OLD COLT: WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR OLD COLT GUNS.
This Colt 1911 was shipped November 4th, 1916 to the Commanding Officer at Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill. It was part of a 1,000 gun shipment. During the M1911 production, the year 1916 had the least amount of pistols produced.
This Colt was inspector by Major Gilbert H. Stewart (GHS). Major Steward was the Inspector of Ordnance from September 30th 1914 - January 12th, 1918.
The slide on this pistol is marked with an "S" for W.E. Strong above the rear firing pin stop plate. He was a temporary Civilian Ordnance Inspector at Colt from August 14th - October 13th 1916.
The gun is complete as issued in 1916. It is accompanied by a notarized statement from a family member. The statement indicates that it was issued to the signor's Great Uncle, Lt. William N. Perrin during World War I. The lieutenant served in the medical corps in France as a part of the All America Division. He returned home from service with this gun which has been retained in his family lineage ever since. The signers father also used the gun during World War II. His father was a yeoman 1st class in the Navy and was a driver for an Admiral in Charleston, SC. Shown is an original photograph of Lt. Perrin posed with the family milk cow, in uniform as he left for basic training.
