US&S & 1918 Army Arrived

[DGW]

Well I've been waiting and they finally arrived. I bought a US&S, 1918 Army, 1917 Commercial and a 1916 Commercial. I've posted the Commercials in the "Pre-WWII Commercial" section of this site in case you want to see them. Looks like Paulinski found the same seller as he got his RemRand. They all came with custom built cases and many accessories. I noticed the seller was selling his collection of other guns and I thought I would send him an email on the off chance to see if he had any Colt 1911's for sale. I got lucky. He said he wasn't ready to sell them but he had a few. A few weeks went by and he sent me pictures of his entire collection. I was blown away! I already own a 1943 Colt, Ithaca and RemRand that many of you have already seen here but I really wanted the US&S and the 1918 Army and the other two commercials he was offering. They are not mint examples but I'm in love and a proud new daddy! SO, without further adoo here is my new US&S and my 1918 Army...

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb235/dannyair/USSLeftMedium.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb235/dannyair/1918ArmyLeftMedium.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb235/dannyair/IMG_3950Medium.jpg

As you can tell I've been having some fun with photoshop but have no fear, I've not adjusted or manipulated the pistols in anyway so you can see the true condition they are in.

[Doran]

I'm not able to see pictures.

[iflyem1]

What beautiful 1911's............The case really brings it all together. LOOKS GREAT

[Paulinski]

Awesome finds Danny, especially the US&S.

Congrats.

[A.B.]

What a windfall, congratulations!

Please excuse my ignorance, but were the various cases made by distributors/retailers? They are extraordinary!

[DGW]

What a windfall, congratulations!

Please excuse my ignorance, but were the various cases made by distributors/retailers? They are extraordinary!

Thanks A.B. The previous owner made the cases himself. He spent a fair amount of time making them as you can tell. Most came with extra magazines with lanyard rings as well as a lanyard, original holsters and mag pouches etc.

[A.B.]

Thanks, DGW. I may be off-base, but I have some vague recollection of Colt's London Distr. making kits similar to those. Fantastic!

[bgiven]

Danny,

Did you happen to notice the WWI slide stop on the US&S and the Springfield grips on the 1918 Colt....?????

[DGW]

Hi Bob,

You did mention to me that the slide stop is incorrect for the US&S. I think if I swapped the 1917 Commercial's slide stop with the US&S slide stop it would be a perfect match correct? Also, I did not realize the 1918 Army had Springfield grips. Maybe I could swap those grips out with my 1914 Commercial and it would be correct then?

[bgiven]

I don't know about a perfect match..... I haven't seen a '17 Gov't photo. Additionally, Springfield grips are just that.... Springfield. Colt grips are different.

[Scott Gahimer]

I'd leave the grips alone. I don't think they're Springfield. They're not 15 row Colt...but there were some late 1918-1919 13 row grips that are on some Colts in that timeframe that appear to be original.
The checkering pattern doesn't look like Springfield to me on the grips you have on your Colt. I'd leave 'em on the gun.

[NAA]

Nice pistols nevertheless. And a Union Switch & Signal is a rare bird here in Canada. I've been at the Colt 1911 & USGI game for nearly 30 years & I still have yet to have one come my way.... Good on ya for finding one up here!

[DGW]

Thanks guys and thank you Scott as always for your unbelievable eye for detail and knowledge. I'll switch the slidestops around to make them correct.

[DGW]

Okay this should be the correct slide stop cofiguration now.

US&S
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb235/dannyair/USSMedium.jpg

1917C
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb235/dannyair/1917CommercialColtMedium.jpg

[NAA]

Looking great! :)