Canadian 1911's???

Skinny 1950

Skinny 1950

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I have a 1911 which I am told was made in 1917 and is allegedly from a Canadian contract or issue..the serial number of my gun is: 785XX
Does anyone know about Canadian 1911's and how the are numbered.
Thanks very much.
 
Someone more up to speed on this may be able to correct or expand on this, but as I understand it, all the 1911 pattern colts, and indeed all the U.S. made pistols purchased for/issued to our military had Canadian inspector/posession stamps on them.
 
Skinny 1950 said:
I have a 1911 which I am told was made in 1917 and is allegedly from a Canadian contract or issue..the serial number of my gun is: 785XX
Does anyone know about Canadian 1911's and how the are numbered.
Thanks very much.
Click to expand...

Does your serial number have a "C" prefix?

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Yes it has a prefix "C' here is a picture:

Canissue1911fancy.jpg


No that is not my gun.:eek:
Here it is:

1911inDaylight002-1.jpg

1911inDaylight001.jpg


I have posted this before and pointed out that someone has replaced the sights,I put the grips on (not original) and there is a trigger pad on it that is not original. It is a fine shooter but not as it came from the factory.
 
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Civilian model. I have one with a "C" prefix, and understand that it is not a military issue. ??
 
There were 5000 purchased for the CDN government in WW1. They are numbered in the C3000 to C13500 range. They have a C broad arrow on the left of the rear of the slide and behind the trigger guard on the left. We also had some 1911 A1s for WW2.
 
browningautorifle said:
There were 5000 purchased for the CDN government in WW1. They are numbered in the C3000 to C13500 range. They have a C broad arrow on the left of the rear of the slide and behind the trigger guard on the left. We also had some 1911 A1s for WW2.
Click to expand...

WW1 Colt 1911s were private purchases and are not necessarily marked with a C Broad Arrow (unless they were bought by the gov't later)


I like the engraved Colt as well!

OP;
One sure way to know about your gun's history - send for the letter
http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/ArchiveServices.aspx
It will look like this when you get it

100_5418.jpg
 
That is the sure way to know.
Unfortunately, even if it turns out to be one of the 5000, I don't think it will affect the value of your gun - it is what it is.
So maybe the $100 is better spent on ammo than a letter!?
 
Sorry Canuck, but you will find what I say true. There were ALSO private purchase guns. This is beyond the proof marked ones. They can't be proven without great effort and then only maybe. You even prove what I say with the letter you show.
 
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ArtyMan said:
I know some may call blasphemy, but that first one sure is nice...
Click to expand...

I like the engraving, but I would choose different grips, possibly ebony.

The adjustable sights on the other gun are, well, unsightly. I don't like the way they just sit on top of the slide as an afterthought instead of being recessed into the slide.
 
Jst remember that Officers were NOT of the common clay. They were GENTLEMEN and thus knew everything they needed to know about personal weapons.

This means that an Officer received a cash grant for personal wapons and, from this, purchased his own sword and pistol.

I had a good friend who was promoted from the ranks; he entered the Army as a Private soldier and ended up as a Captain. His pay was docked to pay for the Mark VI Webley which the Army supplied him with. He kept the gun, of course, sent it back during the Second War to help out. That's one I wish I could trace.

The factory letter is the ONLY way to sort out one like this.

As far as the sights are concerned, they are good target sights as-is. Good point is that they also are easily replaced if the gun is to go back to original.

Very Nice Toy.

(Don't tell my old boss this, but the "pimp's special" is very nicely done!)

Hope this helps.
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Again thanks everyone..I came across this very informative web site that clears up the mystery for me.
My gun is a commercial model made in 1917 but not part of the few Canadian Contract ones..anyway it still shoots great and now has adjustable sights.....(blasphemy) I know but it wasn't me that did it!:eek:

http://www.sightm1911.com/1911.htm

When you get to the home page click on the left "Production Information".
 
Yes, Melanie, there were 100 Colt 1911s built in Canada, right at the end of the Great War. They are marked NORTH AMERICAN ARMS and they are so rare that it hurts even to think about them. They were made for a short time in the former Ross Rifle Company plant, which was also hosting the experiments on the HUOT Machine Gun, which was made up in part from Ross Rifle parts. Production was shut down at the Armistice, there being no need for more pistols.

I really WISH I had a couple of each!

By the way, I note the low post number: welcome aboard! It's a fun ride and it gets funner as we go along!
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