dokcop
10-14-2015, 05:09
A little knowledgeable help would be much appreciated.
I've just acquired an early (#24883) 1911 in excellent ..90 per cent or better….original (I hope) condition. I am a serious pre- to WW I 1903 collector but a 1911 novice, and bought this lovely pistol, complete with 1913 dated 1912 holster, and original Mills 1917 dated double magazine pouch, because of it's provenance; the original owner, an Engineer Corps major on Pershing's staff in 1918 France, is a very well documented gentleman. I bought the gear from his grandson.
I've read the pertinent sections of Edward Meadows' excellent book on 1911s of this vintage and the gun appears completely correct in all respects with two exceptions:
(1) The rear sight is the "type 2", without the rounded edges. Meadows relates that the 1913 rear sight change occurred at about SN 60,000 "based on observed specimens", but that "Pistols with either round or flat top sights will be found into the 60,000 serial number range" A bit vague. Can #24883 be correct with the type two rear sight?
(2) The slide is not serial numbered under the firing pin retainer plate. I've read in a source I cannot recall that 1911s of this period should bear the last four numbers of the receiver SN under the plate. Is that correct?
All imput gratefully accepted. Regards, Dokcop@gmail.com.
I've just acquired an early (#24883) 1911 in excellent ..90 per cent or better….original (I hope) condition. I am a serious pre- to WW I 1903 collector but a 1911 novice, and bought this lovely pistol, complete with 1913 dated 1912 holster, and original Mills 1917 dated double magazine pouch, because of it's provenance; the original owner, an Engineer Corps major on Pershing's staff in 1918 France, is a very well documented gentleman. I bought the gear from his grandson.
I've read the pertinent sections of Edward Meadows' excellent book on 1911s of this vintage and the gun appears completely correct in all respects with two exceptions:
(1) The rear sight is the "type 2", without the rounded edges. Meadows relates that the 1913 rear sight change occurred at about SN 60,000 "based on observed specimens", but that "Pistols with either round or flat top sights will be found into the 60,000 serial number range" A bit vague. Can #24883 be correct with the type two rear sight?
(2) The slide is not serial numbered under the firing pin retainer plate. I've read in a source I cannot recall that 1911s of this period should bear the last four numbers of the receiver SN under the plate. Is that correct?
All imput gratefully accepted. Regards, Dokcop@gmail.com.