Birthday Picture
- Thread starter Recusant
- Start date
Annihilator
Emissary
Can’t tell, plastic or wood grips?
KillerFord1977
SAINT
It’s a model 1911 from 1924
Recusant
Hellcat
They are wood. I'll give members 2 hints: one is the year it was made and the other is the serial number. This will explain why the slide says"MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY but it has milled finger clearance cuts on the frame at the rear of the trigger which is correct.
Yes, it turns 100 this year, but what is this model known as?
Recusant
Hellcat
Winner winner chicken dinner!! Yep, here's the scoop:
In June of 1923 Colt was awarded a contract to manufacture 10,000 “Improved Automatic Pistols, Caliber .45, Model of 1911,” and Springfield Armory assigned these pistols with serial numbers 700001-710000. Yes, as Belt Fed stated these have become known as the Transition Model. This pistol is the two hundredth ninety second pistol of the 10,000 Colt Model 1911 Pistols manufactured for the army. The Improved Model 1911 Pistols retained the Model of 1911 and incorporated the five major modifications or improvements approved by the Ordnance Department earlier in 1923: (1) extended grip safety tang, (2) clearance cuts in the sides of the receiver, (3) raised and knurled mainspring housing, (4) shorter trigger with knurled face and (5) wider front sight. The pistols had a brushed blue finish and were fitted with fully checkered, oil-finished, walnut stocks. Each pistol was delivered with a WWI production, two-tone, flat base, magazine. This pistol is stamped with the circular "WTG" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Captain Walter T. Gorton. The monogram has the single circle used below serial number 702000. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911.U.S. ARMY". The Rampant Colt, which is centered between the patent and address lines, is the correct Colt Type 5 logo, that was used from approximately serial number 300,001 to 720,000. The right side of the frame was stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" above the serial number behind the slide stop hole. The assembler's number "60" is stamped on the right side of the trigger guard bow. It also has the correct barrel for its serial number. This is one of the few guns I’ve owned that is listed in the Springfield Research Service. There are two entries for 700292, one from 1924 showing it as a NM pistol. It was shipped 06/09/24 to the ENGR RIFLE TEAM. The other from 12/18/33 showing it being sent to Springfield: POST ORD OFF FT. DUPONT. It also has a very interest history.
Recusant
Hellcat
Yes, I've had it for almost 50 years.
Mr.W.
Professional
I thought as much. I offer my congratulations, while I attempt to keep the "Green-Eyed Monster" ar bay!
Mr.W.
Professional
"at bay." Sorry. . .
Old_Me
SAINT
Snake45
Professional
Sadly, mine came to me as a welded-up "holster form," with the barrel welded up solid, and the slide welded to the barrel, frame, barrel bushing, and hammer. I was able to cut the slide away, but had to sacrifice the original slide stop, thumb safety, and hammer. I was able to save the frame, trigger, grip safety, mag catch, and mainspring housing, and I used them to build up a dedicated .22 with a Ciener top end. It's the lower right gun in this pic. I still have the original welded slide, barrel, which makes an amazingly cool paperweight.
Mr.W.
Professional
Nap time. . .