I hit the Mother Load this weekend!

[Luis22]

Amazing...great patina all of them!!

[Gary Cain]

Yes, I got some biographical details of the gentleman. He was on occupation duty (unit unknown but I think Constabulary) in Wurzburg from 1948 to 1950 and brought back some German militaria and he collected US military handguns, "one of each kind" as his daughter said. Clearly he had an affinity for the 1911!

Fortunately the family knew they were worth something.

Good stuff, Gary - thanks for sharing with us.

BTW: Did you get any background on the estate and/or history of the guns? Was the deceased a collector, military veteran, etc.?

Also, I'm happy to hear that these historic firearms now reside in NV; the SF Bay area (and CA in general) is not a very gun-friendly venue; I'm actually a bit surprised the family had not taken these down to the local P.D. to abandon them for "safe disposal". Anyway, we know these items are in good hands now.

[Johnny Peppers]

You might find the correct sight for the top half of the Colt Service Model Ace. At one time there were back half of the slides from pistols that had been de-milled by torch cutting, but the sights were still good. Some were blue but most were Parko-Lubrite like your slide.

[Ronnie Fry]

Gary, that is most certainly a fine grouping. I especially like the USS. It looks to be in primo shape!!
Good going Sir !!

r

[Gary Cain]

Hi Johnny,

I just happened to have one of those in my spare parts box allready!

You might find the correct sight for the top half of the Colt Service Model Ace. At one time there were back half of the slides from pistols that had been de-milled by torch cutting, but the sights were still good. Some were blue but most were Parko-Lubrite like your slide.

[Johnny Peppers]

Gary,

Can't tell for sure from the angle of the photograph, but looks like the Ithaca may have the Colt's grips and vice versa.

[rajko84]

great find

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Wow....an instant ww2 .45 collection there...what a score! oh, its 'lode' not 'load'

[Matt Weber]

WOW!! Gary you hit the mother load all right!!! Love the US&S, Love the Ithica, Love the Remington, love the Colt........ok, I love them all!

Congrats!
Matt

[james m]

Gary:
As I'm sure you and everyone else knows, turing up a great find like this today is a very rare occurrance. Congradulations and I'm sure you'll get years of enjoyment out of it.
BTW: I think Johnny is right about the grips.
Jim

[Brad Posey]

oh my ....... I love the M1911's .....oh my .......

[ALJEFF]

Damm Did you ever hit the mother load!!!! Great find

[GUNHEEP]

Nice score...what did they set you back?
The switch & signal looks to be in real good shape

Andy

[Death-Ace]

That 1914 M1911 has me mesmerized....lol. Great finds!
Lev

[Johnny Peppers]

Gary,

The rampant colt on the 1911 slide was moved to between the patent dates and Colt logo in the April/May 1918 time period. Up until that time the rampant colt was behind the slide serrations.

This is a mid 1917 Colt 1911.