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Ok,

It's been about 10 yrs since my grandfather passed away but before he did he gave his guns to my dad. He knew my dad would take care of them. He had two in particular that I had my eye on. One is a S&W .357 (not sure of the model) that he used when he was on the Austin PD in the 40's and 50's. He also had a 1911 government model which he used during his military carrer from mid 50's until early 70's.

I finally wore my dad down enough that he passed the 1911 down to me. I was thrilled, but this is where my problem starts.

I want a 1911 to carry but not sure if this is the right one. It is definately worn but still in good shape. When I did some searches on the serial number it turns out the gun was made around 1916 or so. That makes this gun around 91 yrs old!! I definately want to keep the outside looking the same maybe clean it up a little but I want to make sure all the important parts inside work.

I am torn between putting it away or getting it into working condition and honoring him by carrying it. What would yall do?





click on the pics they should get bigger

Thanks,
RR

I would get it in tip top shape, and take it to the range every year on Memorial Day, fire 21 rounds, clean it, and eventually pass it down to MY grandson.

There's a lot of carry guns out there to be had. Just consider a few of the various possibilities of damage or loss of a concealed carry gun.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Clean it oil it and put it away it has served it time on Duty.

Go get a new or newer gun to wear.

Oh, wow. That's a 1911, all right - not the "updated" 1911A1 that we're more familiar with.

More specifically, I think it's a "Commercial" model - note the C before the serial number. (I'm basing this off the assumption it's a Colt, not a sub-contractor's production)

I think it has been reworked at some point - note the odd sights and the arched mainspring housing.

Without more detailed pictures (and a couple hours perusing the Blue Book and other resources), I can't give you any idea what it's worth monetarily. But I don't think there's any chance of it ever being sold, given its place in your family's history, so that's sort of a moot point.

I can tell you that it's priceless, and I wouldn't make a habit of carrying it. Monetary value aside, I call it priceless because it's a piece of not only this country's history, but a very personal piece of your family's history. I might, -might- carry it once or twice, were it mine, just to give the old warhorse some time back in the saddle, in honor as it were.

Were that my gun, and my only gun, I'd carry it with pride and honor. But I'd look for a good Springfield, Kimber, or Colt for a daily carry as soon as I could, simply for the sentimental history of that old 1911.

As far as refinishing goes, I wouldn't. "Period-incorrect" arched mainspring housing, odd sights and all - I'd leave it "as-is" as much as possible. Look it over (or have it looked over) and replace/fix any truly broken parts (but I doubt you'll find anything broken), and replace the springs. Frankly, except for the probability of worn springs, I'd be surprised if it's not fully functional right now. It probably won't be as accurate as modern (read: "new") .45s, but I bet it'll match them in function tests across the board.

All of the above are excellent. Especially going to the range w/ it on Memorial Day.
I would not carry it. If you ever had to fire it in Personal Defense you can know it will be taken away from you for at least a short time & go to an evidence room & probably stay ther until you are "No Billed." There it may or may not be taken care of.

longtooth wrote:All of the above are excellent. Especially going to the range w/ it on Memorial Day.
I would not carry it. If you ever had to fire it in Personal Defense you can know it will be taken away from you for at least a short time & go to an evidence room & probably stay ther until you are "No Billed." There it may or may not be taken care of.

Big time!

I also agree with all of the above. I do like the idea of shooting it on Memorial day. Excellent idea.

One other factor to consider is the event that someone were able to take itaway from you, it would be lost forever.

Clean it, buildor buy a show case for it and bring it out on Memorial day. Pass it down to your kids and stress tradition.

Twenty-one on memorial day! That is class.

Guys,

Thanks for your comments. I think I am going to put it away for safe keeping and bring it out on special occasions.

Thane, it is a Colt and seems to work fine. I am sure my grandfather had work done to it because he was on the pistol team in the military. The gun also has another barrel and slide that he had with it. The slide has a smaller front sight. Also the trigger only pulls about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. I remember seeing display cases full of medals he won with the gun, so it may out shoot some of the new guns!

My wife is not going to like my decision, because now I have to buy one.

I'll try to take some better pics.

Thanks,

RR

mr surveyor wrote: take it to the range every year on Memorial Day, fire 21 rounds, clean it, and eventually pass it down to MY grandson.

+1

echo that

Good choice. besides you can always carry your 229, right?

That's one of those pistols that you just enjoy taking out of the safe to look at once in awhile. I like the memorial day idea!

KRM45 wrote:

mr surveyor wrote: take it to the range every year on Memorial Day, fire 21 rounds, clean it, and eventually pass it down to MY grandson.

+1

+2

RoundRock_Gun_Fan wrote:
My wife is not going to like my decision, because now I have to buy one.

Another vote for "All Of The Above", especially the Memorial Day shoot.

I think you have a perfectly legitimate reason for a new purchase, but then again, don't we all? (I'm gettin' that familiar itch myself:twisted:). When you come up with a way to make the wife like your decision to by a new gun, please let me know how you did it. All new handguns spend their first few days at my house in the Firearm Protection Program, in a pathetic and futile attempt to avoid the inevitable "Is that a new gun"?