A Pair of OLD M1911 Pistols.

[Adam Helmer]

I had the pleasant job of detail stripping and cleaning a pair of historically significant Colt M1911 pistols recently.

The first had a serial number of 135xxx which means it was made in 1916 and was in Very Good condition. It apparently had a WWII overhaul because it has an arched mainspring housing, plastic grips and is parkerized.

The second had a serial number of 164xxx which means it was made in 1917 and was in Excellent condition. This pistol has the commercial Colt blue finish, wide hammer spur, early diamond grips and the magazine had the cavalry lanyard loop in addition to the lanyard loop at the base of the flat mainspring housing.

As I cleaned and reassembled these venerable old "War Horses", I had to wonder where they have been for 92 years since 1916 and 1917. These pieces will reside in a historical exhibit in perpetutity. I am sorry I do not know the details of where these pistols have been and who used them. We can only imagine the details.

Adam