Long story made short as possible...

[westval]

My Grandfather gave me a 1911 that he brought back from the European Theater. As a pilot he was issued this sidearm. After a long run with alzheimer's he passed last year. We never did get a chance to quiz him much on his time in the service (trust me, I wish we did). This pistol has a "C" commercial marking and dates to 1926.

1. Any chance this was an issue sidearm or was it one he may have purchased to bring back with him?

2. While serving as a pilot during WWII, he shot down a Messerschmidt ME109 that crashed closed to their base camp. The mechanics at the camp cut the "Plexiglas" ME109 windshield into hand grips for all the officers, and inserted pictures of their wives or loved ones behind them. As the original grips are long gone, how does this affect the historical nature of the sidearm?

3. As a side note. His daughter (my mother) married a man with the last name Messerschmidt. He always laughed that she would marry the one German family that tried to kill him. Our family gets a chuckle when thinking about this!

Thanks for your oppinions.

[Rich-D]

It being a commercial Model, he most likely brought it with him to Europe or attained it in Europe.

If you have the "Plexiglas" ME109 windshield" grips, they should be worth more than their actual cash value to you and possibly a collector. However, collectors often relate, that they buy the item, not a story.

Photo's would be of interest to the members and elicit more replys.

Best of Luck!
Rich

[westval]

A couple photos follow:


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/westval/100_1326.jpg


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/westval/100_1327.jpg

Not the best photos in the world. I still have trouble getting our camera to work worth a darn. These were taken for our insurance company.

[Johnny Peppers]

The grips are a part of your family history now. Leave them right where they are, and should the pistol ever be sold, hold on to the grips.

[bgiven]

I believe these are known as 'sweetheart grips'.......

[t-bird]

Great history of a 1911, thanks for story. Sounds like a keeper to me. Best of luck.

[kenhwind]

I read something about those "sweetheart grips" but where aludes me.

Ken

[westval]

Ken,

I'm going to hi-jack my own thread here. Spent a little time in your home town a few years ago. Seemed to be a great place. Is the Giggling Gator by the college still open?

Clay

Thanks guys. I'll try to keep it on track now..... :nono:

[OD*]

I posted about "sweetheart stocks" awhile back;
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=54891&highlight=sweetheart+stocks

[kenhwind]

Ken,

I'm going to hi-jack my own thread here. Spent a little time in your home town a few years ago. Seemed to be a great place. Is the Giggling Gator by the college still open?

Clay

Thanks guys. I'll try to keep it on track now..... :nono:
As far as I know used to work down the street, to far away now and I have to pass the Police Station on my way home.
Ken

[kenhwind]

I posted about "sweetheart stocks" awhile back;
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=54891&highlight=sweetheart+stocks
Was that information published in American Handgunner or Guns, because I do not recall reading that thread, and I haven't been onboard that long?
But that seems to be the ones.

Ken

[Rich-D]

OD* that is a great story! I missed it the first time, glad that you posted it again!


Rich

[westval]

OD*,

Thanks for the article/info. I thought this Colt of my Grandfather's was one of a few. Didn't realize it was a common place practice, yet it makes sense as we did drop quit a few of the German birds over there.

On the fun side. I grew up 2 stone throws away from Harrison, NE where that lady was from. I or my family probably know her family & relatives.

Ken,

While in the service I dated a gal from St. Augustine. She lived very close to the old fort and the main street tourist trap district. We frequented the Giggling Gator quite a few times. How big is St. Augustine now days?

Clay

[kenhwind]

I moved here fall of 99 my Mother was dying, left Ft Lauderdale. Nice town, but she's growing.
Still "a quant fishing village with a drinking problem"
Better than South FL
Ken

[OD*]

Was that information published in American Handgunner or Guns, because I do not recall reading that thread, and I haven't been onboard that long?
But that seems to be the ones.

Ken
I don't know Ken, it might have been, if it was, I missed it.

[OD*]

OD* that is a great story! I missed it the first time, glad that you posted it again!


Rich
You're welcome, Sir.

[OD*]

OD*,

Thanks for the article/info. I thought this Colt of my Grandfather's was one of a few. Didn't realize it was a common place practice, yet it makes sense as we did drop quit a few of the German birds over there.

On the fun side. I grew up 2 stone throws away from Harrison, NE where that lady was from. I or my family probably know her family & relatives.

Clay
You're welcome, Clay. Small world, isn't it?

I agree with the other fellas, I wouldn't change a thing about your pistol, it's a family treasure.

[kenhwind]

I don't know Ken, it might have been, if it was, I missed it.
It was probably posted on Outdoors Unlimited, my ISP, gun info is common on their webpage. It was a good read for sure.
Ken

[westval]

Thanks for the comments, guys. No intention of changing the grips, just curious what everybody thought. Hope to see some more pics of these sweetheart grips on this site. They are pretty sweet....LOL!!!

Clay

[bgiven]

The set I have are pretty sweet..... grips aren't bad either !!!!!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i284/bobgiven/FAC%20Related/SHGrips.jpg

[westval]

bgiven,

Where did you find those? Are they "late century replica" for lack of better term? The fit and finish looks much cleaner than the ones on Grandpa's sidearm. Very cool!

Clay

[bgiven]

Nope. They came out of a WWII collection in Arizona. Some GIs actually had the unit armorer, or maint. depot armorer make theirs from a piece of retrieved windscreen or canopy brought back from the field. Not all 'sweetheart' grips were made out in the field. These also have very tidy copper backing plates that are now showing alot of green verdigris. They photograph better than they actually look.... alot of scratches, some minor cracking, and old staining are present. I don't have any desire to clean them up.

[kenhwind]

The right looks like Jane Russel, the left I think is also an actress. Every GI had a crush on some one.
Ken

[bgiven]

The right looks like Jane Russel, the left I think is also an actress. Every GI had a crush on some one.
Ken


Jane Russell and Rita Hayworth.

[kenhwind]

Jane Russell and Rita Hayworth.
I recognized the personality, but could not place a name. I would have figured it out sooner or later.
thanks for the reply
Ken

[westval]

Nope. They came out of a WWII collection in Arizona. Some GIs actually had the unit armorer, or maint. depot armorer make theirs from a piece of retrieved windscreen or canopy brought back from the field. Not all 'sweetheart' grips were made out in the field. These also have very tidy copper backing plates that are now showing alot of green verdigris. They photograph better than they actually look.... alot of scratches, some minor cracking, and old staining are present. I don't have any desire to clean them up.

bgiven,

I like em! The one I have is a much cruder version. They attempted to clean em up and did a decent job, but they do look like a field improvised job. I figure it just adds more character.

Clay

[smoochin]

so happens my ithaca has sweetheart grips, too. same lady on each side. on one side, civilian clothes. on the other, looks like a military outfit. grips are not perfect, but reflect a really determined desire to go a good job. i'll figure out how to post photos. dave

[westval]

Dave,
Any pics of the grips yet?

Clay

[smoochin]

not yet, working on it. dave