Early transitional 1912 Colt M1911 s/n 4415

[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.

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