Early transitional 1912 Colt M1911 s/n 4415

[Scott Gahimer]

This pistol was shipped from Colt to San Antonio Arsenal 22 June 1912. So it was 100 years old last Friday. Like many others that ripe old age, it didn't really get out and party...just celebrated quietly at home. There were only ca. 1390 total Colt M1911 pistols with the specific characteristics of this one. The primary reason I purchased this pistol years ago was to have not only another nice 1st year Colt, but because this pistol has the 2nd variation magazine lock that is so rarely seen. Here are a few photos I took today.

Information

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[Scott Gahimer]

Sorry, just realized there was a typo in my post. There were only about 1310 (not 1390) such pistols. Didn't see an "edit" button.

[mpd1978]

Scott
How were the serial numbers applied to these early guns, through the finish it appears-but were they stamped or applied with a roll die?

[Scott Gahimer]

They were stamped, not applied with a roll die.

[VinnAY]

I think the idiot scratch just made me physical ill

[Scott Gahimer]

You apparently haven't collected military M1911 and M1911A1 pistols very long, or perhaps do not collect vintage pistols at all. That's just normal wear and tear on a military pistol that was used. They weren't collectible 100 years ago; they were just an issued weapon. The GI takedown scratch is present, to some degree, on a lot of military pistols. I don't generally think of those who served and perhaps defended this country as "idiots".

Today, there are a lot of commercial pistol manufacturers who make M1911-type pistols that were never used in the military. "Idiot scratch" is a modern day term that surfaced in the last 10+/- years, as many new users entered the M1911-type pistol market. Many who use that term don't know any better because they never served with the M1911 as their duty weapon. They are unfamiliar with the training methods used by the military. Many never served at all and have not taken into consideration the circumstances the soldier may have been in when the pistol was disassembled and reassembled.

I was an Army MP when the .45 was our standard duty weapon. I taught at the Army MP School and know how troops were instructed to reassemble the pistol. We trained people blindfolded and required them to break down and reassemble pistols in a set period of time to simulate darkness and duress. We taught students to apply downward pressure on the slide stop against the receiver as it was being reinstalled to assure it would positively lock into place, and not slip past the notch.

This pistol was purchased years ago, out of the woodwork. It had been brought home with someone and never used again after he served our country. I seriously doubt that soldier was an idiot. The pistol had been properly cared for over a period of more than 80 years by him and his family. No parts had ever been changed and there was no active rust anywhere on the pistol. I don't know the history of the pistol other than that. I believe the scratch to be old. The pistol was used. It shows use and handling. I don't know the circumstances of the service this pistol may have seen, but it looks just like it should...scratch and all.

I admit, it's nice to find new condition military pistols. However, there aren't too many early 1st year pistols around that don't show at least normal wear and tear. Rarer variations as this are even tougher to find. Until a better example comes along, I'll just have to be content with this one. Thanks.

[Johnny Peppers]

The real idiot scratch is when someone tried to pry the slide stop out with a screwdriver, and that failing, tried to beat it out from the other side. A GI would have know you don't take them down that way.

This is a good example of what a persistent idiot can do. The receiver shows pry marks under the slide stop on the other side, and shows where he tried to beat the slide stop out. If you look under the 1911, you can see where he had the slide back while he was beating on it. Not only that, but he tried to punch out the disconnector and hammer pins, and the safety lock. Not to give up, he tried to "unscrew" the magazine catch lock.

[VinnAY]

I agree with you that the scratch is pretty much part of the life of a service pistol...my comment was meant to reflect that it's tragic to be on a pistol of such vintage. That's all.

[Scott Gahimer]

I think I understand what you meant. I'm simply trying to explain it is not tragic. In fact, it is normal wear and tear on a military pistol. But I appreciate that you apparently like the pistol. Thanks.

[dbarn]

I'm just amazed that an example like yours has survived 100 years to be in such excellent condition.

It obviously was not left under the front seat of a pickup truck.

Someone did not use it as a range gun and shoot it till the parts broke.

Bubba has not been anywhere around this one.

A person would be considered lucky to find a first year production Colt under any of the above circumstances; much less one in museum quality condition as this piece most certainly is. Thanks for sharing.

You have got to absolutely love the blue finish of that era.