The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols [Perfect Paperback]

Joe Poyer (Author), Craig Riesch (Editor), Technical Adviser (Editor), Karl Karash (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

Nearly five years in preparation, this newest book in the For Collectors Only® series examines John Browning's Model 1911/1911A1 from barrel bushing to hammer to lanyard loop on a part-by-part basis. As it approaches its 100th Anniversary, it remains as popular as ever and one of the most sought-after pistols by collectors the world over.

The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols is 544 pages long. It includes 82 tables detailing parts and markings and 673 photographs and drawings. An eight page color insert shows rarely seen examples of the Model 1911 and Model 1911A1.

Parts are described in chapters organized by assembly receiver, slide and magazine. Each part of each assembly 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.

All military and commercial markings are listed by date or serial number range of use. Serial numbers are listed in twenty-six individual tables both by military and the individual commercial models, and by other manufacturers. An appendix contains a serial number listing organized both by manufacturing and shipping date. Serial numbers for British military, Canadian, Argentine, Norwegian, and Russian military pistols are also given. Individual chapters and appendices provide detailed examinations of markings on receivers, slides and barrels, including military inspection and commercial inspection markings, and photographs of all slide markings. Finishes are described for both military and commercial pistols by serial number ranges.

Accoutrements and accessories of the military .45 ACP pistol are thoroughly explored and photographed including all tools, belts, magazine pockets, and holsters. Complete listings and descriptions of all U.S. military Model 1912, 1916, M3, M7, and M15 holster manufacturers are included. U.S. military-issue ammunition in .45 ACP is described in detail. A photo-illustrated assembly/disassembly procedure shows the most efficient way to service 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . the one-stop, standard reference in the [Model 1911 and 1911A1] field. It is simply first rate." --Lee Rutledge, author, Campaign Clothing, Field Uniforms of the Indian War Army; I highly recommend the latest Collector's Only book: The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols by Joe Poyer. This book is the new Bible for those who want to learn more about these venerable John Browning designed pistols. The information on the [544] pages is both complete and reliable, and each model and every gun part are clearly photographed and amply described. The true collector will appreciate the sections on related hardware and accoutrements. This is clearly author Joe Poyer's best work to date, and sets a new standard for Collectors Only" books, which are a true bargain among gun books today. --Roy Marcot, Remington Arms Historian and Author

". . . this hefty tome brings together information from a wide range of primary sources to provide a complete guide for collecting America's greatest service pistol. Organization is by assembly: trigger, slide, sights, etc., with parts within each assembly described in luxuriant detail with 672 illustrations and 82 tables to spell out particulars. Serial numbers for foreign equivalents like the Norwegian m/1914 and Argentine Modelo 1927 are included in separate tables. Military and commercial markings are listed by date or serial number range for easy verification of authenticity. In all, this is a guide any M1911 collector will find essential." --Shotgun News Bookshelf

Just a note of appreciation to [the authors] for their effort(s) with this publication. I have a modest collection of these pistols and the reference material from this book is nothing short of outstanding! I have never seen so much info on a particular subject from one source as this. --Peter Crampton, Canada

About the Author

Joe Poyer has written or co-written fourteen books on firearms using the part-by-part approach (which he originated) to the analysis of collectible firearms. By using factory and other records combined with the systematic examination of large numbers of the subject firearm and consultation with many collectors and authorities, his books in the For Collectors Only® series have made it possible for collectors to examine a subject firearm in a forensic manner to determine its authenticity. He has written over four hundred magazine articles on firearms, military history and the modern military, twelve novels with worldwide sales, and served as an on-camera military consultant to a large, independent television station in Southern California.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: North Cape Publications, Inc.; 1 edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882391462
• ISBN-13: 978-1882391462
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Content In A Cheap Package, June 21, 2008

By 

BookLuvr39 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols (Perfect Paperback)

I am a fan and collector of John Browning's creation that has seen service in two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and numerous other military operations throughout the world during the past 90+ years. So when this book came out I was among the first to get a copy and read it. The content is excellent and the information pertinent for the serious collector or admirer of these fine guns. Most of it is a re-hash of the information found in Charles Clawson's notable books, most of which are now out of print. I should also state that most of this information can now be found on the internet on various forums and newsgroups. For the price (nearly $40.00) I was expecting a quality book that would hold up under use. The book itself is little more than a cheap paperback printed on a mediocre grade of paper with a flimsy paper cover. I was disappointed with the quality of the book itself, and thought it was greatly over-priced for a paperback handbook. If you don't have another source for this information, you will probably need this book. If you don't want to spend nearly $40.00 for a cheap paperback, you may be able to get most of the information elsewhere. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate the content as a 10, while I rate the quality of the book itself as a 3. Overall, I would give it a 5-6.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best reference in print!, August 21, 2008

By 

e. norton (spartanburg, sc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols (Perfect Paperback)

I picked this up at the NGD in Louisville It is an excellent stand alone reference and a compliment to the Clawson volume. And with Karl Karash involved you know it will be accurate. $40.00 well spent and more bang for the buck compared to Clawsons book now over 700. The only downside is it's paperback and won't stand up to daily use.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2009 review, November 14, 2009

By 

Dean Passi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols (Perfect Paperback)

Extensive facts and details covering both the pistols themselves and their related accessories. Brief story history of their developement and first use. Excellent as a fact check book to verify the correctness of any 1911 or 1911a1. Contains all the facts currently believed to be correct with many excellent pictures and drawings.