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guns3545 · 07-14-2014, 10:16 AM

Ron,

Good memory. Interesting footnote.

In June, 1908, Crozier authorized that two of the Powell devices be removed from the DWM Model 1902s and fitted to two Colt Model 1907 test pistols in stock. Thus two pistols SN 197 and 200 were retrofitted with the Powell devices.

There were considerables issues with the retrofit because of the 8 cartridge capacity of the Luger and 7 cartridge capacity of the Colt. But they finally got the celluloid and silver strip modified and fitted.

At Fort Riley, the test on SN 197 was not successful; lots of jamming. SN 200 was okay until the firing pin failed.

Doesn't appear that this modification order ever went anywhere. But this was not surprising as the Cavalry was fighting the use of any sort of automatic pistol and was lobbying really hard for a larger caliber double action revolver. The Board had all the problems it could handle just getting the Model 1911 approved in vanilla form and they were still tweaking the Model 1911 as it went into production in 1912 in an effort to get it right for all constituents.

Could not find any evidence of an order for a .45 ACP version of the Powell made from scratch and tested.

But enough, I do not want to highjack Eric's thread.

John

PS: A photograph of SN197 with the Powell device may be found in Meadows, page 77.

07-14-2014, 10:16 AM	#6
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Ron, Good memory. Interesting footnote. In June, 1908, Crozier authorized that two of the Powell devices be removed from the DWM Model 1902s and fitted to two Colt Model 1907 test pistols in stock. Thus two pistols SN 197 and 200 were retrofitted with the Powell devices. There were considerables issues with the retrofit because of the 8 cartridge capacity of the Luger and 7 cartridge capacity of the Colt. But they finally got the celluloid and silver strip modified and fitted. At Fort Riley, the test on SN 197 was not successful; lots of jamming. SN 200 was okay until the firing pin failed. Doesn't appear that this modification order ever went anywhere. But this was not surprising as the Cavalry was fighting the use of any sort of automatic pistol and was lobbying really hard for a larger caliber double action revolver. The Board had all the problems it could handle just getting the Model 1911 approved in vanilla form and they were still tweaking the Model 1911 as it went into production in 1912 in an effort to get it right for all constituents. Could not find any evidence of an order for a .45 ACP version of the Powell made from scratch and tested. But enough, I do not want to highjack Eric's thread. John PS: A photograph of SN197 with the Powell device may be found in Meadows, page 77.