In that spirit, here's something special from the archives:
This is a World War I military issue Colt 1911. Not a 1911A1. An original, honest-to-JMB 1911. All original - finish, parts, even the grips are as it came from Colt some ninety years ago (I checked the serial # and found the year of manufacture to be 1917).
It is quite possible that this gun saw service fighting the troops of the Kaiser. Ain't that cool?
And that, my friends, is one of the biggest reasons I love this "gun thing". Where else can you hold history in the palm of your hand?
8 comments:
This is the 2nd 1911 pic I've seen this week. Phlegm Fatale [check my link section] has pictures of her Dad's 1913 era 1911 with all original equipment. I was drooling.
Yours is very nice, too.
Sweet - reminds me of my 1914 (thus Tsarist) Nagant - with Finnish Army property marks.
There's a story in there, and it probably includes shooting at Russians.
My SMLE was made at RSA Enfield in 1916.
I'm pretty certain it has had some of the Kaiser's boys in it's sights...
If they could tell their tales, it would be pretty cool.
I hope you have something fun planned for next week!
Wait a weisswurst eatin', beer swillin' minute . . . I'm as American as they come, yet my ancestors fought for the Kaiser. Having said that, and having had the opportunity to squeeze off a mag or two from that gorgeous piece, holding, let alone operating a piece of real history was indeed a treat. Jay, thanks and my hat is off to you.
My maternal grandfather was in the US Army Air Corps, and my mother/brother have a couple of guns that he "liberated" when he finally retired, plus some really nice footlockers and other assorted gear.
I shall now wipe the drool from the corners of my mouth.
I've got one just like it in my gun safe that belongs to my father-in-law. He's not old enough to have served in WWII - he bought it for $25 back in the early 1960's as I understand it. It's got a 1917 manufacture date as well.
Still shoots hardball like it was made to.
Post a Comment