Searching history of particular pistol

[Wulf]

How does one go about searching the history of an individual pistol?

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

Sadly, there is no way to search the history of a military pistol. Rarely you will find the number in Springfield Research Service, and in virtually every case it is a snapshot in time with the pistol being in a certain place on a certain date. It may have been recorded as having been shipped out, or just received. That is just one day in the many years since the pistol was built. Colt recorded where it originally shipped the pistols, but once they reached the military, the trail normally ends.
If it is a commercial Colt or Smith & Wesson, a letter from their historical department will tell when and where it was originally shipped.

[Wulf]

Thanks. I was just wondering because John has so many that he has the history on I was just wondering. Is the contact info for Colt historical on their website?

[badabing]

Thanks. I was just wondering because John has so many that he has the history on I was just wondering. Is the contact info for Colt historical on their website?

Doesn't he though. Kind of makes you wonder. My take is that much of the documentation I've seen really doesn't prove anything and could have been done by anyone with an old typewriter.

[John Holbrook]

[John Holbrook]

This Colt #810 was shown in the inventory of the USCG Station on Cape Cod, at Chatham, Mass. on 24 Nov. 1937. This information is from Springfield Research Service and anyone is welcome to look it up! I also own #823 which also has the "DEL" stamp. ----

[John Holbrook]

SRS indicates that this Colt Navy was assigned to the USS MAINE BB 10, and if you don't believe me, check it out!!!!

[Badger]

Beautiful pieces John ...

Thanks for posting the pics and research ...

I love the 1911 pistol and I sure wish we could collect them up here in Canada, without living under the constant fear some future government could ban collecting pistols outright, which they've been threatening in the last few years. The result would be sending what exists to the incinerator.

We have no 2nd Amendment or rights to own private property here, so they (or any firearm for that matter) can't be protected at all.

Anyway, although I'm obvious expressing my own frustration here, bending our own site's "no politics" rule, please don't start adding political comments to this thread, as I'd probably have to lock it due to my own comments.

Again John, thanks for the pics ... the 1911 is one gorgeous old pistol with so much history.

Regards,
Doug

[Wulf]

Another beauty. I would love to see your collection all in one place at the same time. Although, I would hope they would be under glass to protect them from my drooling over them. Thanks for always posting these gems.

[John Holbrook]

Another beauty. I would love to see your collection all in one place at the same time. Although, I would hope they would be under glass to protect them from my drooling over them. Thanks for always posting these gems.

Wulf, here is how I display my collection at gun shows. I vary the displays to include new examples. This show was in Missoula, MT, and BTW I am relocating to Missoula in the spring. I have had enough of the liberals and the miserable weather here in Western Washington!!! Besides, I love to hunt upland birds, so Montana will be heaven!!!!



Also I make my own graphic displays, I am a retired computer engineer!!!!

Here is an example: