I happened to be at my local firearm purveyor yesterday looking at a Dan Wesson Valor in Black Duty-Coat finish. After which, I asked to look at a Springfield Armory M1911. The owner said ..."if you want a "real" M1911, I just got two in from Colt. I ordered one in "Army Black" with display case for a customer in August, 2011, and it came in three days ago. The customer backed out of the order, so, it's available"...
I could not believe my ears and eyes. He opened the cardboard box, slid out the blue Colt box, opened it, and out fell the period correct, early twentieth century, military M1911 manual. Beside it, still wrapped in the brown crispy vapor paper, was the pistol. Correction, "The Pistol", one of four thousand. A factory polished, deep black, exact replica of the pistol test fired in March 1911 for the army by John Browning. And later, taken into the Great War by America's Dough-boys. The original M1911, with all it's simple elegance, and it's shortcomings too. The tiny sights and dainty thumb safety being the most obvious.
I might not get another chance like this, I think it was fate, or some other such romantic rationalization...it's pricey...but not crazy...screw it...I'll take it (tomorrow). I have been threatening myself to get a "real" M1911 for my collection for sometime now. This pistol would mark the beginning of the over 100 year old design, the bookend next to Genesis, so to speak. Well, this would be one fine way to accomplish that. It looks exactly like a new M1911 purchased in, say, 1913. This is before they, Colt Firearms, needed to pump them out for the war effort in 1916. Around that time, Colt needed to boost production and started to back off on the fine finishing and polishing they had been doing to each pistol. The pistols that went to war, for the most part, functioned perfectly, they just lacked the finer finish and polishing that was given to Colt pistols up to that time.
The Browning/Colt pistol in this box/display case is really quite special to me. I will field strip the new pistol, lightly coat it with Mil-i-tec oil, grease the rails, reassemble, and then remove the factory checkered walnut stocks. In their place, I will install a set of pre-ban ivory stocks that I have saved for just such a special piece. It will look thrilling. White grips on the black frame, understated yet elegant. After applying Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax to the ivory grips, I will repackage it, and place it gently on the top shelf of the gun safe. I have decided not to shoot this pistol. For the time being that is.
I think my grandson might be really excited to fire the first magazine out of it in about fifteen years or so. His father and I will teach him the correct way to behave around firearms, and the great respect needed for their power and lethality. He will also feel the deep satisfaction of placing controlled fire onto a target with accuracy and poise. I hope to be at his side that day when the M1911 roars to life. Seven hits in the ten ring...that'll be something, especially with those tiny sights. Ah...to have young eyes...
Thanks to Mr. Browning, and Saint Patrick. You guys really made my day.
Gaff
