1911 of 1916

[Ando]

My friend just inherited this 1911, #134xxx, from his father in law. As best I can tell it is in original unreworked condition. When he first saw it he thought it was a throw-a-way. I spent a week telling him how cool a piece it is before I realized he could have thrown it away to me. Now he won't even trade my Loaded SS Springer for it.

The serial number is right by a number that was sent to Schofield Barracks according to Springfield Research Service, so possibly that is how it wound up over here.

The magazine has what looks like filing marks on the floor plate, thus no lanyard ring.

Functioning is perfect.

I was wondering if this pistol is as it appears to me, well used but original? Also, if this would be a good candidate for a light restoration or should it stay original?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t260/acanavan123/1911of1916017Medium.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t260/acanavan123/1911of1916aMedium.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t260/acanavan123/1911of1916eMedium.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t260/acanavan123/1911of1916cMedium.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t260/acanavan123/1911of1916bMedium.jpg

[bgiven]

Its only original once.... IMO leave it just the way it is.

It appears to have a much earlier Colt barrel...'H' on the breach face ended at about S/N 25,000. The correct barrel for your serial number would have a 'H P' verticaly stamped on top of the barrel hood. The lanyard probably has not been removed from the mag.... just a later version with heavy course polish marks on the base. A picture would clear this up.

As far as SRS search is concerned.... you really need a direct hit, otherwise close really doesn't count in this case.

There is nothing like seeing a M1911 in its working clothes...... NOTHING !

[OD*]

The magazine has what looks like filing marks on the floor plate, thus no lanyard ring.
The magazine could be original to the pistol, Colt stopped shipping lanyard loop mags with the pistols at serial #125566.

[exitwounds]

The serial number is right by a number that was sent to Schofield Barracks according to Springfield Research Service, so possibly that is how it wound up over here.

If your serial number is in this serial number range 134201 - 134900, there was a 700 pistol shipment on Nov. 4, 1916 to the Commanding Officer, Hawaiian Ordnance Depot, HI, and likely how it ended up there. As Bob said, it is only original once, and if it were mine I would leave it as is. :)

[Doran]

Any marks on top or bottom of the magazine baseplate? Your slide may be S marked, hard to tell on my monitor.

[bgiven]

Any marks on top or bottom of the magazine baseplate? Your slide may be S marked, hard to tell on my monitor.

It sure looks like an 'S' on the back of that slide from where I am sitting.....

Bob

[Ando]

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like keeping it original is the way to go.

If your serial number is in this serial number range 134201 - 134900, there was a 700 pistol shipment on Nov. 4, 1916 to the Commanding Officer, Hawaiian Ordnance Depot, HI, and likely how it ended up there. As Bob said, it is only original once, and if it were mine I would leave it as is. :)
That's it!



Any marks on top or bottom of the magazine baseplate? Your slide may be S marked, hard to tell on my monitor.
Slide is definately S marked. That is what I was trying to show in the last picture. It's a little small though. Magazine apears to have an R mark on the top of the base plate.


It appears to have a much earlier Colt barrel...'H' on the breach face ended at about S/N 25,000. The correct barrel for your serial number would have a 'H P' verticaly stamped on top of the barrel hood.

When my friend received the pistol, that early barrel was in the wooden box with it, not installed in the pistol. It had a much later colt barrel fitted. I assumed that barrel was the original and it was replaced due to the rust in the bore.
The barrel that was in the pistol was marked COLT 45 AUTO on the left (ejector side) with a light P mark on the bottom lug just underneath. Also an F on the bottom of the barrel about directly opposite the #1 upper lug slot. I assume the barrel pictured would be a better match then this later barrel, even though it may not have shipped with the gun originally. Which would be the best way to go given the early barrel has bad rust in the bore and the later barrel looks great?

[Doran]

Ridson Tool and Machine Company made the magazine during WWI. The S mark represents William Strong, provisional inspector at Colt for a short time circa 1916.

[exitwounds]

When my friend received the pistol, that early barrel was in the wooden box with it, not installed in the pistol. It had a much later colt barrel fitted. I assumed that barrel was the original and it was replaced due to the rust in the bore.
The barrel that was in the pistol was marked COLT 45 AUTO on the left (ejector side) with a light P mark on the bottom lug just underneath. Also an F on the bottom of the barrel about directly opposite the #1 upper lug slot. I assume the barrel pictured would be a better match then this later barrel, even though it may not have shipped with the gun originally. Which would be the best way to go given the early barrel has bad rust in the bore and the later barrel looks great?

The COLT 45 AUTO marked barrel is a 1911A1 barrel.The rust or corrosion is likely from firing corrosive ammo of the period. Since neither are correct for the vintage of the pistol, it would be your choice as to whether you would rather have a curb appeal or not. The older barrel that is rusted internally may look better on the pistol. Inspect the wear patterns very closely on the old barrel to the wear patterns on the slide, particularly in the areas where the two mate during firing, and cycling. That old barrel is nearly 110000 in serial number older than your pistol, however, Colt was not a company that threw things out, and everything was used until it was exhausted. Possibly narrowing the serial number spread even more. Keep in mind that the serial number range Bob posted above is a serial number range used to show the progression of marking changes and is only an approximation of when their use began and ended, which could even close the serial number gap up even more. My point is there is a very slim chance that the barrel was originally supplied with that pistol, many oddities and anomalies exist in early Colt pistols. But don't get your hopes up on it, because it could simply be a just a replacement. ;)

[pa_guns]

Hi

Obviously this is your pistol to do with as you please. It's a *very* cool pistol just as it sits. Since neither barrel is apparently in shape to shoot I would not try this one one the range. Clean it and oil it well, it's a keeper ...

Bob

[OD*]

IMHO, your pistol is a perfect candidate for a professional restoration (not just a reblue).

[Ando]

Thanks to everybody for the info and opinions. Those restored pistols look very nice, but original is only once. I'll post again if there are any updates.