Let's see your early Colt US Army 1911's

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  • LKGMADMAX

    Active Member
    Sep 9, 2017
    151
    My pride and joy a Colt US Army model 1911, shipped to the San Antonio Arsenal November 19th 1912, 1912 was actually the first year of production for the Colt model 1911. This piece was carried by Major Leon E Smith of the Ohio National Guard (prior 3rd Infantry Company K, later to become part of the 148th) military records show he chased Pancho Villa in 1916 South of the Border, shortly after that he prepared to go to the Western Front and fought in major battles there including Ypres-Lys, Muse-Argonne where he was exposed to gas in 1918, Major Smith received an honorable discharge June 30th 1919. Major Smith put in a total of 18 years in the military and sought out a banking career after leaving the military. Major Smith passed away in 1952 at the age of 69.
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    KH195

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 10, 2013
    1,550
    Virginia
    I’ve posted this one before a while back, not as early as yours it was shipped Apr 10, 1918. Carried by my great grandfather Deane Griffith, Co. I of 110th Infantry, 28th Division PA National Guard in WWI. They saw action in Meuse-Argonne, Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, and Oise-Aisne. He was gassed pretty severely end of July ‘18 during the “Grimpettes Wood” engagement near the town of Cierges in Chateau Thierry. Recovered and rejoined his unit about 3 weeks before the war ended.
     

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    LKGMADMAX

    Active Member
    Sep 9, 2017
    151
    I’ve posted this one before a while back, not as early as yours it was shipped Apr 10, 1918. Carried by my great grandfather Deane Griffith, Co. I of 110th Infantry, 28th Division PA National Guard in WWI. They saw action in Meuse-Argonne, Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, and Oise-Aisne. He was gassed pretty severely end of July ‘18 during the “Grimpettes Wood” engagement near the town of Cierges in Chateau Thierry. Recovered and rejoined his unit about 3 weeks before the war ended.
    Absolutely beautiful, very nice family piece with it's history!

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    rouchna

    Defund the ATF
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 25, 2009
    5,951
    Virginia
    I don't own an early Colt but I am enjoying the posts so far. Thank you for starting this thread.
     
    Jul 1, 2012
    5,711
    Having one with such strong provenance as the two above is marvelous, esp with close family history.

    No known provenance behind this one, but one of my favorites.
    Remington UMC ca. 1918, all correct & original as far as I can tell.
     

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    LKGMADMAX

    Active Member
    Sep 9, 2017
    151
    Having one with such strong provenance as the two above is marvelous, esp with close family history.

    No known provenance behind this one, but one of my favorites.
    Remington UMC ca. 1918, all correct & original as far as I can tell.
    Very clean and crisp, not as common as the Colt. Very desirable piece.

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    Cbrem

    Active Member
    Jan 2, 2017
    281
    Carroll County
    My pride and joy a Colt US Army model 1911, shipped to the San Antonio Arsenal November 19th 1912, 1912 was actually the first year of production for the Colt model 1911. This piece was carried by Major Leon E Smith of the Ohio National Guard (prior 3rd Infantry Company K, later to become part of the 148th) military records show he chased Pancho Villa in 1916 South of the Border, shortly after that he prepared to go to the Western Front and fought in major battles there including Ypres-Lys, Muse-Argonne where he was exposed to gas in 1918, Major Smith received an honorable discharge June 30th 1919. Major Smith put in a total of 18 years in the military and sought out a banking career after leaving the military. Major Smith passed away in 1952 at the age of 69.
    140e89f58b09d6e9a43dd34687b768d3.jpg


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    i love the coins in there with it. Nice
     

    airbornetrooper

    Active Member
    Nov 9, 2017
    137
    VA
    My pride and joy a Colt US Army model 1911, shipped to the San Antonio Arsenal November 19th 1912, 1912 was actually the first year of production for the Colt model 1911. This piece was carried by Major Leon E Smith of the Ohio National Guard (prior 3rd Infantry Company K, later to become part of the 148th) military records show he chased Pancho Villa in 1916 South of the Border, shortly after that he prepared to go to the Western Front and fought in major battles there including Ypres-Lys, Muse-Argonne where he was exposed to gas in 1918, Major Smith received an honorable discharge June 30th 1919. Major Smith put in a total of 18 years in the military and sought out a banking career after leaving the military. Major Smith passed away in 1952 at the age of 69.
    140e89f58b09d6e9a43dd34687b768d3.jpg


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    Terrific picture and display. Your ancillary items and history of the weapon really take it to the next level. How do you know the piece was carried by Major Smith (not doubting you, just wondering on the historiography)? Thank you for posting.
     

    LKGMADMAX

    Active Member
    Sep 9, 2017
    151
    Terrific picture and display. Your ancillary items and history of the weapon really take it to the next level. How do you know the piece was carried by Major Smith (not doubting you, just wondering on the historiography)? Thank you for posting.
    Thanks for the comments! The gun was purchased from the majors grandson. Also did extensive other research even going to the historian of the Ohio National Guard and have several email exchanges between them and myself. I used ancestry.com to procure his military records which matched up with the letter I received from the Ohio National Guard.

    A few more pictures, the grandson said the original holster had dry-rotted and had fallen apart so they discard it, I was able to find anicrly marked Rock Island Arsenal 1912 swivel type holster with leg strap which would have been correct for the pistol. Also located a Rock Island Arsenal marked leather magazine pouch dated 1913. Also a couple of Keyhole magazines which would have also been correct to the pistol based on serial number. The great picture of the officers was taken at Camp Sheridan in Alabama prior to shipping out to the Western Front those are all officers in the picture the major is on the front row with his arms crossed, #4.
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    mawkie

    C&R Whisperer
    Sep 28, 2007
    4,337
    Catonsville
    Wow, nice pistols guys! And not just one but two keyhole mags! Have to think the survival rate on those early mags to be low.
     

    LKGMADMAX

    Active Member
    Sep 9, 2017
    151
    Wow, nice pistols guys! And not just one but two keyhole mags! Have to think the survival rate on those early mags to be low.
    Thank you! They are rather rare, they were only produced for a short period of time as they worked through the cracking issues with the various non heat-treated magazines. Shortly after moving to and producing the keyhole magazines they decided to go to the heat treated ones.

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    mawkie

    C&R Whisperer
    Sep 28, 2007
    4,337
    Catonsville
    The only early 1911 I have in the vault. Springfield Armory dated to 1915. Managed to scrounge a proper "folded" base magazine for it. Sports a replacement Colt barrel so a probably never-ending search for a Springfield barrel has been on-going since.
    M1912 Calvary holster is RIA 1915 dated as well.
     

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    LKGMADMAX

    Active Member
    Sep 9, 2017
    151
    The only early 1911 I have in the vault. Springfield Armory dated to 1915. Managed to scrounge a proper "folded" base magazine for it. Sports a replacement Colt barrel so a probably never-ending search for a Springfield barrel has been on-going since.
    M1912 Calvary holster is RIA 1915 dated as well.
    Very nice rig!


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