"Gangster" Colt.

[JLF]

I received this commercial Colt of 1926 mfg. It is a "custom", with modifications that appear to be of the same period. The ambi-safety is a Rube Goldberg looking affair by today's standards, but is still well engineered. The fully adjustable rear sight is one that I am not familiar with. In the bag with the gun was a note that attributes the work to one H. S. Lebman of San Antonio, Texas. Further research reveals that Lebman was a well known "gangster gunsmith", and good friends with John Dillinger, and other notable characters of the era. He is credited with creating Dillinger's 1911 "machine pistols", as well as his other favorite firearms, and those of Clyde Barrow, Nelson, Kelly, and others. The gun has no identifying marks, and the only attribution is the hand written note from a gentleman who would know about such things. Unfortunately, he is critically ill, and unable to elaborate. I thought that perhaps the combined knowledge and experience to be found on this board could shed a little light on this fascinating possiblility.

JLF
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL437/671985/1102238/216433214.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL437/671985/1102238/216433210.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL437/671985/1102238/216433206.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL437/671985/1102238/216433220.jpg

[matt colvin]

Unfortunately I don't know anything about it, but it's definitely an interesting piece!

[wetidlerjr]

Unfortunately I don't know anything about it, but it's definitely an interesting piece!

I'll second that ! :D

You might go here to confirm the serial # is correct for the period.
The Site (http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm)

or call Colt (after Jan. 02/07) at: 1-800-962-COLT.

I believe for a fee ($100 ?) Colt will give you a letter with info on the original shipping date and whom they shipped it to.

[RickB]

That's pretty cool, regardless of its origins.
Is that some kind of set-screw, threaded into the top of the frame tang, to retain the added safety lever? That's a pretty neat piece of engineering.
The elevation adjustment on the sight looks like it could be just a leaf made of spring steel, and the screw compressing it? Is the underside of the sight, the part that hangs over the rear of the slide, open at the bottom, so yuo can see the elevation and windage mechanisms?

[Hunter]

Very interesting Colt and welcome to the forum. I will second the idea of a call to Kathy at Colt for a date and a letter might not be a bad idea.

[JLF]

RickB, you got it. The set screw retains the right side safety shaft. Way over-engineered compared to a notch in the grip panel! Hard to see in the bad pics, but the Colt retains it's original blue, and is in excellent condition. Were it not for that pesky set screw, it would be very tempting to replace the rear sight with an original, and return it to factory specs. As it is, I am hoping instead for some possible kind of solid attribution to Lebman.

JLF

[Weg Ban]

Wow, that is spectacular. Boy, I sure wouldn't try to take it back to factory, it's a whole lot more interesting the way it is, particularly with the original finish. As far as conclusive documentation on the Lebman connection, good luck. I have a Model 1895 Winchester carbine in .30-40 that was originally issued to a member of Company A of the Arizona Rangers. I conclusively know that to be true, the last Captain of the Arizona Rangers, Harry Wheeler, gave it to my uncle in the 1920's (and I got it when he died), but all the firearms records of the Rangers were destroyed when the Rangers were disbanded in 1909, so there's no way to document the provenance of the rifle. Nonetheless, the handwritten note and the known possessor of the weapon are probably all you'll ever have in the way of provenance — but to have the history is all you really need (IMHO).

[Mick_In_Texas]

THIS is one INTERESTING Colt's!!!

I agree with some of the others here, sir: LEAVE her alone!!! She's beautiful, just like she is... and that HISTORY!!! I'd save that note, as well, have it laminated or something. Good sources given by the others, to check out its physical history from the plant; but, the finish looks good, and it's an amazing and unusual piece. I'll NEVER have my USGI 1911 refinished; the finish is very good, original; and I'd like to humbly suggest that you keep THIS beauty just like she is. If she's in good shape mechanically, I reckon she's probably still very functional, as is my 1911; yours is an early A1 model, but she looks GREAT, and I love those grips!!!

Congratulations on a really FINE and GREAT pistol, sir!!! I love this thing, and I'm really, really happy for you, JLF!!!

Mick

[JLF]

Mick, Thanks for the kind words. I only mentioned a re-do in passing, were it NOT for the set screw in the safety contraption. I wouldn't dream of changing a thing under the circumstances. I am a Texas patriot, and a Texas history buff myself, so I know of what you speak on the history angle. I suspect it's a hardball shooting son of a gun, and I aim to find out.

JLF_in_Texas!

[daveohno]

Boy, you got something there! Very nice OLD pistol!