Question about WWII 1911

bkelm18 · 11-10-2005, 07:01 AM

Hello, I recently inherited my Great-Grandfather's 1911 that he used in WWII. Since it is gov't issued, is it legal to own it and take it to the firing range? I'm just not sure if it being a gov't issued weapon places any restrictions on that. Thanks.

TommyGunn · 11-10-2005, 07:19 AM

I think there are a LOT of people who have a parent's or grandparent's 1911 and use them regularly with no problems. Soldiers brought back hundreds of guns in both world wars and probably Korea & Vietnam, too.
My father brought back an M-1 Carbine from Korea, which I inherited. There are no "restrictions" on that gun. Why would there be any on a 1911? Who in the govt. or military would even know you have it? How would they know? How would they know it's military and not some commercially made gun?
Use it and enjoy it!

csmkersh · 11-10-2005, 07:28 AM

DoD sold Carbines, Garands and 1911s through the NRA back in the 1950s. The 1911s still were marked "US Property." If your pistol is in fairly clean shape, it may be worth more as a collector than a shooter. Very clean ones will bring prices as good as a new custom gun. Either way, enjoy the pistol.

Al Thompson · 11-10-2005, 03:18 PM

Tommy, if it has "U.S. Property" stamped on it, it's pretty good odds that it was just that at some point in time.

As the CSM pointed out, tons of guns were sold as surplus after WWII.

Around here, those 1911A1s and 1911s have reached very high prices.

TommyGunn · 11-10-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Thompson

Tommy, if it has "U.S. Property" stamped on it, it's pretty good odds that it was just that at some point in time.

As the CSM pointed out, tons of guns were sold as surplus after WWII.

Around here, those 1911A1s and 1911s have reached very high prices.

Yes, I know it might say "U.S. Property" on it. My point was how would someone at a range necessarily know this? I don't know what is inscribed on the guns of other shooters and I can't say I've ever even looked. And I know 1911's are getting pricey -- I've seen some at gun shows! Wish I had the $$ for a good one!

Yes, many guns were sold.
As I said, my father brought back a carbine from Korea....if someone saw me shooting it at a range, how would he know how I obtained it without asking. I could just as easily tell him I bought it at a pawn shop as tell him my father brought it home!

guntotin_fool · 11-15-2005, 01:15 AM

I just saw a ww2 gi colt 1911a1 in good but not pristine condition, listed for $2400, and a singer for a lot more than that. That price may be a bit high, but it gives you some idea that people may infact think that it may havethat kind of value.

MikeO · 11-20-2005, 11:55 AM

A friend of my sister called me to look at some guns she found in her mother's house after her mother passed away. They were her father's, who passed away years ago.

Two were GI 1911s. One was excellent, the other had been rode hard and put away wet. It had a mag full of steel cased GI ball, a round in the chamber, hammer cocked, off safe. She had thrown it in a little wicker basket w the other handguns to bring it to my house.

The bbl was dark and pitted, but Ok otherwise and worked fine at 7 and 15 yds.

There was also a little J frame S&W .38 w some corroded ammo stuck in the cylinder.

She is keeping all of them, and learning to shoot and care for them a little better.

11-10-2005, 07:01 AM	#1
bkelm18 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 362	Question about WWII 1911 Hello, I recently inherited my Great-Grandfather's 1911 that he used in WWII. Since it is gov't issued, is it legal to own it and take it to the firing range? I'm just not sure if it being a gov't issued weapon places any restrictions on that. Thanks.

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11-10-2005, 07:19 AM	#2
TommyGunn Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Morgan County, Alabama "In Dixie Land I'll take my stand." Posts: 8,490	I think there are a LOT of people who have a parent's or grandparent's 1911 and use them regularly with no problems. Soldiers brought back hundreds of guns in both world wars and probably Korea & Vietnam, too. My father brought back an M-1 Carbine from Korea, which I inherited. There are no "restrictions" on that gun. Why would there be any on a 1911? Who in the govt. or military would even know you have it? How would they know? How would they know it's military and not some commercially made gun? Use it and enjoy it!

11-10-2005, 07:28 AM	#3
csmkersh Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,793	DoD sold Carbines, Garands and 1911s through the NRA back in the 1950s. The 1911s still were marked "US Property." If your pistol is in fairly clean shape, it may be worth more as a collector than a shooter. Very clean ones will bring prices as good as a new custom gun. Either way, enjoy the pistol.

11-10-2005, 03:18 PM	#4
Al Thompson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,118	Tommy, if it has "U.S. Property" stamped on it, it's pretty good odds that it was just that at some point in time. As the CSM pointed out, tons of guns were sold as surplus after WWII. Around here, those 1911A1s and 1911s have reached very high prices.

11-15-2005, 01:15 AM	#6
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,804	I just saw a ww2 gi colt 1911a1 in good but not pristine condition, listed for $2400, and a singer for a lot more than that. That price may be a bit high, but it gives you some idea that people may infact think that it may havethat kind of value.

11-20-2005, 11:55 AM	#7
MikeO Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 723	A friend of my sister called me to look at some guns she found in her mother's house after her mother passed away. They were her father's, who passed away years ago. Two were GI 1911s. One was excellent, the other had been rode hard and put away wet. It had a mag full of steel cased GI ball, a round in the chamber, hammer cocked, off safe. She had thrown it in a little wicker basket w the other handguns to bring it to my house. The bbl was dark and pitted, but Ok otherwise and worked fine at 7 and 15 yds. There was also a little J frame S&W .38 w some corroded ammo stuck in the cylinder. She is keeping all of them, and learning to shoot and care for them a little better.