My most exciting magnet fishing find yet, a 1911 handgun!
Well most of one anyway. I didn't think it was a real one to begin with and just threw it in my trolley, but cleaning up in some rust remover and some vigorous brushing revealed "United States Property" and a serial number engraved on one side, and the letters G.H.D on the other which confirmed that it is the body of a real gun!
Definitely wasn't expecting to find this in the canal in Gloucester. I think it's from WW2 judging by the state of it and the markings, but I'm definitely not an expert.
Here's a picture of the other side, the G.H.D engraving isn't really visible on camera though:
Ah the age old of tradition of throwing military equipment into bodies of water when you're done with it.
Jokes aside I mod the Forgotten Weapons community and I cross posted this over there. I'm sure at least one of our subscribers is probably well versed enough to give some more insight without even looking it up.
Include the link to ![email protected] - it's a cool community and you deserve the plug!
Thanks! It would be interesting to know more about it
That is a very cool find. If you can make out the serial number you should be able to tell who made it and in which year.
https://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt%20production.htm
https://sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm
I think it was made by Colt in 1942. I wasn't sure of the first digit in the serial number but it looks like either an 8 or a 3 and the G.H.D inspection marker means it must be an 8. Pretty cool, thanks for the links!
That would be cool to find out. The first few digits are difficult to make out, but I'll probably have another go with a wire brush and see if I can make them legible.
Use a copper brass or bronze brush if possible. It'll do less damage to the underlying frame.
Woah! Sweet find!
Around here you're supposed to call the police if you reel in any kind of firearm. Though I suppose they might spare the bomb squad if it's just a frame... and accidents happen, maybe you forget to call it in...
I honestly thought they might say I'm wasting their time with a frame so rusted that you'd be better off machining a new one than trying to restore it. I think its time in the canal has rendered it thoroughly deactivated
I think it's more to do with it being possible evidence in an unsolved crime, at least that's a pretty common theme here in the states
Sure but there's no barrel so it isn't going to be of any forensic value, I don't think. If it were stolen j guess the SN would be of use.
Removing the barrel and discarding somewhere else is a great way to hide evidence too.
evidence as in "location where the gun was found didn't match the suspect's story / matches somewhere they were known to have visited" or even just helping to complete a story that started with the serial number going missing.
Oh I definitely agree, In some circumstances it's pointless