Colt m1911 Russian Contract ?

[browningautorifle]

Norwegian Kongsberg Colt 1914 holster.

Good...doubt the Russians used it either.

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.

[Bruce McAskill]

In reality the contract was not a Russian contract. It was one commissioned by the British. That is why the left side of the frame is marked in Cyrillic English Order. there were 51,000 made under this English contract. Then the Russians ordered another 15,000 directly from Colt. These are not marked in Cyrillic. Both contracts were in the commercial serial number range. The serial numbers were used at random.

[painter777]

Cool gun site shows a 1916,
Reading the info..... Is this one from the batch linked below ?

Go to:
http://www.coolgunsite.com/

Then click on 1911 Gallery, scroll down to Gov model 1916 C59xxx

[SilverVeteran]

Cool gun site shows a 1916,
Reading the info..... Is this one from the batch linked below ?

Nice find ! I don't know if this is from the same batch since my m1911 serial is 7000 lower. Everything else matches though. Still this number 1 in my M1911 serial puzzles me... it is much bigger than the number 1 in this linked m1911 serial ?
If I understand correctly this link says these m1911 were shipped without holsters ?

[painter777]

Like BAR said.... That number 1 was more than likely a nice new 1 die stamp.
I've seen pictures of Colt .45's and S&W Revolvers being handed out in old pictures with them in the box. That way the instructions, cleaning rod etc were all together.

Your serial number (IIRC) falls with in the batch sent over seas per that link.

[Bruce McAskill]

SilverVeteren's pistol is one of the 51,000 made under the British order as it is marked on the left side of the frame English Order in Cyrillic. Now the one Charlie found is not from the same contract. IF it is a Russian gun then it's from the second contract made directly with the Russian government. BUT the problem is the serial numbers were all used at random for the second 15,000 in the second contract and they look like a standard Colt commercial pistol. A letter to Colt may be able to say yes or no to it being a Russian contract. The letters are not cheap but can be worth it. There are fakes out there as it is an uncommon and can be a valuable pistol to find especially in the second contract.

[SilverVeteran]

A letter to Colt may be able to say yes or no to it being a Russian contract. The letters are not cheap but can be worth it. There are fakes out there as it is an uncommon and can be a valuable pistol to find especially in the second contract.

I have already reguested a verification letter from Colt. Response time is ”may take 90 days” so have to wait a while. I already got couple of emails from Colt where they asked photos and some interesting details about the history of this gun between 1917-1944. I guess it is not common that the pistol has documented history available.

[browningautorifle]

I already got couple of emails from Colt where they asked photos and some interesting details about the history of this gun between 1917-1944. I guess it is not common that the pistol has documented history available.

Those will be interesting to see when it all comes in...

[rcathey]

Those will be interesting to see when it all comes in...

Very much so.

SilverVeteran, please do post once it arrives.

[SilverVeteran]

Hi all,
Last weekend we discovered more awesome things from the same place. Holster and a bayonet !!! Bayonet (mfg 1928-1930) is pretty basic m28 Finnish White Guard bayonet with =S= stamp indicating it belonged to the Suojeluskunta (White Guard). Nice find but.... the holster... it indeed seems to be for the Russian Colt m1911 . All the wear marks match with the pistol.
This holster is pretty similar to the original Colt M1916 holster, but much more simpler made. There are no stamps or markings of anykind, but the m1911 fits PERFECTLY in it and in the interior leather there are clear wear marks of pistols rear sight, grip safety and trigger guard.

What do you guys think ? Could this really be the holster Russians used with Colt m1911 or is this Finnish made after the pistol was captured in 1918 ?