Canadian Contract 1911s

Here's a 1914 Colt Government Model shipped to London Armoury.

It was in a shipment of 300 pistols and proofed upon arrival.

Probably purchased and taken home by a Canadian soldier who didn't receive one from the Canadian Contract. British and American soldiers may have also purchased these in London from London Armoury.











It seems like a few London Armoury Colts are popping up lately. I decided to add this one to the thread so members can see what the London Armoury proofs look like and how they're different from Canadian Contract examples (but still very desirable).

-Steve
 
Garand said:
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I just buy the originals, have 4 Canadian Contract Colt's at home now, Canada Post will deliver #5 by the end of the week and I'm dealing on number 6 now. Only 4994 more to go, but I don't think I'll get the one from the National War museum, the Citadel, or The museum of the Regiments.
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Real nice pieces
 
Some real nice guns here, Guys. Thanks.

If anyone is interested I have some pics of my S&W 1st Model Hand-Ejector (Triple-lock) around my house somewhere. 1 of 100 made. At least 90% blue with holster.
 
Actually, a total of about 15,000 Triple Lock (First Model Hand Ejector) revolvers were produced by S&W.

Mind you, when the U.K. ordered .455-chambered Hand Ejector revolvers for WWI service, they first got the First Model "Triple Lock", but found that model to be too heavy and thus received mostly the Second Model ("Double Lock"). I understand that when Canada ordered about 14,500 of the S&W Second Model in 1915, it agreed to accept a few First Models made up from parts on hand at S&W, so I presume that might be the source of your statement.

I'd love to have such a First Model, as they are indeed scarce! FWIW, here is my Canadian-purchase Second Model:

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H.W. McBride mentioned a soldier in his section from Quebec whose mother sent him a .45 Colt from Canada. Pistols didn't usually get sent home with dead men's effects, they were kept in service. This happened with a relative of mine: he wrote home about how he'd purchased an automatic, but it was not listed among his effects sent back to the base when he was killed. Great thread; I'd rather have a named private purchase than an un-named M&D purchase any day, nice though they all are. And as for the brown patina, that's the mud of Flanders, in colour at least. More meaning than a bright blue to my eyes.
 
GrantR--
The one I have is a commercial version with the underbarrel....shroud, or cover over the ejector rod. From what I understand it was bought by an officer before shipping out. Has a (approx) 5 inch barrel, so the holster is kinda crunched at the end.
Very nice 2nd Model!
I'll see what I can do about the pics. tonight.
 
Here it is. I had a shot with the original grips beside it, but it's disappeared .









Excuse my lack of photography skills.
Here's one of my relatives commercial 1911. Been reblued it seems.

 
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Love em both. I have no good reason, but I actually prefer the revolver to the automatic. Not sure why.

I also enjoy the pipe as the pistol stand. I'm a pipe smoker myself and it's something I've always got to hand. Sort of appropriate considering the era, no?
 
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Yeah, you can't go wrong with a good wheel-gun. I've heard this called one of the best revolvers made. The problem is I don't shoot it much since it's kind of a collectors item more than a shooter.

And yes, I figured the pipe was appropriate and it was handy!:D Way better tasting than cigs., that's for sure.
 
lister said:
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Yeah, you can't go wrong with a good wheel-gun. I've heard this called one of the best revolvers made. The problem is I don't shoot it much since it's kind of a collectors item more than a shooter.

And yes, I figured the pipe was appropriate and it was handy!:D Way better tasting than cigs., that's for sure.
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Once I learned how to smoke a pipe properly, I could never smoke another cigarette. There's no comparison. In fact, cigarettes smell awful to me now.
 
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