Grandpa's WWI Colt 1911

[Buck T]

I just inherited my grandfather's Colt 1911 that was his sidearm in France in the Great War. He kept it after he was discharged from the Army.

Here's the guns basic info:

Model of 1911 US. Army
serial number is 1917 manufacture date, per Colt website
GHS stamp above mag release button
P & H stamped on barrel
H above hammer on slide
Two-tone mags
Little bluing left, but has nice metalic look w/ no rust
Gun is tight, shoots 5" groups at 50' off-hand (I put 50 rds thru it already)
All original except: main spring housing and grips
Grip panels from WW2 1911? (brown plastic-Bakelite?)

I will be seeking this forums advice on what to do to it and what not to do with it, ie reblue it? shoot it alot? etc.

[John]

What condition is your pistol in? If it is in good condition, you may want to keep it at its present state and fire it seldomly, as a family souvenir. If it is in poor external condition, maybe a professional refinish is advisable. In any case, a lot of shooting is not something you want to do with it, occasional treat of 100 FMJs, is all this beauty needs.

[hiramabiff]

Is it possible for you to provide some pix before you perform any repair or improvement with your newly acquired collectible piece? That's just a great piece to keep! Thanks.

[Buck T]

I will try to have one of my kid's take a digital picture(s) and find a host and post them. I am from the film camera and rotory phone era. All this tech stuff of the 21st century is not something that I have mastered.....yet.

I am in no rush to change a thing on this 1911. It has been as it is for decades. No need to hurry with it.

[wichaka]

Yes, post some pics for us.

My first thought is to leave it alone, for your sentimental reasons.

[exitwounds]

Definitely limit your shooting so you don't end up cracking or breaking something you can't replace. Even though there is little bluing left, and no rust, the weapon would be worth more in it's present state to a collector. What type of msh doe's it have? Arched? The correct walnut grips will have 15 rows +/- 1 between the large diamonds.Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

[Yoshi]

Hello,
I have a nice 1943 vintage remington rand,all correct and original
about once a year or so when its time to to clean and oil it i take it to the range and shoot 50 or so rounds through it,since its going to get cleaned up anyway.
maybe i shouldn't worry about it braking or takeing damage but i do, so its a treat for me to shoot.
id think twice about altering grandpa's gun,after all its a piece of your family
history.
two years ago a dear friend of the family passed on and left me a luger he took home from ww2, i've never fired it and don't think i ever will. its just the way my friend left it and for my lifetime anyway its going to stay that way.
wish i had my fathers m1 he carried in ww2.
hope this helps you decide what you want to do with your colt. thanks

[marlin44]

I really want to see some pictures!