Rare Canadian 1911 carried in two World Wars

[Sapper740]

There exists a commercial 1911 that was carried in two world wars by Canadian officers, the last being no other than Mjr. Gen. Rodney Frederick Leopold Keller CBE, a native of my home province of British Columbia. The weapon is a Colt Automatic Calibre 45 Government Model M1911 which has a commercial serial number C29743 that it was made for the Canadian Army for purchase by officers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force as their personal side arm in WWI. Etched on the right side of the slide is the name H. Kennedy Can Engrs. A search of Canadian service records found three H. Kennedy's, all officers who served in France during the war. The pistol is still in its original 1911 form and has no Canadian stampings anywhere. How it ended up in the hands of Canadian Mjr. Gen. Keller is unknown but he had his name stamped on the right side of slide also and carried it throughout WWII.

[browningautorifle]

The Mills holster just sold here in Victoria for about $800CDN... Nice piece.

[Sapper740]

Jim, you know your stuff, is that a Bergen Rucksack on the back of the soldier on the right?

Derek.

[browningautorifle]

a Bergen Rucksack

I don't think that was made by the same people, the original "Bergen" was large and resembled the US issue M42 rucksack, frame and all. These little things are a small pack and not very impressive, from when I used to see them around.