This fine weapon still soldiers on today with many specialized military units and law-enforcement agencies, and in the holsters of countless civilians who are serious about their self-defense or sport-shooting.
Here's my veteran, produced in mid-1918 for "The War to End All Wars" and bearing the "United States Property" stamp.
And here's it's great grandson, which I bought new in 1987 and still carry today:
The components are 100% interchangeable between the two, a testament to the original design.
Hat tip to Bob.
Thanks for the link. If that is a 1991A1 in the bottom picture, I had an identical pistol for a while back in the 90's, but sold it.
ReplyDeleteAny time, Bob. Always happy to send folks to your excellent site.
ReplyDeleteAnd the lower pistol is a Springfield Armory. It was none other than gun writer Patrick Sweeney who sold me on it back when he was a gunsmith at a local shop and I was a newly-minted twenty-one year old with three hundred bucks in my pocket and a desire for my first .45
I've got a pair. The first is a Springfield Armory that's been converted to a "wad gun" for Bullseye. It has a hand-fitted Kart barrel and other parts including a red dot and, pushing 200 gr LSWCs with 3.8 gr of Clays and WLPs, it'll hold a 1.5" group at 50 yards. (I'm good for only an 8" group, and that's on a *good* day.)
ReplyDeleteThe second is my ball gun, a custom job with Essex upper and lower, Kart barrel again. It was reportedly made in the 60s by an Air Force gunsmith but, over the years, it's had a "laying on of the hands" by lots of 'smiths. It shoots nothing but military ball, none of that wimpy stuff like its younger brother.
But they're good brothers and each has a lot to teach me. Someday I'll figure out how to "focus on the front sight, complete the sight picture and then move the trigger straight back without messing it up." Someday...
The genius, some say the crowning achievement, of John Moses Browning.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures warmed my heart
ReplyDeleteNice specimens!
ReplyDeleteQuality. Now there's a fading ideal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that it's still out there.
Beautiful! :-)
ReplyDelete