Punitive Expedition Serial Numbers

[harryvc]

Does anyone know where there might be a listing of any serial numbers of M1911s that are known to have been on the Punitive Expedition? I have occasionally seen references made by David Condon and other dealers to guns that they had for sale that were within the ranges of Colts that chased Villa.

[Scott Gahimer]

Harry: Welcome back. Glad you decided to give us another chance. There are some serial numbers listed in the National Archives that appear in the database of SRS, which is no longer online.
If you want to provide a specific serial number, I'll try to see if I can find it in the records I have. Some of those numbers are also listed in the back on Meadows' book on 1911s.
By furnishing a specific number, it allows me to not have to search the entire database. It's a lot easier to help you that way.

[harryvc]

Thank you. I'm glad to be back. I didn't realize that SRS was no longer on line until I tried it a couple of days ago. I suppose that was inevitable.

The pistol I'm presently doing some research on is serial #14201, which I posted some photographs of in this same forum a few hours ago. Any sort of assistance will be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks.

[Scott Gahimer]

I didn't find any hits for 14201 anywhere. Sorry, but it was worth taking a look to know one way or the other.

[Doran]

I didn't find your serial in Meadow's book. However, the closest one was:

14253 - 01 Nov 1919 - INTERCEPTED IN MAIL FROM AEF.

Now I wonder what was going on there?;)


It does show a few assigned to MEX PUNITIVE EXP:

9893
12423
12444
14354
14355
15301
16025

on the same page.

[harryvc]

Thanks. I'll bet that 14253 was some Doughboy's attempt at sending a M1911 back home. Hope his punishment wasn't too severe.

[Polski]

Hello, I am a newby to this forum and was very interested in the Punitive Expedition M1911s. I was given one of those M1911 from my father who received it from the veteran of that conflict. I was able to track the officer down with his rank, dates of birth and death, serial number and all that good stuff. What I can't verify is the factual paper work actually issuing him that firearm. The army records center does not have the name on file of the officer who supposedly had the sidearm. The serial number is No. 38621. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Scott Gahimer]

38621 is a 1913 Navy serial number, as far as M1911 pistols are concerned. Why don't you show us some photos of your pistol?

[Polski]

To be honest, I have never posted pics before. Are there any step by step instructions on how to do it right for someone who has never done it?

[Doran]

http://forum.m1911.org/faq.php?faq=a_few_words#faq_postingpictures

explains how to post pictures.

[Polski]

Thank you kindly for the very detailed instructions on how to post photos. Hopefully, after reading, I will be a lot more knowledgeable and can do this process effectively.

[Polski]

Here are some pics which I hope are clear enough to help further identification.http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun3.jpg.http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun4.jpghttp://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun1.jpg,http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun2.jpg,http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun6.jpg,http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun5.jpg

Oops, posted one photo twice.