The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols (For Collectors Only)

Description

The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols, 3rd Edition, totals 566 pages. It includes 84 tables detailing parts and markings and 678 photos and drawings. This book is part of North Cape Publications, Inc.® For Collectors Only® series of books on collector’s and antique firearms. Parts are described in chapters organized by subassembly receiver, slide and magazine. Serial numbers are listed in individual tables by military and the individual commercial models such as the ACE and Service ACE, National Match, .38 Super, Commander, Gold Cup, British, Argentine, Norwegian, and Canadian military models, etc. An appendix also contains a serial number listing organized by shipping date. Check to see when a pistol was manufactured, then to see when it was actually shipped. Parts are described in chapters organized by assembly receiver, slide and magazine. Each part of each assembly, i.e., trigger system, magazine release, sights, etc. are then described and photographed complete with markings and other identifying characteristics. Parts are differentiated by model and manufacturer, i.e. Colt, Springfield Armory, Remington Arms-UMC, Singer, Ithaca, Remington Rand and Union Switch & Signal. All Colt commercial model and variation parts are also described and compared to the military .45 ACP part. Serial number ranges are provided for every model and manufacturer of the Model 1911, Model 1911A1, and Series 70/80 in separate tables. Serial numbers for British military, Canadian, Argentine, Norwegian, and Russian military pistols are also given. Markings are often the key to authenticating the Model 1911/Model1911A1. All military and commercial markings are listed by date or serial number range of use in twenty-six individual tables both by military and the individual commercial models, and by other manufacturers. Individual chapters provide detailed examinations of markings on receivers, slides and barrels, including both military inspection and commercial markings, all correlated to serial number ranges. An appendix includes photographs of all slide markings. Finishes are discussed for both military and commercial pistols by serial number ranges. Accoutrements and accessories for the Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 are thoroughly explored. All belts, magazine pockets, and holsters are described and photographed. Complete listings of all U.S. military holster manufacturers--- U.S. military Model 1912, 1916, M3, M7, and M15 are included. U.S. military-issue ammunition in .45 ACP is described in detail including cartons and shipping containers. Complete listings and descriptions of all holster manufacturers are included. U.S. military-issue ammunition in .45 ACP is described in detail. The Argentine Ballester-Riguad and -Molina pistols, as well as Norwegian Models are discussed in detail and compared to the Model 1911A1. A photo-illustrated assembly/disassembly procedure shows the most efficient way to maintain the pistol. As always in the For Collectors Only® series any change or variation in a part is described by serial number range, making it possible to determine the authenticity of any Model 1911 or Model 1911A1 by year of manufacture. Review: Excellent Book for the M1911 Collector...4.5 Stars - Up until now, I only had 2 Joe Poyer books in my collection...I tended to pass them over, based on a preference for hardbound books. My impression was that other, more expensive hardbound books contained the same or better content. Well, I have to say that I was wrong. I recently purchased the 2nd Edition, Revised & Expanded of "The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols," by Joe Poyer, and I'm very glad that I did. This is an excellent book for the collector. The book is full of black and white photos showing very specific characteristics that collectors may use to determine the make and originality of what appears to be every 1911 part, and many accessories. The use of arrows to point to examples of exact physical characteristics is profuse. I was impressed with the coverage of holsters and web gear. The book seems to cover every mark that can possibly be found on an M1911/M1911A1, and later Colt versions. I was also interested to read more about the later production, General model 1911's that are covered in the book. The first edition had a blue cover, and the 2nd edition has a red cover. It just came out last month. I'm giving this book 4.5 stars, which rounds up to 5. The main reason I don't call out a full 5 stars for the book is probably getting to be a broken record for some who read my reviews, but my reason is that the book does not contain any listing of manuals. The book does an excellent job of documenting almost every collector accessory associated with M1911 pistols, but does not include a section on manuals, which are intriguing collector accessories for these pistols. There are many manuals that could have been included, as well as a couple of posters. If Mr. Poyer happens to read this, and would like to include a manual section in the next edition of this book, I am more than happy to contribute to that effort with my writing and/or manual examples. That would make the book much more complete, in my opinion. I can be contacted at dalbert at biggerhammer dot net. The only other callouts I will make are that there are more styles of military .45 ammunition boxes that could have been included, although a good job was done on ammunition coverage. Since the book also covers commercial M1911's, commercial ammunition could be an expansion opportunity, although the space required might be prohibitive. The book does pretty well without an index, although I always prefer to see one. So, great job on this book, and I know I will reference it frequently. It's a handy volume of 536 pages that I'm sure will remain in print, and continue to be updated for many years to come. David Albert Review: Better than you're buddy the "expert". Detailed and researched. Great photos. - Very detailed. Very thorough. If you're going to purchase or sell an older 1911 or 1911Aa please read this book. The world of military surplus is now, more than ever, fraught with peril. An unscrupulous dealer can quote artificial statistics to devalue what you're selling, or worse, buy fake tooling to fake stamps on an older gun. Poyer does a great job detailing the 1911s. I bought it specifically because I did have an original 1911 made in 1918 with the original "Army Black" finish. I had an interested buyer, but the buyer's buddy was an "expert" on old guns. Unfortunately for all of us, the buddy was wrong about some of the acceptance marks used. He was "positive" that my 1918 Colt should have had a specific stamp carrying the initials of a US inspector. Since my Colt didn't have them (none in 1918 did, the inspector in question didn't start his job till the 20's), my gun "must be fake". The buyer walked away and I bought Poyer to take with me on sales from then on. I was able to sell the gun later (for more, so I should be happy). No one can know everything about these wonderful old pistols. And there are exceptions to most rules, as occurs during war time. Have a reference before you buy or sell. You'll make or save more than the price of the book.