Mick_In_Texas
19th June 2006, 19:00
Howdy, All--
As y'all know, I have a USGI Colt 1911, mid- to late-1918 manufacture. Over Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., I showed it to my retired police armorer buddy, a certified gunsmith; I used to think he was "Mr. 1911/A1", until today.
He questioned the authenticity of the recoil guide in Black Beauty. Said he'd have to check "his book". Well, Black Beauty WINS: I had some time, as I've got her stripped down for cleaning, and went to CoolGunSite.com. Her recoil guide is the hollow, "later type" with "rounded legs": and THAT one, for her S/N of 497XXX, IS original and to the tee authentic.
Out of curiousity, I also checked out her mainspring housing--100% authentic. Grip safety: right in line with the late 1918s and 1919s--small tang. Magazine release: consistent with the year of her manufacture. Slide stop? Well, y'all guessed it: looks to be the original checkered 1911 job. Trigger: milled long Colt, just like she's supposed to have. Finish consistent with the rest of her. Thumb safety, she's STILL right on the money, 100%.
My God bless that ol' boy who I got Black Beauty from in January. Also, I've finally recovered mostly from her purchase. I know now that she'll still spit those factory loads down range, and you better NOT be on her receiving end, regardless of the fact she's 88 years old!
Don't know where my buddy got his information; but, I no longer think he's "Mr. 1911". Maybe "Mr. 1911A1"; but, NOT Mr. 1911. The more I examine her, the more authentic, USGI, 1911, 1918 she gets. I so, so lucked out with her. She IS a Beauty, I love her. She's functional. Those rounds didn't bother her a bit. She was ready for more, and THOSE out of that battered old apparently original mag!
I love my modern manufacture pistols and revolver and shotgun... but, the ULTIMATE is the 1911. I just thank my God, that I actually OWN one. That works. Believe me, on July 4, I'll "rub it in" a little on my buddy. Reckon mine will STILL be the only ones that function 100%--just like the past 2 years. Black Beauty could be right in there with them.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/Colt1911L.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/Colt1911R.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/497861_LMagCutsWGrip.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/497861_RInside.jpg
I'm proud of her, and thankful to have her.
Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick
As y'all know, I have a USGI Colt 1911, mid- to late-1918 manufacture. Over Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., I showed it to my retired police armorer buddy, a certified gunsmith; I used to think he was "Mr. 1911/A1", until today.
He questioned the authenticity of the recoil guide in Black Beauty. Said he'd have to check "his book". Well, Black Beauty WINS: I had some time, as I've got her stripped down for cleaning, and went to CoolGunSite.com. Her recoil guide is the hollow, "later type" with "rounded legs": and THAT one, for her S/N of 497XXX, IS original and to the tee authentic.
Out of curiousity, I also checked out her mainspring housing--100% authentic. Grip safety: right in line with the late 1918s and 1919s--small tang. Magazine release: consistent with the year of her manufacture. Slide stop? Well, y'all guessed it: looks to be the original checkered 1911 job. Trigger: milled long Colt, just like she's supposed to have. Finish consistent with the rest of her. Thumb safety, she's STILL right on the money, 100%.
My God bless that ol' boy who I got Black Beauty from in January. Also, I've finally recovered mostly from her purchase. I know now that she'll still spit those factory loads down range, and you better NOT be on her receiving end, regardless of the fact she's 88 years old!
Don't know where my buddy got his information; but, I no longer think he's "Mr. 1911". Maybe "Mr. 1911A1"; but, NOT Mr. 1911. The more I examine her, the more authentic, USGI, 1911, 1918 she gets. I so, so lucked out with her. She IS a Beauty, I love her. She's functional. Those rounds didn't bother her a bit. She was ready for more, and THOSE out of that battered old apparently original mag!
I love my modern manufacture pistols and revolver and shotgun... but, the ULTIMATE is the 1911. I just thank my God, that I actually OWN one. That works. Believe me, on July 4, I'll "rub it in" a little on my buddy. Reckon mine will STILL be the only ones that function 100%--just like the past 2 years. Black Beauty could be right in there with them.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/Colt1911L.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/Colt1911R.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/497861_LMagCutsWGrip.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/497861_RInside.jpg
I'm proud of her, and thankful to have her.
Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick