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WWI Colt .45

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by RussBow6, Nov 8, 2009.

  1. Nov 8, 2009 at 7:02 PM
    #1
    RussBow6

    RussBow6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I know you guys love your pics so...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    it was my great grandfather's sidearm during WWI. I guess he forgot to check it back in when the war ended haha... he gave it to my grandpa and then my dad and now me.

    its not registered so i was hoping i could register it in my name and clean it up and take it to the range for some fun. i dont know anything about the process though... can i just walk into a gun shop and register it? how should i go about doing that?
     
  2. Nov 9, 2009 at 3:24 AM
    #2
    RCBS

    RCBS How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    not sure if you can register it...it does say "United States Property" on the side.
     
  3. Nov 9, 2009 at 7:01 AM
    #3
    Warren Thompson

    Warren Thompson GeoTaco

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    Dude!! Why would have to register this gun? Are you in a city that illegally requires registration?? The gun is yours and needs no federal registration. Be proud of you family pride. You do not have to register this gun. Join the NRA and understand your rights as a firearm owner.

    The tradition of firearms in this country is strong. Do not succumb to the anti-gun forces. They obviously are making you feel guilty for owning the gun, thus the need to "register" it. IT IS YOURS!!!

    BTW, the gun is a 1911A1, and could not have been in service in WW1. The 1911A1 was produced after about 1922 to replace the WW1 1911s.
     
  4. Nov 9, 2009 at 7:06 AM
    #4
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911_pistol

    Service history
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    Comparison of government-issue M1911 and M1911A1 pistols


    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    M15 General Officers adopted by the U.S. Army in the 1970s for issue to Generals.


    Following its success in trials, the Colt pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, thus gaining its designation, M1911 (Model of 1911). It was adopted by the Navy and Marine Corps in 1913. Originally manufactured only by Colt, demand for the firearm in World War I saw the expansion of manufacture to the government-owned Springfield Armory.
    Battlefield experience in the First World War led to some more small external changes, completed in 1924. The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1. Changes to the original design were minor and consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, a longer grip safety spur (to prevent hammer bite), a wider front sight, a shorter spur on the hammer, and simplified grip checkering by eliminating the "Double Diamond" reliefs. Those unfamiliar with the design are often unable to tell the difference between the two versions at a glance. No significant internal changes were made, and parts remained interchangeable between the two.
    Working for the U.S. Ordnance Office, David Marshall Williams developed a .22 training version of the M1911 using a floating chamber to give the .22 long rifle rimfire recoil similar to the .45 version. As the Colt Service Ace, this was available both as a handgun and as a conversion kit for .45 M1911 pistols.
     
  5. Nov 9, 2009 at 7:08 AM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Looks like you may have a "Newer" one....made after 1924. You should be able to get the exact year built by the serial number.
     
  6. Nov 9, 2009 at 7:42 AM
    #6
    High-Gear

    High-Gear Zombie Killer

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    Last I checked MO was still a "Free State" with regard to firearms. Unless there is some local law you do not need to register the firearm. It does not make a difference about the US property stamp. Almost all WWI vintage 1911's will have this stamp. The US sold them as surplus when they were retired from service, much like they use to do with jeeps (Why can't they do that with Hummvee?)

    Anyway, I would not entertain any idea of restoring that pistol! Repeat do not restore it! Clean it, preserve it, shoot it, enjoy it, (love it..but not in that way :D) but do not refinish it. You will lose most if its value if someone talks you into thiat. You can not replace that original patina.

    Way cool pistol and awesome heirloom! Congrats!
     
  7. Nov 9, 2009 at 7:45 AM
    #7
    EMTaco

    EMTaco Well-Known Member

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    Seat belt chime mod, more yet to come....
    x2...don't think about 'restoring' it!!!!!!!
     
  8. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:15 AM
    #8
    NraFan

    NraFan Join the NRA! Protect your freedom!

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    The biggest mistake people make with relic firearms is trying to make them look pretty. These gund have more value with authentic patina. Keep it original. Clean it up if you want, but DO NOT restore it. I would hop online and check your state laws on registering that weapon. A lot of states do not require registration of guns that old. I wouldn't register it regardless. But thats me. Do what you want.
     
  9. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM
    #9
    RussBow6

    RussBow6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    no no my writing must of given some people the wrong idea. i in no way want to restore/clean the gun for show or make it shiny or anything like that again. just clean/oil it and make it usable... i dont think a round has gone through it since great gramps used it for real and i want to remedy that.

    i just wanna make sure i do it all right and dont be that guy that loses it for the family cause somebody at the range or a cop decides to check paperwork and i dont have anything to show.

    i need to check this ww1 story now too... i thought it went he was in charge of a pow camp during ww1 and this was his sidearm. he was a drunk after the war though and put my grandpa and siblings in an orphanage and died when my dad was 11 so the story is tough to bring up to my grandpa. i'll try and get it straight though before my grandpa heads upstairs. where can i run the serial #?
     
  10. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:28 AM
    #10
    shook0002

    shook0002 "The Fuzz"

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    What a nice piece of history you have there. Don't restore it! Don't worry about paperwork its a family heirloom and perfectly legal. You do not have to register or have any paperwork for a firearm. All police can do is run the serial # to see if its reported stolen, but many guns have similar serial #'s so its not always accurate, and theres no name "registered" to a gun like a car. I remember a few years ago I responded to a person with a gun call, the idiot stole one of those from his grandfather who was in WWII and used it to threaten his girlfriends new boyfriend. I was so mad because I knew that gun would be melted down.
     
  11. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:34 AM
    #11
    RussBow6

    RussBow6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt production.htm

    1941 721978-756733 Colt 34,756
    so that shoots the story to hell. maybe he fought in ww1 and was in charge of the pow camp during ww2... makes more sense. now i'm pumped up to get the real story. thanks for pointing that out to me guys
     
  12. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:36 AM
    #12
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    Don't register it!
     
  13. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:38 AM
    #13
    RussBow6

    RussBow6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    thanks shook. it is pretty cool. i was really pumped when my dad told me it was my turn to have it. now i'm just making sure i dont screw it all up.

    so if i take it to a range or something use it or ever get asked for proof of ownership and stuff like that... i can just say its been passed on through my family and i'm good to go?
     
  14. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:50 AM
    #14
    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    Good looking pistol. :cool:
     
  15. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:51 AM
    #15
    shook0002

    shook0002 "The Fuzz"

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    I've never heard of a range asking for proof of ownership, and as a cop I've never asked for proof of ownership. The only time that comes into play is when it is used in a crime or you are arrested. Then a gun trace is sent to the ATF to determine (if possible) the weapons origin. Due to the age of that gun I don't even think ownership would be remotely traceable. Basically as long as the gun isn't reported stolen, and you aren't committing a crime with it you'll be just fine. I know here in PA and in many other states a firearm can be transferred between family members without any paperwork. Also here a gun can be lent between persons without a issue. Here if we do a pistol transfer (unrelated persons) we just go to a gun dealer for a instacheck (background check) and the paperwork shows the guns ownership is being transferred to a new owner, this is not a registration. I would find a good gunsmith in your area and have him inspect it before you go to the range just to make sure everything is good to go.
     
  16. Nov 9, 2009 at 9:59 AM
    #16
    Warren Thompson

    Warren Thompson GeoTaco

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    Who was the manufacturer? Ithaca? Remington Rand? Colt? Springfield? It should be on the left side of the slide. You could have a real collector item there. I agree you should have it completely inspected by a gunsmith before you use it, but definitely USE IT!! The value of this piece is probably over $1500.
     
  17. Nov 9, 2009 at 10:03 AM
    #17
    RussBow6

    RussBow6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    alright awesome. i'm feeling good about this.

    i've been cleaning and oiling my 2 shotguns and my .22 forever i've just never had a handgun before so maybe i will take it somewhere and have them walk me through how to properly care for a handgun before i try and do it myself. it'd be sweet to take it to the range or my gramps farm this week for some fun
     
  18. Nov 9, 2009 at 10:07 AM
    #18
    Warren Thompson

    Warren Thompson GeoTaco

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    If you are comfortable with the mechanics of the pistol, google it. There is plenty of info online about strippping and cleaning the 1911. Save the money of a gunsmith to purchase some .45 auto!!

    So who is the manufacturer??
     
  19. Nov 9, 2009 at 10:12 AM
    #19
    RussBow6

    RussBow6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    haha yeah sorry... its colt. i dont think its anything too special though... it looks like that serial # range has just under 35k guns in it... i'd never sell it anyway but it would be cool to know!



    [​IMG]

    the knife was supposedly made by a pow for my great grandpa too. but its a camillus blade... maybe the guy just put the blade on the handle and fashioned the grip? i'll try and find that out too.
     
  20. Nov 9, 2009 at 10:23 AM
    #20
    Warren Thompson

    Warren Thompson GeoTaco

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    Take both the Colt and knife to the next gun show that comes to your area. It is legal to do, if it is visible and not loaded. Show it around. You will get tons of info on it from many folks who know a lot. You will make many friends also:D
     

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