WW1 French Contract Colt 1911 for Tank Crewmen

Published on July 8, 2020
Duration: 9:00

This video details a rare French Contract Colt 1911, one of 5,000 commercial 'Government Model' pistols purchased by France during WWI due to a handgun shortage. These pistols, chambered in .45 ACP (designated 11.25mm by the French), were likely issued to tank crews and retain early 1911 features. Authentication relies on Colt Historian letters, as they lack unique French military markings.

Quick Summary

A French Contract Colt 1911 is one of 5,000 commercial 'Government Model' pistols purchased by France during WWI due to a handgun shortage. These .45 ACP pistols, designated 11.25mm by the French, were likely issued to tank crews and lack unique military markings, requiring Colt Historian verification.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: French Contract Colt 1911
  2. 00:39France's WWI Handgun Shortage
  3. 02:30Procurement Details: 5,000 Commercial Colts
  4. 03:18Usage: French Tank Crews & 11.25mm Designation
  5. 04:16Markings & Early 1911 Features
  6. 05:31Authentication via Colt Historian
  7. 07:25Post-War Fate & Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a French Contract Colt 1911?

A French Contract Colt 1911 refers to one of 5,000 commercial 'Government Model' pistols purchased by the French government during World War I to address a severe handgun shortage. These were standard production models, not custom military orders, and were likely issued to specialized troops like tank crews.

Why did France buy Colt 1911 pistols in WWI?

France faced a critical shortage of handguns during WWI, despite being a major arms producer. They needed sidearms for roles like pilots, tank crewmen, and trench raiders, leading them to import various models, including these 5,000 Colt 1911s from the United States.

How can you identify a French Contract Colt 1911?

Identifying a French Contract Colt 1911 is challenging as they lack unique military stamps. Authentication typically requires a letter from the Colt Historian confirming its shipment to France, as they are essentially commercial 'Government Model' pistols with specific serial number ranges.

What caliber was the French Contract Colt 1911?

The French Contract Colt 1911 was chambered in the standard .45 ACP caliber. The French military designated this caliber as '11.25mm,' a measurement likely derived from the barrel's land diameter rather than the bullet diameter.

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