![colt 1911 a1 war colt 1911 a1 war](https://lsbauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/Colt-Government-Commercial-Model-1911-Pre-War.jpg)
While production of the gun was slow at first, many Vickers machine guns reached the lines by late 1917.Īccording to The United States in the First World War: An Encyclopedia, the belt alone weighed over twenty-two pounds when carrying ammunition. Shown in the image to the left are intact, battle used ammunition fragments from the Colt-Vickers M1915 machine gun. Still, the Colt M1911 is often regarded as the most innovative, safe, and reliable pistols ever manufactured, and are still replicated for gun enthusiasts in the twenty-first century.Ĭolt-Vickers M1915 Machine Gun Ammunition and Belt Fragments World War I soldiers, like the one shown in this photograph, often complained during training that the sights were off, prompting Colt to make changes to the M1911 model prior to World War II. It did, however, garner a reputation for being somewhat inaccurate, claims which the Colt Company tested and refuted. Colt claimed that the pistol would average at least six-thousand shots fired without jamming. The Colt M1911 was well known for its power, reliability, and extremely infrequent reports of jamming. Since many soldiers trained with or owned a personal model of the Colt 1911, it was a reliable weapon, and Colt had the manufacturing capabilities to mass produce, it was a logical choice for the United States government to issue to it’s soldiers. In the book titled The Colt 1911 Pistol Leroy Thompson explains, "In the USA many men who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War used the Colt Government Model and felt comfortable with it" (Thompson). The Colt M1911 was the standard military issued handgun that was used for training, combat, and daily life in the trenches, and was widely preferred by United States soldiers. The trigger also shows signs of age and deterioration, with clear rusting along the grooves. Near the trigger there appears to be the number 13 roughly engraved, as if done by hand, though it's significance is unknown. showing discoloration/browning of the barrel, and numerous surface scratches throughout. By 1918, over 425,000 M1911 pistols had been produced and sold, both for government issued models and for the general public. The general idea was to replace revolvers with semi-automatic pistols that were capable of self loading. One can identify this gun as the original model due to the wider trigger, diamond design around the screws on the handle, and the angle at which the loading mechanism rests. While the Colt1911 is officially listed as beginning service in 1911, the model originated in the late 1890s prior to undergoing modifications. Patent dates are engraved on the left side of the barrel, ranging from 1897 to 1913. Hartford, CT, U.S.A" for "Colt's Patented Firearm Manufacturing Company." On the top right of the barrel reads "Colt's Pt.
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45 caliber pistol used in World War I Era before modifications were made in 1924 with the release of the Colt M1911A1 The fact that soldiers in World War I began to pose with their smaller, lighter handguns speaks to the power and reliability of the Colt M1911, and the trust soldiers placed in these pistols.
![colt 1911 a1 war colt 1911 a1 war](https://www.fullaventurashop.com/uploads/1911.jpg)
Historically, soldiers posing together for such an image would have included larger weapons such as a rifle, musket, or bayonette. Only one soldier (top row, second from the right) appears to be holding a pistol that is not a Colt M1911 but a smaller, and perhaps older, pistol. As the war progressed, some soldiers used the Colt 1895 during training, preferring to save the 1911 and it's unique anti-locking trigger for actual combat. Nearly every soldier depicted in photographs can be seen carrying their Colt 1911 in their holster. The handgun became the standard for soldiers of the United States army and navy, and was also adopted by the British navy and air force. Pictured here are just fourteen (one soldier is carrying a different model) of the over two-million Colt M1911 handguns produced by the Colt Manufacturing Company.