Colt M1911 1918, but first an interesting story RE: Leroy Smith

[skdwkr187]

I got a call in the 90's from a local motorcycle acquaintance, "I have some guns I'd like you to look at". The next day I was at his 300 year old NE house. Under the stairs to the 2nd floor was a closet and in it was a Ithaca 'Burglar & Auto' 20G with holster, a beautiful Flues 16 gauge shot gun given to his mother by Ithaca's founder Leroy Smith and a stripped C Model Colt in parts in an old box. I looked at the 1911 and engraved on the side of the slide was Lt xxxx x Smith.

My friend was the great, great, grandson of LS, he said that LS had given the pistol to his kin prior to shipping out to France. We spent 2 days in Ithaca factory researching the 16 G Flues and found someone had purchased a bunch an yIthaca's production records, but not the Flues shotgun records.

We had a great time and he got to connect with his family's contribution to this Country's war effort.

[skdwkr187]

He subsequently gave me the pistol in pieces as a token of his gratitude, I said no, but he insisted. Brought the Colt to local WWII combat veteran who was a 1911 'smith' and his eyes lit up with joy. I got into 'C' 1911's and military 1911's was on my merry way, 2 years later I received a call from the great grandson, he asked me if he could have the pistol back? Yea, no problem, but in truth I didn't want to see another commercial Colt again.

[Doran]

Your friend might have gotten some flack from the rest of the family for giving an heirloom pistol away.

[skdwkr187]

I do understand