a factory letter that says it was shipped to AEF in France from a port in New Jersey. So does this mean they completely by-passed Springfield Armory and if so, what would be the reason for this? Thanks for your time.

weren't OFFICERS still expected to purchase their own sidearms at this time? I know I have read British Officers still being required to buy their own, from government approved lists. But not sure when America stopped that practice.

I know the US Navy still had officers pay into their own food stores every week.into the 40s

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Originally Posted by mojalajab

So does this mean they completely by-passed Springfield Armory and if so, what would be the reason for this?

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That's my thought too, the men that private purchased a weapon wouldn't have had it go through ordnance approval.

Going to post this as a new thread, but heads up for those who dare to be dazzled...

HOLY GRAIL OF COLT 1911 U.S. ARMY .45ACP PISTOLS - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 805854776

Yep, nice gun. Then you need the book by Clawson to show off as well...

Yes, Colt shipped new M1911 pistols Directly to the AEF's Armory at Greenville Piers, New Jersey - the Port of Embarkation for the AEF. I have a Colt that was thus shipped in the first week of January, 1918. (217,xxx number if I remember right.) I believe there was another M1911 book (not Godwin, Clausen) that had this listing.

The gun looks like it got sent "Over There", and perhaps the owner was perhaps a mite too busy for daily cleaning and oiling - almost new inside, some light frosting of the bore and very nice except for a few surface pits in areas where it might have lived in a wet M1916 holster until November, 1918. Never rebuilt, so it might have come home in someone's pack. CC

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Originally Posted by Col. Colt

Yes, Colt shipped new M1911 pistols Directly to the AEF's Armory at Greenville Piers, New Jersey - the Port of Embarkation for the AEF. I have a Colt that was thus shipped in the first week of January, 1918. (217,xxx number if I remember right.) I believe there was another M1911 book (not Godwin, Clausen) that had this listing.

The gun looks like it got sent "Over There", and perhaps the owner was perhaps a mite too busy for daily cleaning and oiling - almost new inside, some light frosting of the bore and very nice except for a few surface pits in areas where it might have lived in a wet M1916 holster until November, 1918. Never rebuilt, so it might have come home in someone's pack. CC

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Mine was also shipped the first week in January 1918. January 3rd to be exact. Serial No. 218XXX.

Thanks for the background information.