Information on Navy 1911

[memphismeister]

I have just received the gift of a life time, I just had a 1911 navy model returned to me that had belonged to my father 40 years ago. needless to say its priceless.
It is a four diget serial number(51##) issue. It does not appear to be a rework from what I have determined from this site. In fact a gun shop told me not to do anything to it. Rated it between 80/90%.

Now for the questions.
1. How can I determine if it has the right mag
2. What other markings should I look for with out the pistol disassembled? Looking at the barrel through the port I see no markings.
3. How do I store it?

Sorry for no pixs but it does appear to be in darn good shape.

[memphismeister]

ok a littl more detective work
"The year of manufacture for serial number 51## is 1912.

Made by Colt for the U.S. Navy or Remington UMC. Remington UMC made 1911's numbered 1-13### in 1917"

I ventured in taking off the grips and was pleased to find no rusting, and such pretty grips. So knows the grips are right. I,m falling in love with it...............

[Jim Watson]

It is going to take disassembly, pictures, and a minute description of every mark on the gun for one of the surplus collectors to authenticate it for you. Be careful not to apply an idiot mark.

[wichaka]

Pictures.....we need lots of pictures of this beauty!

[memphismeister]

here is the link to the pictures
http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm112/rman63/

[FXWG]

Very nice indeed!
Congrats on getting it back in the family.

[OD*]

Looks correct to me, very nice pistol.

[memphismeister]

The story me getting it is even so much better but I dont know if I am allowed to say it in here

[OD*]

The story me getting it is even so much better but I dont know if I am allowed to say it in here
PM sent to you.

[RickB]

That is an amazing gun. It not only isn't a rebuild, but it appears to have its original 1912 hammer and mag catch lock, which would be unusual for any gun that had seen service in the war years.

[memphismeister]

Here is the short story for this beauty.

My father grew up with a love for guns, In 58 he joined the Marines and then got out 3 years later. he then became a cop but then went bak into the Army in 66 to become a helicopter pilot. He did 1 tour then came back, was a Tact officer at Fort Walters. He then went back as a Cobra pilot in 69/70. 2 weeks before he was to come home his copter went down and he died the day he was to come home.

ok Fast forward 38 years. Flying Thunder came through Memphis on the way to The Wall. I had given 2 of my Dad's patches to a pilot to take to the Wall. A reporter saw this and did a newspaper artiicle. Two days later I received a phone call from an individual who collected guns with my Father. He told me about thie M1911 and said it belongs to you. Thus we just met and he told me it was time for me to have it.

Thus after 40 years it returned back to me, his son.
Will I shoot it? God I would love to but wont. Will I let go of it. No considering I know my Dad cleaned and took care of it.

Thats the long story...................

[OD*]

Excellent post, happy to know your father's pistol is back where it belongs.

[alphaquest]

incredible! wonderful post! i admire the individual who returned the pistol to its rightful owner. a man with honor ...

[jwenum]

If it was me; I'd want my son to shoot it at least once................

[Doran]

Partially retract the slide and see if there's a mark on the back of the barrel hood. Can you provide clear pictures of both sides of the mainspring housing pin? You are very fortunate to have such a treasure.

[Jim Watson]

We should all look so good when we are 96.

[memphismeister]

Doran,
You will be happy to know that there is a pretty H on the back of the barrel hood and the barrel hood looks clean and smooth. I will get a pic of the mhp but it looks just like all the other pins, round and concave

[memphismeister]

A Nice looking H with serfis

[A.B.]

Great post, thank you for sharing the story with us. And quite a pistol, too, as RickB pointed out!

[memphismeister]

Correction MHP is convex /n on both sides . Not concave/u

[memphismeister]

Partially retract the slide and see if there's a mark on the back of the barrel hood. Can you provide clear pictures of both sides of the mainspring housing pin? You are very fortunate to have such a treasure.
Here ya go.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm112/rman63/DVC00017.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm112/rman63/DVC00016.jpg

[1saxman]

A miraculous happenstance. The guy had the pistol all those years and suddenly he sees the article in the paper, sees that you were obviously his old friend's son and contacts you to give you a very valuable pistol. That is one honorable man.

[memphismeister]

A miraculous happenstance. The guy had the pistol all those years and suddenly he sees the article in the paper, sees that you were obviously his old friend's son and contacts you to give you a very valuable pistol. That is one honorable man.

What got me is that I was cleaning it and realized that 40 years ago my Dad was doing the same thing with the same gun. It was a great feeling.

[jwenum]

Once you wipe that 'moisture' out of your eyes..Go out and shoot it;at least once!!!!

[memphismeister]

Once you wipe that 'moisture' out of your eyes..Go out and shoot it;at least once!!!!
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh dont tell any one
This was the article that brought my colt back home.

Convoy honoring veterans along the way to Vietnam Memorial

By Shirley Downing

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Rob Meister was 7 when his dad's Army helicopter was shot out of a Vietnam sky.

On Monday Meister, now 45, handed two patches from his late father's uniform to the pilot of a Vietnam-era helicopter minutes after the chopper landed in Bartlett. Meister asked the pilot to carry the badges with him to Washington.

'"I just wanted his patches to go off on another flight," Meister said as his voice shook, his grandson, Kris Meister, 3, at his side.

Meister and about 150 other Mid-Southerners gathered in Bartlett's Freeman Park Monday to see a Vietnam-era helicopter land for an overnight visit. The helicopter is part of the "Flight to the Wall" convoy

traveling from California to Washington for a May 25 ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial.

Many of the visitors wore police or military uniforms, or were members of veterans' groups, along with their families.

Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders, who are veterans, wore jeans, black T-shirts and black leather vests with military insignias to show their patriotism. Members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America were in wheelchairs.

The veterans saluted as the camouflage-colored OH58 Kiowa set down on the park grounds, its spinning blades sending particles of grass and clouds of dust flying across the park.

"I think it's awesome," Vietnam Army veteran Bob Harris, 61, of Memphis said of the event.

Others agreed. "It's about time Vietnam vets got a break," said Bob Colalasure, 58, who served in the Navy in Vietnam.

"I think it's the greatest thing to travel like this to the Wall," said Sonny Taylor, 64, a Navy veteran

One helicopter arrived shortly after 2:30 p.m. instead of two helicopters, as had been planned.

Four refurbished helicopters owned by Wings & Rotors Air Museum in Murrieta, Calif., were scheduled to make the cross-country trip from California, but one did not gain clearance, and two ran into mechanical trouble, said pilot Tom Woehl of San Diego.

A separate convoy of Flying Thunder members on motorcycles and other vehicles are driving to Washington to participate in the ceremony.

About 30 local Rolling Thunder members at the park arrived on Harleys and Yamahas with flags tied to the handlebars.

They were mostly men with gray or thinning hair and builds slightly heavier than they were in their youth. Some said they weren't able to go on to Washington but would be there in thought.

Vietnam Army veteran Joe W. Lee, 67, yelled "Here it comes," as he hopped off the back of a pickup and walked swiftly to the edge of the park, clapping his hands, and then raising his right arm in a salute as the helicopter landed.

As for Meister, he said he'd been planning the day for months, and was glad to be able to see his father's badges again take flight.

"It is my personal tribute," he said.

Note: Reporter does not understand difference between badges and patches.

[lenb]

I'm sorry for the loss of your father, but thanks for sharing the story with us, and as others mentioned, the man who returned the pistol to you is to be commended for his integrity. Your pistol looks to be very valuable, not only as to the monetary part, but also in the link it gives you to your dad. Take good care of it, and preserve that history.

Len

[memphismeister]

Well this has been an interesting week. After going to the National WW1 museum this week I made a decision. If My grandson does not appreciate this colt I may donate it to their collection. They have 2 colts but mine would be the earliest model there. After looking at them I was amazed at the condtion of mine