Here is my Colt 1911 Military from 1913

[CJS57]

Colt 1911 Early 004 - Copy.jpgColt 1911 Early 013.jpgColt 1911 Early 012.jpgColt 1911 Early 008.jpgColt 1911 Early 007 - Copy.jpgI acquired this last year, it was covered in old hardened grease that was quite difficult to remove without disturbing the finish. It was so old and red and hard the dealer thought it was rust speckles! So that helped me on the price. The dealer also said the family member that sold it had a purchase receipt from the Military from way back. I am working on getting a copy. But the gun is what it is andstands on its own.
It is serial 58,xxx. I find it to be completely original and have all the correct parts, inside and out right down to the sharp edged recoil spring guide. The recoil spring itself has cut ends, not filed and dressed flat, so it is questionable. It came with a 1918 holster and 2 late WWI two-tone mags in the web pouch. The family said it was an older family member's sidearm and that he was an officer and served in WWI. The paper will help research that if I can get it. Note: For folks trying to learn originality of finish, notice the sharp raised edges on the WGP circle cartouche and on the rampant Colt. Also the blue green color on the safety. A lot more than that to learn than that but this gun is a good example of the color of blue, and the surface finish under the blue.

[Derry 1946]

An amazing find. Beautiful example. Congratulations, enjoy, and thanks for sharing.

Derry

[Kid Sopris]

Have you shot it yet ?

[moosedog]

That is a very nice example. Good catch.

[Slainte]

Beautyfull 1911 !
How did you get the old gunk down ? Facing the very same.

Thanks

[Oyeboten]

So beautiful!


Darn...if I'd known, I might have been able to pick up a few Magazines for you today at the Gun show...a fellow there had a bunch of early m1911 Lanyard Loop Magazines, and, they are kind of hard to find.

[Malysh]

Superb!!!

[OldCopper]

Darn...if I'd known, I might have been able to pick up a few Magazines for you today at the Gun show...a fellow there had a bunch of early m1911 Lanyard Loop Magazines, and, they are kind of hard to find.

I've been trying to find a couple of these for several months. Have a 1914 Colt 1911 with original mag and want to have a couple more of them for display. Where was the show and do you remember the vendor? Any help would be appreciated. Had the Colt for years, got it from the soldier to whom it was issued, a truly amazing old gentleman!

[OldCopper]

BTW that's a fine set of pics of the ol' Colt. Don't see many of the early 1911s and almost never in such good condition. Yes, Cosmoline can be challenging and always requires some real elbow grease, but the outcome is worth it ... good preservative. Glad you have such a fine piece of history.

[Oyeboten]

I've been trying to find a couple of these for several months. Have a 1914 Colt 1911 with original mag and want to have a couple more of them for display. Where was the show and do you remember the vendor? Any help would be appreciated. Had the Colt for years, got it from the soldier to whom it was issued, a truly amazing old gentleman!

Antique Arms Show, Las Vegas.

Can't say who the Seller was...but the Magazines were not on view, and, had they been, they'd have all disappeared fast I am sure. Nobody else appeared to have anything much in that regard, or, if they did, the prices were very high.

He had some of the exposed Floor Plate edge ones, Key Hole, Commercial and Military Lanyard Loop, and on from there. Most all in nice shape, some showing scuff from use, some well used. I am sorry I did not just buy a few of the kinds I did not need! just to have them as Trade Material or, for a Rainy Day...but, oh well...I got a couple Commercial Magazines for my 1914 Gov't Model, otherwise I just Oooo'd and Ahhhh'd and that was it.


One funny thing about all this, while I myself am not a Magazine Hoarder, many of these older and middle aged Antique Arms dealers who from the 1960s or 1970s on, who were/are into general early 20th Century Colts and S&Ws, were and are ( Magazine Hoarders ), and they have zillions of the darned things tucked away, and, it is beneath their dignity or status or level of involvement to bother rummaging for a few if asked.

I have run into this for years..! Lol...