[varifleman]

I've attached for your enjoyment a few photos of my London-proofed Colt .45 ACP Government Model pistol serial number C13731 made in 1914 and shipped to Colt's London Armoury Agency in late 1914 or early 1915. The Colt was apparently a private purchase by 1st Lt. G. C. Wilkins ( a 1918 Harvard graduate) whose name and rank is inscribed on the accompanying US Model 1912 Cavalry holster which unfortunately has no maker's name or date stamped on it. I'm waiting on the Colt letter for this pistol which should provide some interesting information

 

[varifleman]

A few more photos:

 

[Jim K]

Reblued slide but otherwise a very nice gun. You were lucky to be able to trace the original owner. I doubt the Colt letter will provide any information you don't have already, but who knows.

Jim

 

[varifleman]

Here's some more information for 1st LT Wilkins; interesting that his father was English and that he was given familiarization training for the Colt Model 1895 machine gun by an English officer.

Workman, Clark & Co. in Belfast, Ireland built the fifth ship named Cardiganshire in 1913 with a tonnage of 9,426grt, a length of 520ft, a beam of 62ft 5in and a service speed of 14 knots. She was launched for Royal Mail Steam Packet Company but allocated to the Shire Line for the Far East run and was the largest and fastest ship on that route. In September of 1914 she was used to ferry units of the British Expeditionary Forces across the Channel and in February of 1915 was taken over by the Admiralty for a voyage to Zeebruge with troops and war supplies. As the ship approached Zeebruge (1) the Belgian pilot ordered full speed ahead and steered her into the mole causing damage to the bow. The pilot was subsequently arrested, investigated and shot for sabotage. In April of 1915 she participated in the Dardanelles campaign. On 14th January 1917, a submarine in the Mediterranean chased her and later that year crossed the Atlantic and brought US troops to Britain. Her first reported trip carrying US troops was on 28 May 1918 when the 2nd Trench Mortar Battalion embarked aboard the Cardiganshire at Port of Embarkation Boston, MA. and sailed the next day 29th May, 1918. The HMS Cardiganshire sailed with 20 Officers and 886 enlisted men of the 2nd Trench Mortar Battalion and 32 Officers and 726 enlisted men of the HQ Co., Supply Co. Batteries E & F of the 309th Field Artillery, 78th Division. The Cardiganshire arrived overseas on June 12, 1918.

 

[gdmoody]

Dang, it has taken eight years to get that information!