Dr_Scholl Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 First, let me give you some background information on my grandfather. He joined the U.S Navy in 1948 as an officer and served for 25 years as a pilot. He's always had an interest in guns and has 16, but we never really considered him a "gun" guy. Anyway, his health has been declining for over 10 years, and on Christmas Eve he fell, hit his head and broke his neck. The doctor has said that given his age and pre-existing health problems, he only has a few weeks to a month. It's been a very difficult time for my family to say the least. In preparation for when it happens, the family has been cataloging my grandparents things. My dad and I were put in charge of the guns. Turns out he has 19 guns, 7 or 8 that we didn't even know about. But one in particular really stood out from the rest...a Colt Series 80 Gold Cup National Match pistol. It was one of Colt's higher end 1911's that they made from 1983 to 1996. No one knew he had it. It's just been sitting in his office safe for 16 years. A very beautiful pistol that I was happy to find, but given the circumstances, it's kind of bitter sweet. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 (edited) So sorry to hear about your grandfather, it sounds like he's led an interesting life. A nice pistol. I've fired quite few 1911s in different guises including a few Gold Cups. Really nice simple pistols with beautiful lines and all the ones I ever shot were really accurate straight out of the box. I prefer them unadorned, just like that, without all the add-on bling and gizmos the practical guys go for. ISTR they used a slightly lighter recoil spring than a bog standard 1911A1 so they were better suited to 180gr Semi Wadcutters for target work, rather than 230gr ball? One handed deliberate shooting at a bullseye target with one of those is how it should be done! Edited January 4, 2012 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
englishman-in-wales Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Sorry to hear your sad news dude....yeah that sure is a beautiful looking pistol... All the best fella Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAVAGE HMR Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Very sad to hear about your Grandfather, the loss of family is never an easy time. If this Colt comes your way after his passing, having it engraved with one of your Grandfathers favourite quotes or an ode to the man himself. It is a beautiful looking pistol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Very sad to hear about your Grandfather, the loss of family is never an easy time. If this Colt comes your way after his passing, having it engraved with one of your Grandfathers favourite quotes or an ode to the man himself. It is a beautiful looking pistol. Nice suggestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Sorry to hear about your grand dad chap. Nice looking piece, it looks mint. What other beauties has he got? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker3 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 sorry to hear that about your grandfather buddy he certainly seems to have had an interesting life what a nice looking weapon how easy is it over there to get it transferred over to you or your father atb andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Very sorry to hear of your Grandfather;I'll bet he's had some tales to tell. I had a 1911A1 with a series 80 barrel when I was a pistol shooter.It was customised by Ferrand Custom Arms and had a lot of work done to it.It wasn't a 'race' gun but was built for competition,and with target loads the sight/target aquisition time after recoil was the best I've come across. They were/are a fabulous design,and the Gold Cup was the best of the best factory 1911's.Your Grandfathers looks in unfired condition;and the chequering appears to be as pin sharp as the day it was carved. Certainly something to be cherished,even more so with it's family connections. A Navy pilot eh?Fabulous. What did he fly,Grummans? If you have any more pic's of his other firearms,I'd be interested to see them when circumstances allow,and if you feel like posting them. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Very sorry to hear about your grandfather That is a lovelly pistol, you will never forget where it come from All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 (edited) I am sorry to hear about your grandad my thoughts are with you and your family Good looking pistol I was never lucky enough to have ever fired a pistol looks I missed out on a lot Edited January 4, 2012 by mad1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Scholl Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Sorry to hear about your grand dad chap. Nice looking piece, it looks mint. What other beauties has he got? Pre-64 Winchester 94 in .32 Special. According to my father it's about 60 years old. Remington Model 11 which belonged to my great-grandfather. The serial number indicates it was built around 1925. S&W .357 Magnum SS w/6 inch barrel. Astra A-75 40 caliber pistol Norinco(Chinese) SKS with aftermarket black polymer stock. Just to name a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Pre-64 Winchester 94 in .32 Special. According to my father it's about 60 years old. Remington Model 11 which belonged to my great-grandfather. The serial number indicates it was built around 1925. S&W .357 Magnum SS w/6 inch barrel. Astra A-75 40 caliber pistol Norinco(Chinese) SKS with aftermarket black polymer stock. Just to name a few. Woh! Thats some good iron work. Can you keep them on? What's the score with keeping handguns in your neck of the woods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Twenty Five years as a pilot would have taken him through a very interesting period in naval aviation in terms of aircraft and conflicts..... Nice gun too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Scholl Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Woh! Thats some good iron work. Can you keep them on? What's the score with keeping handguns in your neck of the woods? What do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff75 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 he means can you keep them or do you have to hand in to the police whats the law regarding this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 For what it's worth I hope your old man proves the docs wrong and recovers. The pistol is nice but a poor substitute for a loved one. If you need to talk were all here for you!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Scholl Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 he means can you keep them or do you have to hand in to the police whats the law regarding this Over here you can keep them. It's pretty common in the US for people to pass firearms down in their will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RED BEARD Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 sorry to hear your grandad's in a bad way.the colt looks to be in fine fettle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini52 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 First, let me give you some background information on my grandfather. He joined the U.S Navy in 1948 as an officer and served for 25 years as a pilot. He's always had an interest in guns and has 16, but we never really considered him a "gun" guy. Anyway, his health has been declining for over 10 years, and on Christmas Eve he fell, hit his head and broke his neck. The doctor has said that given his age and pre-existing health problems, he only has a few weeks to a month. It's been a very difficult time for my family to say the least. In preparation for when it happens, the family has been cataloging my grandparents things. My dad and I were put in charge of the guns. Turns out he has 19 guns, 7 or 8 that we didn't even know about. But one in particular really stood out from the rest...a Colt Series 80 Gold Cup National Match pistol. It was one of Colt's higher end 1911's that they made from 1983 to 1996. No one knew he had it. It's just been sitting in his office safe for 16 years. A very beautiful pistol that I was happy to find, but given the circumstances, it's kind of bitter sweet. :( Nice gun i had a 1942 comercial 1911a i believe after that date they only made them for the militery after dunblane we lost the right to hand guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Scholl Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) He passed today at 7 PM Eastern Standard Time. :( Thank you everybody for the kind words. Edited January 8, 2012 by Dr_Scholl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAVAGE HMR Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 He passed today at 7 PM Eastern Standard Time. :( Thank you everybody for the kind words. Sorry to hear that mate. You've got your family and loads of mates here if you want to chat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Sorry bout the news of your Grandad mate.That is one beautiful pistol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Sorry for your loss. Sounds like a life well lived. Be proud! GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Sorry to hear that, RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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