Thank you, Dad!! I'll treasure it always!

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Walkin' Jack
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Thank you, Dad!! I'll treasure it always!

Post by Walkin' Jack »

On a recent visit to seem my 88 year old dad he called me in to his den and said he had something he wanted to give me. He sat down at his desk and pulled out the deep drawer on the bottom right. He put his hand in and came out with a cigar box. I had know idea what it might contain and when I found out I was very pleasantly surprised.

Back during WWII Dad was a major in the old Army Air Corps and a B-29 pilot. He carried a 1903 Colt .32 Auto in a leather holster across his chest. This is what was in the cigar box. I knew I'd inherrit it some day but he told me he wanted me to have it while he was still on the green side of the grass (his words). He knew I was a gunaholic and he knew what I wanted to do with this pistol. I'd said that I wanted to shadow box it and his pilots wings with an American flag in the back ground. He said he wanted to see it before he passed.

I may take it to the range and run a few magazines through it first. I haven't decided on that just yet.

It is the Colt 1903 .32 Auto, w/2-singlestack 7 rnd magazines. The patent dates stamped on the slide are April 20th, 1897 and December 22nd, 1903. It was made in Hartford Connecticut probably around 1943 or 44. He got it in early '44 I think. It has had a total of 4 rounds fired through it.

I asked him how he managed to keep it when he resigned his commision and was surprised at his answer. I just figured he'd bought it. But he actually LEASED...for 99 years. So, sometime around 2044 I suppose I'll have to give it back or maybe I can just renew the lease? :>)

All the stuff in the pics is 61 to 63 years old and the box is the origingal box it came in and has the serial number written on it.

Went to the range today with this little sweetie and ran 30 rounds through it. It's a shooter!!! I fired 15 rounds from 7 yards and 15rounds from 15 yards. Had a two inch hole center-mass in a full size sillhouette target. It shoots so fine I hate to put it up but I'm committed to the plan stated above. It has 2 mags and one of them has been loaded for all these years. It fed perfectly. The gun cycled perfectly and other than me not being used to that trigger it was perfection all the way.

I let my friend who works there and is a gunsmith look it over and the news is good. He looked it up in his "blue book" and found that it ranges in value from 600 bux to 1400 bux (or more depending on the buyer and how badly he wants it) Some of the factors which determine the value are: condition, appearance, finish, and what all you have with it.

Fortunately it is in excellent condition and there isn't a mark on it. Maybe just a small amount of holster rash which he told me would not effect it's value. Also the roll mark "US PROPERTY" is on the right side of the frame. I tried to get it to show up in a pic but had no luck. I also have the original box it came in and both original magazines. According to the book having that box makes a difference of about 200 bux.

What I have on the negative side is that I don't have the original owners manuel and mine has the wrong finish. Mine is Parkerized whereas it would have more value if it had been blued. Still I"m lookin' at 1200 bux and maybe more. Not that I'd sell it for any amount but it's good to know what I have. Now I just need to tighten up on my finances just a tad and then make a trip to Seguine Texas where the guy lives that makes the shadow boxes. I have several others for him too and I'm going to take them all at one time and "supervise" the arrangements of the items in each box. If I can't get it done sooner I'm hopin' that Santa Clause will pull my slack and I can get it done after the holidays. It will be some $$$$ but well worth it in my view.

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"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result." Winston Chruchill
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seamusTX
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Post by seamusTX »

Verrrrry nice.

I doubt the Army will come looking for it in 2044.

- Jim
135boomer
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Post by 135boomer »

Wow! That is nice!
The Marshal
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Post by The Marshal »

Wow.
I would have loved to have my Father have passed on anything he had from his time in the service! He was at Okinawa, and worked on -29s and -24s.

To some that would be an old gun, others a historical piece with a good value.
To me, that gun would be *priceless*.

Awesome.

~Bill
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carlson1
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Post by carlson1 »

The Marshal wrote:Wow.
To me, that gun would be *priceless*.
Awesome.
~Bill
It would be priceless to me :grin:
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MoJo
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Post by MoJo »

WJ you just keep coming up with 'em don't ya? That is a great keepsake there.
"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
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Lucky45
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Post by Lucky45 »

Hey Walkin' jack,

From what I've gather from some antique shows, you should not mess with the finish on that gun if you want to keep the value high. NO PROFESSIONAL CLEANING!!! Having the original equipment and box adds alot to the value, but I would just use cloth and gun oil to clean the pistol. Even that Hoppe's bottle might have some value if it is dated back then and have some original oil with the "original secret formula." LOL!!! Good catch.
If you don't stand for something, then you will fall for anything.

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Walkin' Jack
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Post by Walkin' Jack »

Yep!! I caved in and fired 30 rounds through it. But it will not be fired again in my lifetime. It will be shadow boxes as described above. I have cleaned it now and put it away. It will not be altered or even touched in any way and it is NOT for sale for ANY price. I only tried to nail down it's value to have some idea of what I had value wise. I own a lot of guns and several of them have sentimental/personal value to me regardless of their monitary value.

By this point in my life I have many heirlooms and items of personal value to me. But I have nothing that means as much to me as this pistol. What ever is in second place isn't even close. It's historical signigigance asside, It was carried by my dad in service of this great country. It represents a part of the life of the best man I ever met at a time of great importance to us all.

My own son was inelligeble for military service due to his poor eyesight. He doesn't know one end of a gun from the other. His lack of knowledge of guns is exceeded only by his lack of interest. I may leave it to my grandson or just have it burried with me. Have to wait and see how he turns out.

In any case I just wanted to assure every one that This fine gun is going to stay how and where it belongs. I appreciate all your kind remarks and observations.
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result." Winston Chruchill
JasonH
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Post by JasonH »

Hey, you the same Walking Jack from 2cool?

If so, hey! Haven't seen you since the last 2cool meet down on the beach earlier this year.

I'm sidecutter's (James) buddy. We've met several times. I noticed you put fishing among your interests so I'm assuming it's you.

Cool gun.
Walkin' Jack
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Post by Walkin' Jack »

Ya got me! Good to see ya in here Jason.
JasonH wrote:Hey, you the same Walking Jack from 2cool?

If so, hey! Haven't seen you since the last 2cool meet down on the beach earlier this year.

I'm sidecutter's (James) buddy. We've met several times. I noticed you put fishing among your interests so I'm assuming it's you.

Cool gun.
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result." Winston Chruchill
mr surveyor
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Post by mr surveyor »

that would be an excellent candidate for the annual Memorial Day, or Veteran's Day, trip to the range for a nice reverent 21 round salute. Then clean, re-lube, and replace it to it's place of honor. It deserves to be excercised and shown to others for a better understandinig of the history of 65 years ago.

just my personal opinion :cool:
It's not gun control that we need, it's soul control!
kwf2006
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Only one piece of advice.

Post by kwf2006 »

Never,ever, EVER let it leave your sight.
This includes signifigant others, and $$$'s.
"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either." -look it up.
Moonpie
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Post by Moonpie »

Jack,

Actually the finish on your fathers weapon IS correct. DO NOT alter it.
That is a late 4th model USGI issue M1903 and is very valuble.
The civilian version is blued. The civilian versions are quite common.
Right now the market for WW2 unfooled with USGI guns has gone bonkers. Any "correct" gun is worth a hefty amount.

Its also a wonderful piece of family history. I would very much like to see the shadow box when complete. See if you can locate his service ribbons and include them in the box.

Give your father a big Thank You from me for his service. Millions of guys just like him saved the world for us.
elwood blooz
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Post by elwood blooz »

carlson1 wrote:
The Marshal wrote:Wow.
To me, that gun would be *priceless*.
Awesome.
~Bill
It would be priceless to me :grin:
Many thanks to your Dad for being there for us. :patriot:
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