OT - "Titanic" movie question re: M1911 Pistol
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OT - "Titanic" movie question re: M1911 Pistol
For some random reason, I was recalling how Billy Zane's bad guy character in this movie had a M1911 (nickel?).
The question is, in April of 1912 would it have been possible for him, as a civilian, to obtain such a piece???
What can I say...the mind wanders sometimes.
scott
The question is, in April of 1912 would it have been possible for him, as a civilian, to obtain such a piece???
What can I say...the mind wanders sometimes.
scott
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I've seen this discussed before. Some people thought that the gun was available in America maybe a few months before the Titanic sailed. It would have had to have made its way to the UK during that time too. It is conceivable that a rich person with some pull could have gotten the gun before it was available in stores. Some people said that Jim Cameron is a stickler for details and would have researched this for the movie.
The first 40 M1911 pistols were assembled on 28 Dec, 1911 for the military. The first 43 Government Models (civilian pistols were not called 1911s) were assembled on 09 Mar, 1912. If Zane's character knew someone or had a whole lotta pull at Colt, it "might" have been possible, but I doubt it.Old Savage wrote:When then was it available to the public?
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Colt was shipping them in 1912. Government Model, serial number C380 was assembled on 17 July, 1912 and shipped to Pacific Hardware & Steel Company, San Francisco California on 3 September, 1912. It's in the private collection of Charles W. Clawson.lever-4-life wrote:They were manufactured for commercial starting in 1912 but didn't hit shelfs until 1913.When then was it available to the public?
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20 lashes with a Hoppes soaked gun rag(100% cotton of course)!!!!!lever-4-life wrote:Colt was shipping them in 1912.
My apologies, I was always to the thought it wasn't until 1913 they became a commercial gun
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
No apologies needed my friend.My apologies, I was always to the thought it wasn't until 1913 they became a commercial gun
I'm just a huge junkie of the 1911/Government Models.
Terrorists: They hated you yesterday, they hate you today, and they will hate you tomorrow.
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Nope, it's not that either;RSY wrote:lever-4-life wrote:Colt was shipping them in 1912.I think 1913 was the year for Navy/Marine Corps adoption. Maybe that's why that date sticks out for you.
My apologies, I was always to the thought it wasn't until 1913 they became a commercial gun
1912
1-500 Colt 500
501-1000 Colt USN 500
1001-1500 Colt 500
1501-2000 Colt USN 500
2001-2500 Colt 500
2501-3500 Colt USN 1000
3501-3800 Colt USMC 300
3801-4500 Colt 700
4501-5500 Colt USN 1000
5501-6500 Colt 1000
6501-7500 Colt USN 1000
7501-8500 Colt 1000
8501-9500 Colt USN 1000
9501-10500 Colt 1000
10501-11500 Colt USN 1000
11501-12500 Colt 1000
12501-13500 Colt USN 1000
13501-17250 Colt
The Navy placed it's first order for the M1911 in October 1911 for 7000 pistols.
Last edited by OD* on Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Terrorists: They hated you yesterday, they hate you today, and they will hate you tomorrow.
End the cycle of hatred, don't give them a tomorrow.
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It was an engraved Colt Government Model (1911).DerekR wrote:I don't think it was a 1911. I think it was a Colt 1903. Watch it again and see if I'm right.
http://www.originalprop.com/public_html ... unsmag.pdf
Scroll about half way down.
But the pistol they used would not have been available in 1912, it has the long wide spur hammer and Colt didn't used that until around serial # C99000 (1918).
Terrorists: They hated you yesterday, they hate you today, and they will hate you tomorrow.
End the cycle of hatred, don't give them a tomorrow.
End the cycle of hatred, don't give them a tomorrow.