kfields Posted January 18, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2017 My son and I went to the Ohio Gun Collectors Show in Wilmington, Ohio on January 7. It is always great enjoyment to see a lot of collectable firearms all in one building. I was on the hunt for a WW1 vintage Colt pistol and I was not disappointed by the selection there. The price range was all over the place from pristine pre-WW1 Colt 1911s in the $5K range and pristine finish "Black Army" pistols for $3K to poorly kept and/or highly modified 1911's for $7-$8 hundred. I was looking for a Colt 1911 that saw use but in original condition. Honest finish wear was fine with me. I ended up purchasing this Colt pistol for $1,000 from one of the vendors after some slight negotiation on price and a handshake. It is one of the Colt pistols delivered to the AEF in the summer of 1918. Those that are knowledgeable about 1911's know that the finish on these late WW1 Colt's did not hold up well. This pistol appears to retain all of its original components. The barrel is " P H " marked and the bore is shiny and bright. I thought I would show what the market is like in my small part of the world. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfields Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted January 18, 2017 more pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 18, 2017 Share #3 Posted January 18, 2017 Thats got a nice look to it. Congratulations on your purchase.Something to enjoy for years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-Cal Posted January 18, 2017 Share #4 Posted January 18, 2017 Very nice. I have one with a serial 200 from yours. From the little research I've done I think this batch was shipped to France from Brooklyn, NY on the 25th of Jun 1918. If you have any research please share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheeltim Posted January 18, 2017 Share #5 Posted January 18, 2017 For what appears to be an all original period piece, I think you did good for $1000. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted January 18, 2017 Share #6 Posted January 18, 2017 ?! You did well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdk0911 Posted January 18, 2017 Share #7 Posted January 18, 2017 very nice 1911 - well done - how does the gun shoot!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted January 18, 2017 Share #8 Posted January 18, 2017 Yup, looks like a good honest one. Nice..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nack Posted January 18, 2017 Share #9 Posted January 18, 2017 Wow - super nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted January 19, 2017 Share #10 Posted January 19, 2017 Nice honest looking gun, I think you did very well. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfields Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted January 19, 2017 Thanks for everyone's replies. When I got it home, my son and I did a function check with one magazine of common range ammo. No specific target other than a block of firewood about 25 feet off the back porch. It worked fine of course. I then disassembled, cleaned & oiled it up and put it in a display case so I can stare at it every day. Per William H.D. Goddard's book The 1911's, serial # 342794 shipped in a group of 10,000 pistols, serial numbered between 334157 and 348960 to the Navy Yard, Bush Terminal, Brooklyn NY on June 25, 1918. Will never know for certain but there is probably an excellent chance this pistol was issued to a soldier in time to see action in the last big campaign of the war. A seriously cool pistol! Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdonzi Posted February 13, 2017 Share #12 Posted February 13, 2017 great gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collector Posted February 13, 2017 Share #13 Posted February 13, 2017 love those 1911s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted February 14, 2017 Share #14 Posted February 14, 2017 Very nice looking pistola! Great find. Congrats. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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