History Primer 182: US Colt 1909 Through 1911 Documentary

Published on August 22, 2023
Duration: 56:41

This video details the development of the Colt Model 1909, a crucial precursor to the iconic M1911 pistol. It covers the design evolution, technical innovations like the tipping barrel system, and the extensive military trials that shaped its features. The presenter provides a detailed look at the 1909's mechanics, including its disassembly and reassembly process, highlighting key differences and similarities to later models.

Quick Summary

The Colt Model 1909 was a pivotal prototype in the development of the Colt M1911 pistol. Key innovations included a single, tilting barrel link for improved durability, an ergonomic side-mounted push-button magazine release, and an enhanced grip safety. Its disassembly process was also streamlined, allowing slide removal from the front.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Rare Prototypes
  2. 00:33Colt Model 1909 Overview
  3. 01:18Sponsor Mentions
  4. 02:41History of Browning's Designs
  5. 03:25Colt Model 1900 and 1902
  6. 03:58Colt Model 1905 and .45 ACP Cartridge
  7. 04:41Ordnance Requests and Model 1907
  8. 05:24Model 1907/1909 Trials Pistol Issues
  9. 06:49Concurrent Development and Improvement
  10. 07:54John Moses Browning's Overhaul: Model 1909
  11. 08:27The Tilting Barrel Innovation
  12. 09:37Flow of Other Browning Ideas
  13. 10:31Single Link System Advantages
  14. 11:11New Features: Magazine Release, Firing Pin
  15. 11:32US Patents and Future Changes
  16. 11:44Examining the Colt 1909
  17. 12:14Slide and Frame Differences
  18. 12:31Takedown Mechanism
  19. 12:45Key Features of the 1909
  20. 13:00Push Button Magazine Release
  21. 13:09Slide Release and Takedown Lever
  22. 13:19Grip Safety and Hammer Decocking
  23. 13:39Mainspring Housing and Grip Safety
  24. 13:53External Extractor and Pin Retention Plate
  25. 14:16Front of the Pistol: Recoil Spring Cap
  26. 14:42Slide Lock on Empty
  27. 14:56Slide Lock Lever Mechanism
  28. 15:51Takedown Lever Functionality
  29. 16:06Disassembly Process
  30. 16:40Barrel Bushing and Slide Removal
  31. 17:12Takedown vs. 'Idiot Mark'
  32. 17:36Barrel Link and Disassembly
  33. 18:00Disassembled Components
  34. 18:32Takedown Lever Plunger
  35. 18:37Recoil Spring Guide
  36. 19:03Recoil Spring Cap
  37. 19:10Barrel Bushing Details
  38. 19:31Slide Features
  39. 19:57Rear of the Slide: Firing Pin Retention
  40. 20:28Barrel and Locking Lugs
  41. 20:46Frame Details
  42. 20:55Out of Battery Safety / Disconnector
  43. 21:05Ejector
  44. 21:15Reassembly Process
  45. 21:47Takedown Lever Reinstallation
  46. 22:20Spring Compression and Cap Issues
  47. 22:44Mechanical Differences: 1909 vs. 1911
  48. 22:56Loading and Readying the Pistol
  49. 23:01Magazine Retention
  50. 23:25Magazine Follower and Spring
  51. 23:31Readying the Pistol: Slide Operation
  52. 23:40Recoil Spring Assembly
  53. 23:54Browning's Tipping Locked Breech System
  54. 24:36Lockwork: Trigger
  55. 24:49Lockwork: Grip Safety Interaction
  56. 25:05Lockwork: Sear
  57. 25:32Lockwork: Trigger and Disconnector
  58. 25:57Slide Travel and Disconnector Reset
  59. 26:21Lockwork: Flat Springs
  60. 26:47Lockwork: Mainspring Housing and Plunger
  61. 27:01Lockwork: Inertia Firing Pin
  62. 27:20Extractor and Ejector
  63. 27:43Last Round Slide Lock Open
  64. 28:04Dropping the Slide
  65. 28:12Lack of Shooting Footage
  66. 28:25Initial Demonstrations and Lt. Col. Thompson
  67. 29:09Official Report: Positive Findings
  68. 29:46Production of Model 1909 Pistols
  69. 30:00Colt's Internal Designation
  70. 30:07February 1910 Testing
  71. 30:30First Failure: Chipped Hammer Notch
  72. 31:05Demonstrations to Service Boards
  73. 31:42Springfield Armory Testing
  74. 31:58Rock Island Arsenal Testing
  75. 32:34School of Musketry Testing
  76. 33:18Infantry Board Report
  77. 33:44Field Artillery and Cavalry Boards
  78. 34:19Cavalry Board Opposition
  79. 35:32October 1910 Ordnance Testing
  80. 35:43The Cavalry Board as the Holdout
  81. 35:54Further Improvements: Model 1910
  82. 36:16Improved Grip Design
  83. 36:48Model 1910 Additional Changes
  84. 37:17Internal Extractor in Model 1910
  85. 37:47Rarity of Model 1910
  86. 38:04Demonstration to Thompson: Model 1910
  87. 38:39Initial Model 1910 Defects
  88. 39:06Subsequent Model 1910 Testing
  89. 39:59Ordnance Opinion on Model 1910
  90. 40:05May 1910 Testing
  91. 40:18Special Grips on Serial Number 3
  92. 40:31Cavalry Concerns and Safety Solutions
  93. 40:57Colt Model 1909 with Lever Safety
  94. 41:22Browning's Thumb Safety Design
  95. 41:43Demonstration of Browning Safety
  96. 43:31Springfield Armory Rejection and Recommendation
  97. 43:44Colt Special Army Model of 1910
  98. 44:05John T. Thompson's Letter
  99. 44:11Savage Entry in Trials
  100. 44:38Final Showdown: March 15, 1911
  101. 45:14Endurance Test: 6000 Rounds
  102. 45:39Malfunctions: Colt vs. Savage
  103. 46:23Colt's Barrel Design Fault
  104. 47:04Colt's Return to Work
  105. 47:46Colt's Targeted Improvements for 1911
  106. 48:46Frame Retaining the Safety
  107. 50:06Brilliant Safety Mechanism Design
  108. 50:21Further Changes to Recoil Spring and Magazine
  109. 50:40Colt Special Army Model of 1911
  110. 50:52Savage Upgrades
  111. 51:04Final Showdown Comparison
  112. 51:51Endurance Test Results
  113. 52:39The Winner: Colt
  114. 52:48Board Convinced: Colt Pistol Adoption
  115. 53:01Official Designation: Model of 1911
  116. 53:14Future Adjustments
  117. 53:25Thanks and Credits
  118. 54:36Design Discussion
  119. 55:02Luger Ergonomics Influence
  120. 55:54Stuffed Goat Analogy
  121. 56:25Site Safety Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the key innovations of the Colt Model 1909 compared to earlier designs?

The Colt Model 1909 introduced a single, tilting barrel link system, a departure from older twin-link designs, improving durability. It also featured a more ergonomic side-mounted push-button magazine release and an improved grip safety for enhanced user operation and safety.

How did the Colt Model 1909's disassembly process differ from its predecessors?

The Model 1909 featured a significantly improved disassembly process where the slide was removed from the front of the pistol after disengaging a plunger and collar, making it safer and more efficient than older methods that required rearward slide removal.

What were the main criticisms or issues encountered during the Colt Model 1909's military trials?

While generally successful, the Model 1909 faced criticisms from the Cavalry board regarding two-handed operation and reloading on horseback. Minor issues like magazine feed lip deformation were also noted, requiring design adjustments for future iterations.

What role did the Colt Model 1909 play in the development of the Colt M1911?

The Model 1909 was a critical prototype that directly led to the M1911. It incorporated many of the M1911's foundational features, including the tilting barrel, grip safety, and improved magazine release, undergoing extensive trials that refined its design for military adoption.

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