Here's a pic of my 1911. My great-uncle was in the Navy and retired in the 50's. He brought this Colt home with him and it passed to me through my grandfather. The serial number is 4995 - part of the Navy lot from 1912.

The original walnut grips are worn and the blueing isn't in the best shape. I don't keep her for monetary value -- it's a piece of family history. This pistol made it through the Pacific with him in World War II and it still shoots just fine. Quite a tribute to John Browning and his design!

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Colt M1911 (NOT an A1!)
RIA 1911 Full Size
Walther P99 AS 9mm - Ruger KP93
CZ 75BD 9mm - CZ SP-01 Tactical
Beretta M9 -- 92G Vertec -- PX 4 Storm 9mm -- 92 Billennium
Stag AR-15 2T, Saiga 7.62x39 AK, Saiga S12 Tactical Shotgun
http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/index.html

Your Colt was shipped August 30, 1912 to the U.S. Navy, Brooklyn, New York. I have a pistol out of the same shipment of 1000 pistols in the serial number range of 4501 to 5500.

Thanks for sharing. You're keeping her for the right reasons, and the wear doesn't really matter at all. In fact, it may actually serve to document it's use by your great uncle. Anyone else's new pistol could not do that.
More close-ups would be appreciated, if so are so inclined and have the time.
Thanks,
Scott

Makes my heart glad to see this sort of thing. Family tradition is something this Nation seems to be going away from.