Sometimes it pays be be known as gun nut.

Not exactly a footlocker find but close. What appears to be an unfired WWI era M1911 got tossed my way. The story is that it belonged to the father (or some other relative, its been a long time and its was glossed over) of my uncles wife. Them being super liberal and thinking guns were icky were none too enthused to find a gun laying around. Luckily they at least knew my Dad was a big gun guy and figured he might be interested in this mystery gun they either found or had stored.

Much to his (and even more mine) excitement it turned out to be an original M1911 in its original holster. Apparently it was still packed with cosmoline and after cleaning it off even appears to be unfired. There is a little wear on the front strap and under the magazine well but the rest is spotless. My theory is that he was probably an administrative type who really didn’t have use for a sidearm but was required to have one. So most likely stuffed it into the holster and then presented it at a few inspections and that was it.

The serial number puts it into 1917 production year and has all the early features. Ill try to get a colt letter for it soon and when I do I’ll add it. It feels weird to see such a shiny bluing and rich wood stocks/grips on a military weapon. One thing I will say is the trigger pull isn’t great. The M1911A1 I have had a much smoother one but it is also a lot more worn, so could just be due to this one being so fresh. I only point that out as a lot of people seem to ascribe mystical qualities to old guns from past eras. Its not the worst but it’s no Gold Cup.

Almost as cool as the pistol was the holster that it came in. Its a 1916 dated Rock Island Arsenal M1916 holster. So from the first year of production, which just tickles my collector itch so much. The poor thing was so dried out it was powdery. So I gave it a good scrub with some saddle soap and then gave it about three heavy coats of oil. So that should help preserve it for another 100+ years hopefully.