Russian Contract Colt 1911 

I’m org from Iraq and the 1911 you have was given to Iraqi army tankers back in 80s

At 8:40 the Luger appears to be Bulgarian, not Russian, since ОГЪНЪ is a Bulgarian word. Great channel!

Not pitted? Am i seeing things? looks like somebody left it out to rust then wire wheeled it, the edges look rounded

Sent to Russia when there still a Tsar & it was Russia, not USSR.

Germany entered the war on side of the Austrian Empire, not on France's side.

Some survive even today in Finland, some were here probably after Russian revolution and some were probably captured during the Finnish ww2 wars from the Soviets... Used to have a short summer work back in 80's inspecting different firearms and do the C.I.P. stamping on them. We did pressure firing tests for cartridges too, some with old "police disposed weapons" that had gone to police custody from different channels. One day I sorted these old beat up, some broken firearms from plastic bucket where they were thrown into. One gun immediately froze my blood, and it was the almost mint with slight wear, Colt Government 1911A1, nickeled, with ivory grips. Yes, ivory grips 🙂. And yes, it was one of these Colts send originally to Tsaar. It had the russian stamp on it, and the serial number fitted to the last batch of Colts sold to Russia. Didn't have sources to check out in more detail, but the serial number I did manage to place to these shipments.Tried to buy it, but when I told the bosses what it was, they refused, dang... even though it was put to pile of guns to be destroyed in firing or just plain trashed 😔 Good news? Kind of, the gun survived, I begged them to do so after they refused to sell it to me. It is hanging on wall in class box on a government building (private place, not open for general public). I always wondered who had done the nickel plating and put ivory grips on it, but since cyrillic stamping was put on top of the nickel plating, I think it was done by Colt or somebody else before it ended to Russia. Perhaps a special order/gift for a Russian officer? ... who knows...

I would say a prayer for the Tsar and his family.

Today I learned that Germany entered World War One on the side of France. Amazing!

Germany entered the war on the side of France (6:45). You might want to correct that!

I was watching this video with a friend and when you said that Germany allied with France my friend made a very comical comment. He quoted a line from the movie Blazing Saddles. "Hold it, hold it. What the hell was that shit?". Anyways, we both knew that you did not mean to say that and you simply misspoke. So we had a good laugh at your expense. Thank you very much for the videos. We really enjoy them.

I have one of these 1911s. My father was a Naval officer who participated in the SALT I treaty negotiations in the 1960's. This was a first step in limiting nuclear arms. I am speculating, but he may have acquired it from an opposing negotiator during the talks. It has been re- blued, but is in very fine condition. The roll marks are crisp and the Russian Cyrillic marking are clear. Rock Island auctions sold one several years ago for over $12,000. They wanted mine and said it was reasonable to offer for $6-7,000 for it, because it is not in original condition due to the re-blueing. I also suspect the magazine and barrel have been replaced at some time. Always interested in finding out more information about these early 'English Order' Russian Colt 1911s. The last guy I showed it to got very excited when I brought it in to his gunshop. He offered me $2500.

I had 16 of these Russian contract 1911 pistols.Pistol C71905 from Yakov Yurovsky was used to kill the tsar.

Great video! On the weapons that were used to murder the Czar and his family, there is a video here on RU-vid about the Romanovs that shows the actual guns that were used. These were apparently kept by the Soviet government. Among them was a Colt 1911 pistol. I'll try to find the video. Thanks again!

Nice one. Although, as others have pointed out, this gun has clearly been buffered to remove some of the pitting and possibly rust. As a side note, it might have been interesting to see it from all angles, front, back, top, and bottom too, not just both sides. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

Looks like it was wire wheel burnished to remove rust.

17 minutes......Hold on ......I am going to have to pause the video to go get some supplies a cup of Coffee and some breakfast, OK Now start the video.

Hey could it be possible for you to do a video on finnish contract Lugers? There really isn't alot of info out there on them.

The average Russian was more afraid of their officers and Stalin. That's why so many of them died.

Fascinating, candy for 1911 fans and russophiles. Молодцы!

Very cool variant of the 1911, thanks for sharing it

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria of Austria, not Archbishop, lol, Tom.

I like your videos, but that was the most inaccurate layout of WWI I have ever heard.

Marked with “English Order” Russian contract 1911’s came through England where JP Morgan acted as a purchasing agent. These were shipped in batches of 5000 from May 1916 through December 1916. Unmarked Russian contract 1911’s was shipped directly from United States to St Petersburg where National City Bank was a purchasing agency for all imported goods from United States to Russia. Those were shipped in batches of 2500 from February 1916 through April 1916. JP Morgan thought that they had a exclusive right to import to Russia, so when they learned about National City Bank, they quickly addressed this issue to President Wilson. Not to upset England National City Bank immediately stopped all imports into Russia. Note that JP Morgan acted as a purchasing agent for Rothschild’s. And National City Bank acted as a purchasing agent for Rockefeller’s

If these gun could talk is correct, and the history. Truly a classic. Great 👍 videos 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

On 3:23 on the frame you can see stamped АНГЛ ЗАКАЗЪ - British order

ผมชอบมากๆๆครับ👍👍👍

I love these little bits of history and how they tie things together. I would have imagine that that batch had to of influenced the TT30/TT33 granted Fedor Tokarev could have bought a pistol anywhere but how could he not have taken note of these 1911's.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria not archbishop 🙃 also, Lend-Lease was a WWII-era program not WWI. Good job with convoluted and little-known history overall though.

Looks like it was “unrusted” with a wheel cotton buffer. Possibly rusted from a salt environment with the snow?

I love the history and character on these old pieces. I have an Izzy Ex-Sniper Mosin and a Rock-ola M1 Carbine both made in November 1942 on different sides of the world.

...lol... my buddy snickered and said; "I wonder how many people that fucking thing killed." I retorted with; "I wonder how many people that fucking thing saved." This old 1911 is giving me goose bumps. I can feel the history with this baby. OMG the things this gun has probably seen. Holy crap. I would pay top dollar for this one. Man dude, you have a very unique job. You get to immerse yourself in all these awesome antiques. 1911's are the pistols that started everything after. I have no idea which one I will eventually buy but man, this is a sophisticated weapon for so many reasons. My Sig 226 is the closest thing I have to this gun. Kimber sure makes some gorgeous 1911's. I love this channel. ...lol...

World War One was the world's biggest and worst domestic dispute.

If you feed the gun some vodka it will tell you it was in that basement in the Ipatjev house

cheers tom what a gun still looks modern

Speaking of the pistols supplied in WW2 I was buying some ammo from a guy who had a few days earlier sold like 1400 rounds of Russian lend lease .45ACP. interestingly he said it was all repacked into boxes for 7.62X25 Tokarev ammo and then held in storage until I guess the end of the cold war

Absolutely fascinating. If that 1911 passed me I'd not have a clue that it was worth a second look.

Confusing = Russian Contract 1911s & American Contract Lugers

Legacy collectibles always have the best quality firearms and memorabilia ,they also have the best prices and outstanding customer service.

I'm American born and bred. After studying the Russian contribution to WW2, I'm of the opinion their contribution to the war was at least equal to ours, just in different ways. For instance, their civilian and military losses were horrendous, as they were heavily invaded.

Beautiful looking 1911 and thanks for the info my friend 👍👍👍👍👍

That was a god awful history of the beginning of WW1 😂 but an amazing pistol with an extremely interesting history. God knows what this has been through

This gun looks pitted to me! What are all of the little spots on it with pits showing everywhere? It had been rusty but someone took the rust off!. That took all the bluing off and made it look like it does in this video!! I mean the bluing is missing from even places where you can't put your hand or a finger on!!! I know you are a knowledgeable gun guy but dang man this gun has been rusted and had the rust removed! If you take the grips off you will see no bluing! There should be some left under the area where the grips covered up the metal! Now if there is still bluing under the grip panels I will say I am wrong but I think this thing has been worked on heavily to remove rust!

Do a Tokarev video PLEASE!!!!!

Maybe it wasn’t the gun used on the Czar, but the one used on Rasputin. Maybe that’s what you’re feeling here Tom.

Every time I see some of those old work horses of either side I ponder on the fact that they were designed so well about 100 yrs back that they are still in use today with almost no changes in design.

Fascinating 👍

History combined with Colt. Winning!! 👍🇺🇸

How can someone get offended when you call an object ugly? Snowflakes in every community I suppose...ps it was ugly lol

Thank you!!!

Thank you Tom, appreciated.

What a wonderful story... thank you for sharing!

The Anglo Zakviat , or English Order... these saw much hard use much like the Winchester 1895 rifle muskets. They are very uncommon but not as rare as the French 1916 contract for their tank corps. These seem to have come from Finland or from German captured in WW 1 or WW2. The Russians did the same with the FN 1903 9mm long. It’s possible that your example was sent or sold to China as were C96 Mauser.

Very interesting an thanks for the knowledge about this 1911, Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I own a slightly older 1911 46211 serial. The bore is toast but she still fires very reliably. It belonged to my grandfather and passed to me.

Thank you so much for....Sharing this with us on youtube....0'my gosh what a story...!

It’s ironic because of the fact that America and Russia or to be correct Soviet Union where at each other’s throats for most of the twentieth century with the exception of ww2 but still none the less IRONIC

Minute 6:42, Germany was duty bound to enter the war on the side of France??? I'm a little confuse on your allied sides. Knowing this is supposed to be about the firearm.

I have a 1911 45 acp handgun, with 5 7 round standard magazines, and 2 10 round magazines I bought about a year ago online from a magazine seller. I also have a Cobra Patriot 45. The reason I bought it was it accepts 1911 magazines. I'm more partial to the 45 acp than other handguns. I also have a valid Ohio Concealed Handgun License.

Still Beautiful for it's age and handling!

Wow, Russian logistics still have not improved in over 100 years

Great review. Thanks a lot

Good stuff, what a relic !

Looks like it spent some time in the river.

Pretty cool poor leadership poor suplie lines wow i know this form some were ahh Ottomans yeah ottoman mauser video if you have one it will have a very long histroy

Arch bishop? Arch Duke.

Thanks Ed!

If that gun could talk it would be in Russian...

Indeed, if that old gun could talk . . .

Great content as always

C 71905 was "that" Colt. user ; Jakov Jurovski July 17. 1918.. Also Mauser C-96 and Nagant revolvers were told been there also.

Isn't that archduke, not archbishop?

My grandchildren will enjoy getting Bidens guns back from Afghanistan.

Britain was allied with Belgium not France

Interesting history lesson. I have a Colt WW-1 US Army 1913 with original wood grips and hardly shot.

Britain was not allied to France, Britain was allied to Holland, Germany tried to move troops through Holland's territory, when they couldn't get Holland's consent, they had to invade to get access, and that dragged dragged Britain into the war. Britain and France were rivals going into WWI, not allies.

It was the Arch Duke Ferdinand that was assassinated not the Arch Bishop. Still excellent video.

I wonder how many dissidents were murdered during the revolution by these pistols? Hopefully none or not many. I'd assume the Soviet Government preferred not to buy the "Yankee" ammo unless they had to.

Beautiful

Britain went to war over Germany attacking Belgium and capturing their ports which could used for invasion of Britain.

A comment on the assasinated arch Bishop mentioned at 6:20. It was not like that. The persons assasinated were the heir to the Austro Hungarian throne and his wife by a Serb terrorist, in Sarajevo .Just like the Kennedy assasination, but that time the terrorists came from Serbia and they denied to deliver them to Bosnian justice as they knew Russia supported them. So that started the WW1. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OfO7TduevHA.html

BTW it was Archduke, not Archbishop, lol.

Saw one at a gun show in Sacramento, CA back in the 80s. Finish was mostly gone and it was dark, not shiny.

Imagine how that letter went. Dear Russia I know you lost a bazillion people and and are living on rotten potatoes after the war but you owe us for those 1911s we sent over

Good story! I’m a bit of a 1911 fan, never heard of the Russian 1911s.

Right on a 104 years and veteran of various wars. 👉👍👈🖖

Rest in Peace 9 million Russian soldiers that lost their lives in ww2.

Great video and awesome story.

When we DO see them they usually come via Finland...whether they were part of the Russian arsenals the Finns acquired in their 1918 declaration of Independence post the Bolshevik Revolution or acquired during the Winter War...they rarely show up directly from Soviet stocks...

Love history keep making great video's please.

Can you do a video of the Thompson SMG's that made it to Russia during WWII? I have a (less receiver) complete M1928A1 that came from a large Russian supply found in the late '80's - early '90's and it's otherwise in brand-new condition. Same reason for the mothballs - no available .45 ACP ammo to feed it.

I think needs to read better history books, because some of that is weird history

Thankyou for the fascinating history of the Russian 1911 Colts.

👍saw a video where an *artist took one of these old Russian pistols (beat to hell & back) Built a small enclosure and encased the weapon in clear epoxy. Looked amazing! Sparkling clarity when finished.👍

Very informative video. Thank you

Looks like someone took it to a wire wheel to clean the rust off. 😒

The caliber marking is in 'England English' Calibre 45.

So the U.S. helped create the U.S.S.R.!?!?!?

Awesome

The assassination of the Austrian ARCHBISHOP?!.

ধন্যবাদ... thanks