Colt Government Model WWI British purchase

varifleman · 10-31-2012, 09:10 AM

I'm posting for your viewing pleasure photos of my British-proofed Colt 1911 Government Model C-13731 made in 1914 and shipped to Colt's London Amoury Agency in late 1914 or 1915. This Colt was property of 1st Lt. G.C. Wilkins as written on the US Model 1912 Cavalry holster which accompanied the pistol. Wilkins was a Harvard grad who was apparently commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1918. Wilkins apparently purchased the pistol sometime after it was shipped to England. I'm currently waiting for more information from the Harvard Crimson about 1st. Lt. Wilkins and the Colt Archive letter for shipment details.

John Sabato · 10-31-2012, 09:59 AM

N i c e !

Frank · 10-31-2012, 11:39 AM

VA Guy, What a treasure. Congrats!!!!

padredan · 10-31-2012, 02:19 PM

outstanding comercial model, it has aged well.

mcg · 10-31-2012, 03:18 PM

George,
Beautiful Government model and with a history, even better. I see the picture of the chamber area. I understand the Government were polished rather than blued,but I'm not familiar with the markings on the chamber, is that a inspection stamp or just something picked up in the last almost 100 yrs?
Mark

pitsword · 10-31-2012, 03:50 PM

Very nice, a treasure with that provenance.

Douglas Jr. · 10-31-2012, 05:54 PM

Man, this is sweetie!
I'm green of envy!!!!
Douglas.

padredan · 10-31-2012, 05:55 PM

the gun being shown is a comercial model , which was not an issued military pistol. Not a clue how a comercial model would end up being carried by a military officer when he would be issued one, i will include a few pictures of my 1917 1911 so you maybe able to compare between a comericial and military issue model.

SteveM · 10-31-2012, 06:34 PM

Nice early commercial, those are my favorite 1911's.

varifleman · 11-01-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcg

George,
Beautiful Government model and with a history, even better. I see the picture of the chamber area. I understand the Government were polished rather than blued,but I'm not familiar with the markings on the chamber, is that a inspection stamp or just something picked up in the last almost 100 yrs?
Mark

Hi mcg; the markings are London commercial proofs which were required on all pistols imported into the UK. These markings are per the Proof Rules of 1904 and were used from 1904-1925.

varifleman · 11-01-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padredan

the gun being shown is a comercial model , which was not an issued military pistol. Not a clue how a comercial model would end up being carried by a military officer when he would be issued one, i will include a few pictures of my 1917 1911 so you maybe able to compare between a comericial and military issue model.

Hello paderan; Most of the 4000-plus Colt Government Model pistols in .45 ACP shipped to Colt's London Armoury Agency during WWI were privately purchased by British and other officers. Winston Churchill owned Colt Government Model C15566 and carried it during his service in France when he commanded the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1916. I have a 1921 Government Model purchased by Lt/Maj H Michaels (as indicated on the 1944 Boyt holster which accompanied the pistol); as soon as I find the photos I'll post them. So apparently many Colt Government Models were purchased by British and U.S. officers and saw service in both World Wars. If anyone has a .455 Webley/Eley barrel I'm looking for one to restore my 1918 British contract RAF Government Model to original specs. P.S. Nice 1917 USGI 1911; any history on it? Thanks for the photos.

padredan · 11-01-2012, 02:11 PM

Like i said not a clue about most of the early model colts, just that you have an outstanding comercial one. Allso the 1917 GI i have , not a clue on it. bought it a few years back and the owner knew nothing about it either,that happens alot. You havea really nice pistol, hope you find out more about it, thanks for posting.

varifleman · 01-26-2013, 10:46 AM

According to the Colt Archive letter received after 4 month wait this pistol was one of 300 shipped to the London Armoury Company on November 18, 1914.

kzullick · 01-26-2013, 12:03 PM

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

varifleman · 03-14-2013, 09:58 AM

The original owner of this pistol was 1st Lt George Carl Wilkins. He entered Officers' Training Camp at Plattsburg NY in May 1917; commissioned 1st Lt Infantry August 15; assigned to 301st Machine Gun Battalion, 76th Division and sailed for France July 8, 1918. He was transferred to the 146th Machine Gun Battalion, 41st Division on November 9 1918 and returned to the U.S. on February 25, 1919. He transferred to the 153rd Depot Brigade, Camp Dix on 27 February and was discharged on 25 May 1919.

alanint · 03-14-2013, 10:51 AM

Interesting that these guns were so unknown at the time that it sat on a London retailer's shelf for four years prior to Lt. Wilkins purchasing it, assuming he purchased it new.

10-31-2012, 09:10 AM	#1
varifleman User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 70 Thanks: 9 Thanked 57 Times in 14 Posts	Colt Government Model WWI British purchase I'm posting for your viewing pleasure photos of my British-proofed Colt 1911 Government Model C-13731 made in 1914 and shipped to Colt's London Amoury Agency in late 1914 or 1915. This Colt was property of 1st Lt. G.C. Wilkins as written on the US Model 1912 Cavalry holster which accompanied the pistol. Wilkins was a Harvard grad who was apparently commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1918. Wilkins apparently purchased the pistol sometime after it was shipped to England. I'm currently waiting for more information from the Harvard Crimson about 1st. Lt. Wilkins and the Colt Archive letter for shipment details. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by varifleman; 10-31-2012 at 01:13 PM. Reason: add info

10-31-2012, 09:59 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	N i c e ! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

10-31-2012, 02:19 PM	#4
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	outstanding comercial model, it has aged well. __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

10-31-2012, 05:55 PM	#8
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	the gun being shown is a comercial model , which was not an issued military pistol. Not a clue how a comercial model would end up being carried by a military officer when he would be issued one, i will include a few pictures of my 1917 1911 so you maybe able to compare between a comericial and military issue model. Attached Thumbnails __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

11-01-2012, 02:11 PM	#12
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	Like i said not a clue about most of the early model colts, just that you have an outstanding comercial one. Allso the 1917 GI i have , not a clue on it. bought it a few years back and the owner knew nothing about it either,that happens alot. You havea really nice pistol, hope you find out more about it, thanks for posting. __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

10-31-2012, 11:39 AM	#3
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	VA Guy, What a treasure. Congrats!!!!

10-31-2012, 03:18 PM	#5
mcg Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 89 Thanks: 252 Thanked 28 Times in 20 Posts	George, Beautiful Government model and with a history, even better. I see the picture of the chamber area. I understand the Government were polished rather than blued,but I'm not familiar with the markings on the chamber, is that a inspection stamp or just something picked up in the last almost 100 yrs? Mark

10-31-2012, 03:50 PM	#6
pitsword User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 455 Thanks: 3,898 Thanked 101 Times in 81 Posts	Very nice, a treasure with that provenance.

10-31-2012, 05:54 PM	#7
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Man, this is sweetie! I'm green of envy!!!! Douglas.

10-31-2012, 06:34 PM	#9
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Nice early commercial, those are my favorite 1911's.

01-26-2013, 10:46 AM	#13
varifleman User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 70 Thanks: 9 Thanked 57 Times in 14 Posts	According to the Colt Archive letter received after 4 month wait this pistol was one of 300 shipped to the London Armoury Company on November 18, 1914.

01-26-2013, 12:03 PM	#14
kzullick Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: East Berwick, Pennsylvania Posts: 227 Thanks: 609 Thanked 100 Times in 81 Posts	Nice! Thanks for sharing!

03-14-2013, 09:58 AM	#15
varifleman User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 70 Thanks: 9 Thanked 57 Times in 14 Posts	The original owner of this pistol was 1st Lt George Carl Wilkins. He entered Officers' Training Camp at Plattsburg NY in May 1917; commissioned 1st Lt Infantry August 15; assigned to 301st Machine Gun Battalion, 76th Division and sailed for France July 8, 1918. He was transferred to the 146th Machine Gun Battalion, 41st Division on November 9 1918 and returned to the U.S. on February 25, 1919. He transferred to the 153rd Depot Brigade, Camp Dix on 27 February and was discharged on 25 May 1919.

03-14-2013, 10:51 AM	#16
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Interesting that these guns were so unknown at the time that it sat on a London retailer's shelf for four years prior to Lt. Wilkins purchasing it, assuming he purchased it new.