1911 Colt Canadian Contract

[JerryEAL]

Seems to be well used. Waiting on Colt archives to send the letter to confirm where it was shipped to initially.

Cheers

[browningautorifle]

Nice, nice, nice pistol. I've had a "C" number through time but it wasn't a Canadian issue. Where did this one come from? Off gunnutz? Did the guy live in Medicine Hat? Friend of mine had about five and he was going to pare them down to one.

[JerryEAL]

The letter from Colt Archives came 18 weeks later. Sold to the Government of Canada. Shipped to H.W. Brown Oct. 31 1914. Lot of 1000 shipped.

[browningautorifle]

Shipped to H.W. Brown

Did you research him? Do you know anything about him?

[JerryEAL]

Hello Jim
H.W. Brown was the director of Contracts. I am linking a page that references H.W. Brown. Medical supplies for the CEF and how the suppliers were as corrupt as they are today with regard to gouging and government contracts. It seems Mr H.W Brown was not fond of being ripped off. I wonder why the Colt 1911s were directed to him specifically and not a middle man. There were a few other importers as well,but most (3000)were sent to Brown as near as I can tell.

Canada’s CEF First Contingent’s, Drugs, Bandages, Medicine, c., Contract Scandal Aug. 1914. | Canada at War Blog.

[browningautorifle]

I wonder why the Colt 1911s were directed to him specifically and not a middle man.

I'm guessing a bit that he was the office they shipped to. So they didn't come wheeled into his office on a gurney, just the paperwork showing arrival at his warehouse?

[JerryEAL]

This one came from Firearms Outlet in TO. I asked the guy over the phone for the serial number. He said we don't give serial numbers out. I started to tell him why I needed it and he hung up. Usually I would not give them a second chance. When you want something few have, you put up with a little attitude occasionally. The next guy that answered was great. Very fast service.