Which 1911 Book to Read?

[Wyo96]

I plan on buying my first USGI 1911. I need to get squared away on these things so I don't get taken. Which book should I read to educate myself? I'll be interested in any manufacturer, not just Colt.

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

The "big book" by Charles Clawson, "Colt's .45 Service Pistols", is a very good reference on the Model 1911, plus it has information on the 1911A1. The downside is that demand for it is high and so are the prices.
Another excellent book on the Model 1911 is Scott Meadows "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols, 1894-1920". It can still be found at reasonable prices, and he has a companion book in the works that will take up at 1920 and cover the Model 1911A1.
Clawson's "Collector's Guide" is still available at a very reasonable price, and is a good source of information, although it has little history of the development of the 1911 in it.

[Wyo96]

The "big book" by Charles Clawson, "Colt's .45 Service Pistols", is a very good reference on the Model 1911, plus it has information on the 1911A1. The downside is that demand for it is high and so are the prices.
Another excellent book on the Model 1911 is Scott Meadows "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols, 1894-1920". It can still be found at reasonable prices, and he has a companion book in the works that will take up at 1920 and cover the Model 1911A1.
Clawson's "Collector's Guide" is still available at a very reasonable price, and is a good source of information, although it has little history of the development of the 1911 in it.

Do the Clawson books contain other variants like the Remington Rands or are they just Colts?

[Rob Greer]

There are a few other books out there too... Goddard's book has a lot of information about the development, and Poyer's book "The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols" is a relatively inexpensive (but good) reference that is currently available.

Clawson's book(s) set the standard for all 1911 / 1911A1 reference books when he published it... and I highly recommend it. As Johnny said, the big books (one for military, one for commercial) are expensive (generally well above $500), but the collector's guide is a smaller version that is still obtainable. If you want the collector's guide, e-mail me and I will put you in contact with a friend who sells the guides and a photo CD of these pistols.

[Rob Greer]

Clawson's books are complete reference books that cover all manufacturers of both the 1911 and 1911 A1. The military book covers all 4 manufacturers of the 1911, and all 5 of the A1... plus foreign contracts, and so on. There are different books for commercial and military... so the complete set is very pricy.

The big book has a lot of detail on all manufacturers. The guide touches all manufacturers... but not in great detail. The direction of your collection will determine which would be best for you. (If you want 1 pistol, then the guide will be more than enough.)

[Johnny Peppers]

None of the books will keep you from being "taken". All the parts could be correct according to the books, but the pistol may be refinished. Some of the pistols showing up on the internet auctions are correct by the book, but have been made up from commercially available parts with bogus markings. There is much more to learn than just what you will find in the books.

[Rob Greer]

Very true Johnny - I didn't mean to imply otherwise!

[Johnny Peppers]

Wyo96 was the one that used the word "taken", and that who my response was directed to.
Best to have someone help you if you have no previous knowledge of the 1911 pistol, and plan to jump into collecting.

[Jim K]

If you are planning on buying any gun for a collection/investment, the best thing is to go to all the gun shops you can find, and all the gun shows you can get to, and look at guns. Keep both your wallet and your mouth shut and just look. If you have a small digital camera, ask the sellers if you can take pictures; if they say no, thank them for their time and leave, but remember the gun(s).

Also, look at guns (of any type) that you know have been reblued/refinished. There are tell-tale signs in most such work that to the educated eye, virtually scream "refinish". Very few refinished guns, even by top restorers, will get past someone who has seen hundreds of similar guns.

Also, look for anomalies. A common one is a "like new" pistol with worn grips, a red flag to an experienced collector. Another is a finish that is too good; few pistols over 50 years old are in perfect condition. Even if not used, they will have wear marks from a holster, a shelf or desk drawer, even a box.

Sure, you might miss a good deal if you "just look" but it will pan out in the long run. Never buy a story unless there is solid documentation to back it up, something pretty rare outside the museum circuit. And use common sense. How likely is it that a Model 1911A1 really was carried by U.S. Grant at Gettysburg? This is an exaggeration, but I have heard stories only a little less silly.

Jim

[pdawg1911]

As a novice myself who is still in the learning mode, I purchased Clawson's "Collector's Guide" first, then Poyer's more recent book, "The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols."

I would love to have Clawson's big book, but I think it is too spendy for my modest budget. Read the books, and read the knowledge on the forums here, as some on this board could write their own books on the matter if they so desired.

Have fun.

Pat