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Post by CXM on Aug 14, 2017 10:45:49 GMT -5
Speaking of 1911s, I was doing some annual cleaning and I pulled this out for a bit of oil... so I thought I'd share it...  This one is a 1947 vintage 38 Super made when Colt's was trying to get as many pistols out the door as they could following the cancellation of WWII government contracts in 1945. This example combines Pre WWII 38 Super parts with WWII production parts... the grips are pure WWII GI.  Colt's finish was not up to pre WWII finish, but it was still pretty good...  I don't think Colt's ever got back to pre WWII standards... much less pre WWI standards... This example was made in early 1912 first few months of commercial 1911 production.  Ah for the old days... pistols like this one cost almost $25!!!  V/r Chuck |
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Post by ruber on Aug 14, 2017 14:09:44 GMT -5
Beautiful, thanks for sharing!!
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Post by Carolinaman on Aug 14, 2017 14:44:00 GMT -5
Hello Chuck,
What gorgeous examples of Colt 1911's! I am very, very impressed to say the least!
Chris
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Post by gt40doc on Aug 14, 2017 14:54:40 GMT -5
That 1912 1911 is STAGGERING!!! It is absolutely beautiful. I own a 1914 1911, but no where near a nice as yours.....you lucky devil!!
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Post by CXM on Aug 14, 2017 15:10:02 GMT -5
I am indeed lucky... VERY lucky... also patient and wait for what I REALLY want...  I am doubly lucky to have all the friends I do... Friend Vant put me onto a 1912 Colt commercial very close in S/N to the one shown... I was able to buy it at a fair price... unfortunately it had not had an easy life and someone had run it through a bumper shop to get a chrome job. Happily I have access to a refinisher who does good work... I'm hoping it will look very much like the one I posted when it is finished... with some luck in five or six weeks... When it is finished I'll post some photos... it even has an original 'key hole' magazine!!!! V/r Chuck |
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Post by trooper on Aug 15, 2017 1:26:59 GMT -5
Oh my.
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Post by CXM on Sept 11, 2018 8:11:43 GMT -5
I have been a bit derelict in following up this post with the 'after' photos of the old 1911. First pic is a 'before' showing the work done by the bumper shop... the old Colt's American walnut grips are long gone...  Here is the first 'after' view... these photos are not very good... and lighting isn't the best either... but they do show the change...  And here is the other side... I'm pretty pleased with the condition of the old gun...  For some reason the old style Colt's 'fire blue' of the small parts on the gun did now show up in the photos... but in person the fire blue looks really nice. So that is the end to the story... some dignity restored to the old girl and a well deserved retirement away from whoever messed the gun up. V/r Chuck |
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Post by Bob Reed on Sept 11, 2018 8:44:55 GMT -5
Chuck, she looks outstanding!
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Post by Mister Coffee on Sept 11, 2018 11:07:35 GMT -5
Impressive guns in this thread, Chuck. You've done some fine collecting. The rehab on the chromed item came out remarkably well. Would love to see more pics of the roll marks. Thanks for sharing. I love looking at these beautiful old 1911s.  |
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Post by warthogge on Sept 27, 2018 21:34:16 GMT -5
Very nice! Love the way they spelled "Calibre" back then.
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Post by abninftr on Sept 27, 2018 23:59:13 GMT -5
Mate, it is still spelt 'calibre' where I come from. You lot even changed the spelling of centre, fibre, and a lot more. Don't get me started on 'aluminium'.
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Post by CXM on Sept 28, 2018 6:35:11 GMT -5
The fact both the British and Americans are supposed to speak a common language can be confusing at times... For example... Several of us stationed in Germany went up to Munster Germany for a meeting with some counterparts from the British Army of the Rhein... We all sat down at the long table in the meeting room and a British Army gent with red tabs on his collar came in, put his kit gloves and swagger stick on the table and sat down... then he announced since we were all there we should 'table' the issue... The Americans looked at each other in puzzlement... we had journeyed overnight for the meeting and now the other guys wanted to table the matter?  ?? Happily there was a Brit major who spoke some American... he explained that in "English" to table the matter meant to open the matter for discussion... unlike "American" English in which it means the opposite... Then there was the time when I was about 22 or so when I visited London... I met a really nice English girl, and we enjoyed each other's company for most of the week I was there... On the last evening I was there and was saying goodbye she announced that next time I was in London I must come around and "knock her up!!!" At this point I concluded she really was a NICE girl... and was trying to think of how I might extend my stay. Sadly I was told that "knock up" in "English" meant to come and call on her... Talk about disappointment.... I think it was Churchill who observed Americans and British are divided by a common language... FWIW Chuck Mate, it is still spelt 'calibre' where I come from. You lot even changed the spelling of centre, fibre, and a lot more. Don't get me started on 'aluminium'. |
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Post by craig on Oct 27, 2018 13:06:59 GMT -5
I enjoyed the eye candy. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing !
Craig
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Post by craig on Dec 26, 2018 17:47:50 GMT -5
Roughly how much does it cost to have one stripped of plating & reblued ? Wondering if it would be cost effective for a WWII R.R. 1911, & a bring back 9mm Luger if the object iss to sell ?
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Post by CXM on Dec 26, 2018 19:59:21 GMT -5
I had the work on mine done by Ford's in Crystal River Florida. How much depends on exactly what work you want done... I was lucky... when the chrome and the copper under it were removed the roll stamps were is pretty good shape... they didn't require much touching up so the price I paid was not a lot more than the cost of the refinish... Again, the cost of refinish varies depending on how high a polish you want on the pistol... I got the period blue put on it so it would look original... The bottom line was a bit under $400... which I thought was a deal. Here is a link to Ford's: www.fordsguns.com/gallery#&gid=1998295050&pid=30 You might want to call them and tell them exactly what you have and ask their advice on what to do to restore the guns... I have seen a Luger they did and it really looked nice. A Parkerization job for a 1911 should be pretty easy and I am pretty sure they can give it a grayish look too. I have been happy with their work... though like almost everyone doing this sort of work they are perpetually behind and can be expected to run some months late... which for me was ok because I expected it when I started out. V/r Chuck Roughly how much does it cost to have one stripped of plating & reblued ? Wondering if it would be cost effective for a WWII R.R. 1911, & a bring back 9mm Luger if the object iss to sell ? |
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?? Happily there was a Brit major who spoke some American... he explained that in "English" to table the matter meant to open the matter for discussion... unlike "American" English in which it means the opposite...
