MightyQuinn61107
22nd November 2005, 17:32
Newbie poster here,
I just inherited my Grandfathers M1911 from "The Great War," and I've had a great time researching it - thanks in no small part to the good people at this forum. I've attached a couple pictures and what I've been able to learn about the gun. I still have a few questions though, and I'd be grateful if you more experienced collectors could 'check my work' for accuracy.
First the pictures:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol003.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol001.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol006.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol004.jpg
Now what I've learned on the Internet:
-- Serial Number 61603 would indicate it was made in 1914. Family oral history says Grandpa got it from the Rock Island Arsenal (along with a brand new, high tech do-hickey called a ‘wristwatch')
-- Markings include a rear-located, non-circled rampant colt, an inspection mark from Major Walter G. Penfield, an "H" at the rear of the pistol just above the hammer, another "H" inside the chamber(?) just behind the opening for the magazine, and an "R" just to the right of the "H" inside the chamber (sorry, I don't know much about pistol anatomy). I think the H is for Frank L. Hosmer, Colt Inspector, but I have no clue what the "R" is about - Rock Island? It has Colt .45 auto on the top of the barrel (the silvery bit where shells are ejected).
That's where the trail ends. Does my guesswork about markings and the gun's history add up? Is this pistol original? Rebuilt? If it's valuable, should I get it insured? Is it OK to shoot? I don't think it's been fired in at least 40 years, but probably not since the Great War.
Any insights or directions you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I just inherited my Grandfathers M1911 from "The Great War," and I've had a great time researching it - thanks in no small part to the good people at this forum. I've attached a couple pictures and what I've been able to learn about the gun. I still have a few questions though, and I'd be grateful if you more experienced collectors could 'check my work' for accuracy.
First the pictures:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol003.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol001.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol006.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/MightyQuinn61107/GreatGrandpaQuinnsPistol004.jpg
Now what I've learned on the Internet:
-- Serial Number 61603 would indicate it was made in 1914. Family oral history says Grandpa got it from the Rock Island Arsenal (along with a brand new, high tech do-hickey called a ‘wristwatch')
-- Markings include a rear-located, non-circled rampant colt, an inspection mark from Major Walter G. Penfield, an "H" at the rear of the pistol just above the hammer, another "H" inside the chamber(?) just behind the opening for the magazine, and an "R" just to the right of the "H" inside the chamber (sorry, I don't know much about pistol anatomy). I think the H is for Frank L. Hosmer, Colt Inspector, but I have no clue what the "R" is about - Rock Island? It has Colt .45 auto on the top of the barrel (the silvery bit where shells are ejected).
That's where the trail ends. Does my guesswork about markings and the gun's history add up? Is this pistol original? Rebuilt? If it's valuable, should I get it insured? Is it OK to shoot? I don't think it's been fired in at least 40 years, but probably not since the Great War.
Any insights or directions you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!