Thanks for sharing the colt 1903 I have one and love it. Everytime some one does a review the prices on them goes up so I have to thank you very much .
All that rough engraving can be precision laser welded using similiar steels, resurfaced and then re-parkerized. Yes, I saw on T.V. first hand Jack Ruby shooting Oswald.
I’d argue that engraving adds value to that pistol. Because it was “a part of his collection”; as denoted in the letter, that engraving acts as an identifier. Like when a handgun has British proofs from lend/lease or the likes. Only this is so much more rare. No one else engrave your gun.
When I was USAF, it seemed the Navy guys used the term "spook" to describe any with a with a higher tier classification mission whether ground, sea, or air. I think I 1st heard it, 6 years into my career.
I thought General Charles Baron had served with distinction and his service included a D Day landing and fighting his way across Europe after fighting in the North Africa. I had understood that he joined the Army reserves in 1938 after college and was put on Active duty from 1941 to 1946. I believe he served in artillery. While at War he earned the Bronze Star, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 5 Service Stars (with both stars and arrowheads), American Defense Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, and the Army Occupation Medal Ribbon and had risen to the rank of full Colonel. That doesn't sound very Administrative to me. I think you will find that when he went to the National Guard after the war is when he became a General. Does it hurt value if a famous person marks their guns in a well known fashion? I don't think so. I think it adds to provenance.
I respectfully disagree that the inscriptions hurt the value. If an unknown person did it, yes, it would devalue the gun. But not when a general or some other notable person has it done. Plus, it was not scratched on, it was professionally inscribed. How much it increases the value would be on a gun by gun basis.
Thanks Tom, for another of your always interesting videos. The personalities and their relationships to the guns are intriguing. I am somewhat of an enthusiast of the Colt 1903/08 Pocket Model series and have owned several of the civilian models of both calibers. Fine shooters and great concealed carry. It appeared that a few years ago there was going to be a revival of the 1903 by a company other than Colt. A few pistols were produced but, unfortunately, the effort seems to have gone bust. BTW, too bad the Baron pistol was terribly defaced.
I knew there was a reason I liked you besides all the cool guns you discuss. Quote:( give away to Tallybon) LMAmmo0 NO he didn't. PS: I don't find the fact of that funny, but your comment is.
From personal experience, it is real. Mafia daughters get married and take their husbands non-Italian last name. (Grandma and grandpa for me.) The uncles and friends help their boys earn money growing up. It was very educational working with my fathers friends (relatives?) as a teen. When you become an adult, you get a choice to go all in or leave. I chose to leave.
It is truly disturbing that oh, so many makers of firearms videos don't demonstrate that the weapon they are fondling is UNLOADED. That is the first rule of handling firearms - you ALWAYS CHECK IT YOURSELF. I NEVER PULL A WEAPON OF ANY KIND OUT OF STORAGE BEFORE DEMONSTRATING THAT IT IS NOT LOADED.
