Colt WWI M1911

[yurkiddin]

Hello,
After searching through this site for the past couple of days, I decided to join. I am very impressed with how this site is run and monitored. That said, here is my query: I am the owner of a WWI Colt M1911. The serial number is 233999. From what I've been able to find out, it was manufactured in the early months of 1918. My question deals with the slide. The "Rampant Pony" is in the middle of the left side of the slide. A friend of mine told me that the slide is incorrect for this gun. He says the "Pony" should be at the back of the slide. I spoke to two local gunsmiths and they disagree with him stating that not all early 1918 guns had the "Pony" at the back of the slide. Does anyone out there know who is right? Any information would be greatly appreciated. By the way, the rest of this 1911 is totally correct. Thanks for your help!

[rondawg]

Welcome aboard! Got any photos of this fine pistola? I'm no expert by any stretch, but it seems to me like I've heard the pony moved to the middle in the late-WWI timeframe. I could be wrong. There's dang sure a couple dozen experts here who can tell you for certain.

[OD*]

Your friend is mistaken;

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/OD1911/Slides-1.jpg

[John]

Count to OD for resolving these issues! A living encyclopedia on M1911.

[OD*]

All the credit belongs to Mr. Clawson, Boss, but thank you for the kinds words.

[yurkiddin]

Hello,
Thanks for your info. It certainly was helpful. I will post detailed pictures this weekend. I purchased this M1911 from an 80 yr. old gentleman that has quite a story to tell. He states that this pistol was originally issued to his father in WWI. His father was a Army Flight Surgeon. He goes on to say that when he (the son) became a Army Air Corp. Surgeon in WWII he was issued a M1911 as well. Before he went to his duty station in New Guinea, his father gave him this pistol to carry. His father told him that he never had to fire this pistol in anger (War) and that he wanted him to carry it in hopes that it would be the same way for him. As it turns out, the son never had to fire the pistol either. Included in the M1911 collection I purchased, were two sets of Medical Officer's collar insignia pins. One set from WWI and one set from WWII. Four WWI M1911 magazines (the ones with heat-treated lips) and no lanyard loops. Two 1918 dated magazine pouches. A 1917 dated Pistol Lanyard. An original WWI take-down tool, a brass oiler, brass grease can and a brass cleaning rod. His dad's pistol belt and holster dated 1918. His dad's WWI dated Prayer Book and two unopened 20 round packages of .45 ammo. Both of the ammo packages are dated 1918 and come from USCC and Rem/UMC. His WWII M1911 shoulder holster dated 1944. His WWII signal mirror and a1944 dated coin from New Guinea. The entire collection sits in an old partitioned wooden case with a glass top. I will include a picture of the entire collection with the pics of the M1911. Thanks again to all of you!

[rondawg]

Wow, what a score! We'll be eagerly awaiting your photos! http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/smilies/popcorn.gif

[yurkiddin]

Hello Again,
Here are the pictures of the M1911 collection I acquired. Hope they turned out OK. I'm not great when it comes to a camera.
Best Regards,
Ray
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02833.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02834.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02835.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02836.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02837.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02838.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02839.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02840.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02841.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02842.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02843.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02844.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02845.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02846.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02847.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02848.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02850.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm294/Trik4u_2008/DSC02851.jpg

[OD*]

Oh lordy! :appld:

[Hawkmoon]

Oh ... my ... Gawd.

AWESOME!

[rondawg]

No kidding!!! I hope you have a safe place to keep all that!

Oh, BTW, those photos couldn't be any better if you'd hired a pro to do them. Thank you so much!

[gfavaron]

There are times when there is simply nothing more to say . . . . .

[rondawg]

Was the display case part of the package, or did you come up with that afterwards?

[yurkiddin]

Hi Ron,
According to the son, he made the case about a year and a half after he came home from New Guinea. So that makes the case over 60 years old.
Regards,
Ray

[yurkiddin]

Forgot to mention, I put the piece of foam rubber and the blue felt material to cushion everything. Originally, when I got it, there was a piece of carpet on the bottom.
Ray

[rondawg]

Truly amazing collection, and a great story/history. It's obvious he was very proud of all that stuff and what it represented, he must be confident that it's in good hands. You should be proud! I'd be speechless.

[daveohno]

Oh my! I would LOVE to have a collection of stuff like that! The pistol looks in great shape and all of those accessories of the era!

[alphaquest]

unbelievable!!!
outstanding!!!
enjoy!!! and thank you for sharing!!!

[rhtwist]

Beautiful, awesome!
rhtwist

[1saxman]

'piece of foam rubber and the blue felt material'

That may be a fateful strategy if those materials hold moisture and cause corrosion.

[bgiven]

Great pictures, and wonderful presentation..... but unfortunately that M1911 is not sporting it's original finish.

[A.B.]

Great pictures, and wonderful presentation..... but unfortunately that M1911 is not sporting it's original finish.Sure looks like it (a refinish) to me, but it really is stunning!!

[memphismeister]

Great display, Needs a WWII victory medal in it to top it off

[Larry D.]

Great display, Needs a WWII victory medal in it to top it off

And a WWI Victory Medal to boot.