Attachment 111100
Printable View
Attachment 111276
Colt Combat Government
Picked up a new addition today
Attachment 111367
Fell in love with these more than thirty years ago and finally was in a position where they were available, in great condition, and finances were not an issue. These were made in 1967 and 1968 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the end of WW1. These two are the Battle of Belleau Wood (1968) and Battle of Chateau Thierry (1967) models. The other two commemorate the Battle of Meuse-Argonne and the Second Battle of the Marne and were both offered in 1969.
Not really clones of the WW1 pistols other than the lack of cuts around the trigger guard, thumb safety, and the smooth flat mainspring housing. The rest of the parts are regular pre-Series '70 Commercial Colt parts. The gold-filled engraving and high-polish finish also were nothing like the original 1911. As such, collectors never took to them, so prices are lower than regular pre-Series '70 examples demand. They are all steel and walnut with pretty decent fit and great finish.
Still looking for the other two in the set with the same serial number.
Hopefully some will find the precursor to the 1911 acceptable enough to grace the 1911 picture thread.
https://i.imgur.com/8M4S1ZYh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2eZK7jdh.jpg
So much about this design really speaks to me about the evolution that will end up occurring.
Those pictures of the Colt 1902 show how much progress JMB and Colt made in a decade. New caliber, shorten barrel length, modified action, add safeties, move cocking serrations, change grip shape, etc. Gives the sense of how products improve over time. The 1911 can be seen in the 1902, but the 1911 is a much improved design.
Changed to a new thumb safety and new Herrett’s stocks.
https://i.imgur.com/NtLllIQ.jpg
Attachment 111571
One of our guys at the shop just finished this one up yesterday... It was his project for the last few weeks when customer stuff was not waiting on the work bench. Might have to have him build me something after handling this one...
Ended up with a Tisas Duty .45 in a bunch of trade fodder.
Attachment 111587
It’s fine. I sort of get the hype, considering retail prices and the whole “forged steel” hullabaloo, but objectively, there’s room for improvement (soft safety detent, trigger fit and travel, mainspring housing blending, mechanical accuracy is only okay).
No plans for it yet. Might just shoot it for a bit, see how it handles some hotter pin loads.