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Professional photos of my 1911

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5K views 31 replies 17 participants last post by  tuckerd1 
#1 · (Edited)
This pistol is very near and dear to my heart since my best friend's dad owned in (bought it in 1950) and I spent many hours chatting with his father about the Korean war, how he was shot retreating with the Army at the Chosen Reservoir, etc. I was fortunate to retain this firearm and accessories (original belt not shown) for $1800.

As for me, a WW1 and WW2 flight nut historian...I have been a member of the Museum of Flight in Seattle since 1979 when I hired into the Boeing company at age 18. I've grown up in the museum, my boys have grown up there, and we STILL visit it to this day at LEAST once a year or more when relatives visits, the whole "fam Damily".

A few years ago, the Museum of Flight put in a VERY nice WWI floor with exhibits ranging from airplanes to what officers and infantry used for weapons in WW1. Those of you that have visited know how well they did this floor.

I am considering donating my Colt 1911 (made in 1916) , the Rock Island -made 1913 holster (issued with the pistol per Brian's dad), and the M1912 Squad Cleaning Kit (still need 5 brass rods, 7 tools, and 9 Hogs hair brushes to make it complete) to the museum. Am I a fool? Am I stupid? Should I just hand it down to the next generation of 2nd Amendment supports? (my sons)

I will submit the photos to the head curator and if agreed upon, I will write it into my trust that this firearm and it's accessories be donate to the MOF for display purposes. Hopefully that action won't happen for another 30-40 years (I am 54) but I did notice that they didn't have a lot of firearms displayed, particularly the 1911 model.

My sons will have my entire 'other' collection so I'm not holding anything back from them.
 

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#3 ·
As you say, your sons will have the rest of your collection, but with this donation, generations of patriots will benefit from seeing it on display. I believe there are ways that you can bequeath an heirloom like this as a loan, while retaining ownership for your sons. Talk to a lawyer before you do anything permanent. Beautiful weapon, by the way!:D
 
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#6 ·
It's a beautiful piece and you're making a wonderful gesture. I agree with Rawright, see if it can be set up as a loan. When you set it up, be sure to arrange for appropriate insurance on it.
 
#9 ·
If given the choices you are faced with, there is nothing more important to me than my family. I'm with George and db.:)
 
#15 ·
Finished the M1912 Squad Cleaning kit! I started out with 3 brass rods and 2 break down tools (plus box, rod holder, cosmoline cloth that holds the the tools) and 5 months later, a complete kit! 10 brass rods (no fakes) 10 break down tools (blued, no stamp) and 2 boar's hair brushes. (okay, so 8 more boar's hair brusheswould be complete technically-speaking, but you know how hard it is to find these?)

A partial kit just sold on Ebayfor $305. I have about $150 invested into this. I suppose it would fetch $400 or better in an auction if I wanted to sell it.

Also shown is an Indian Wars.45-70 Cartridge belt pouchand put the old ammo that Brian gave me with the purchase of that Indian Wars.45-70 SPringfield Trap door. The ammo dates are between 1873 and 1905. This 'set' has a worth of around $300.

Cool pieces of history! Love this sort of stuff!
 

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#16 ·
Also shown is an Indian Wars.45-70 Cartridge belt pouchand put the old ammo that Brian gave me with the purchase of that Indian Wars.45-70 SPringfield Trap door. The ammo dates are between 1873 and 1905. This 'set' has a worth of around $300.

Cool pieces of history! Love this sort of stuff!
Do you have any WWII era .45 ACP ammo with your collection? I know it's not cleaning equipment but I was just wondering.
 
#20 ·
I have checked with my go-to guy for all things old and military, and he agrees with my thought. Prior to WW1 Frankford Arsenal dated their ammo with month AND year.

So those 45s you got were made at Frankford Arsenal (thus the FA) in November of 1911.
 
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#21 ·
"So those 45s you got were made at Frankford Arsenal (thus the FA) in November of 1911."

This raises a question. Some people claim that old shotgun shells shoot with more power as they age, but I don't know why. Not sure about center fire pistol or rifle cartridges.

I wouldn't shoot modern ammo rated +p in your old 1911.
 
#24 ·
That is correct sir. You have some shells made in November and in December of 1911.
 
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#25 ·
Okay... well, baby has a new bed! Relative inexpensive 1981 pristine-shape Colt John M. Browning Commemorative case (minus the gold-laid 1911). She looks so beautiful asleep in her new case with the 'shooter' High Standard barrel (Vertical P H Barrel in the pistol) and unissued Mills ammo pouch (which contains the original two tone mag)

 
#27 ·
Beautiful firearm! It's nice to be able to go out and shoot these guns, but to me the history is what makes them. You can go out and buy a brand new 1911 and shoot all day long and not worry about scratching it up and taking any value away. You can throw this gun in a safe and be enjoyed by no one other than yourself just knowing what it is you own.

I would do like others have said and loan it to the museum but make sure it is kept in your family. A piece of history does no good sitting in a closet. Things like this should be on display for the public to appreciate what our early soldiers used and learn the history of those wars. It is better to see the actual item instead of a photo of one in a history book.

I collect antique trucking memorabilia. Old uniforms, company patches, toy trucks, advertising signs, etc. When I die it does no one in my family no good to hold on to that stuff. The way we have it set up is for my collection to be donated to the American Truck Historical Society. It is family history for me and I'd rather see other like minded people be able to enjoy seeing this stuff more then my wife throwing it up on ebay trying to make a dollar off of it. If we don't preserve our history future generations will have no idea where we came from.
 
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