New acquisition. 1917 build date in really good condition. It does have a two tone magazine but no lanyard on the mag. Holster is a RIA swivel Calvary with ammo pouch
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Birdog009
What will a colt letter show for this? Will it simply tell me what depot it went to and when or will it show a specific military unit?
A Colt Archive letter will only show where the gun was shipped from the factory.
After that, no records were kept, so where it went or who used it is unknown.
In a VERY few cases some additional information might be known, but those are very rare cases.
The holster is a Model 1912 Mounted holster.
Usually these were intended to be used by the Cavalry, but they often wound up with other users, especially the Marines, for some reason.
The Model 1912 was used up into early WWII by armored crewmen until the supply was used up.
It's unusual to find one in that nice condition and made that early.
After that, no records were kept, so where it went or who used it is unknown.
In a VERY few cases some additional information might be known, but those are very rare cases.
The holster is a Model 1912 Mounted holster.
Usually these were intended to be used by the Cavalry, but they often wound up with other users, especially the Marines, for some reason.
The Model 1912 was used up into early WWII by armored crewmen until the supply was used up.
It's unusual to find one in that nice condition and made that early.
Your Model 1911 Colt was shipped July 6, 1917 to Springfied Armory.
The swivel holster's official designation was: "Holster, Model of 1912, For Colt's Caliber .45 Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, Model of 1911". It was made for general issue, but a holster without the swivel was made in very limited quantities for general issue, but not to the cavalry as it had no swivel or leg strap. The Signal Corps had requested such a holster.
The Model 1912 holster did not hold up well and was discontinued in 1916. A new holster without the swivel assembly was issued with a wire loop for attachment to the utility or cartridge belt. It remained the issue holster for the 1911/1911A1 pistol.
The swivel holster's official designation was: "Holster, Model of 1912, For Colt's Caliber .45 Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, Model of 1911". It was made for general issue, but a holster without the swivel was made in very limited quantities for general issue, but not to the cavalry as it had no swivel or leg strap. The Signal Corps had requested such a holster.
The Model 1912 holster did not hold up well and was discontinued in 1916. A new holster without the swivel assembly was issued with a wire loop for attachment to the utility or cartridge belt. It remained the issue holster for the 1911/1911A1 pistol.
Birdog009,
Congratulations ! (Interesting leather !)
Your Pistol would have shipped with a COLT military two-tone magazine without a lanyard loop, the last COLT Pistol that shipped with a lanyard loop mag was No 125566.
Best Regards,
The three issue .45 Auto hip holsters. These are modern replicas........
The Model 1912 Mounted (Cavalry) This replica is a lined El Paso Saddlery....
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The Model 1912 Dismounted (Infantry). The extra stud up on the drop loop was so the flap could be rolled over and pinned open.....
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The standard issue until 1984, the Model 1916 Dismounted.
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The Model 1912 Mounted (Cavalry) This replica is a lined El Paso Saddlery....
The Model 1912 Dismounted (Infantry). The extra stud up on the drop loop was so the flap could be rolled over and pinned open.....
The standard issue until 1984, the Model 1916 Dismounted.
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