THE COMPLETE BOOK OF THE MODEL 1911 THE COOPER EDITION JEFF COOPER 1920 – 2006

1911 GOVE R N M E NT

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF GUNS & AMMO ANNUAL USA/CANADA $8.99 DISPLAY UNTIL 11/05/2012 A Brother’s Keeper

BY ERIC R. POOLE // PHOTOS BY TRACY HALPIN

eventy-nine feet of skid marks indicated that Steve tried to TURNBULL RESTORATION stop, then swerved to avoid the train that killed him. Cross- CONJURES FOND ing the tracks on the way back from a meeting in Springfield S MEMORIES THROUGH on August 25, 1964, the untimely death of this 27-year-old special deputy sheriff and staff sergeant with the 182nd A REMINGTON UMC. Tactical Fighter Squadron Air Police Division was one of life’s unthinkable tragedies to those who knew him. Steve’s guns were decidedly passed “Naturally, when I see one of his guns down to his younger brother, Jim. When I think of my brother. But they’re good the accident occurred, Jim was following thoughts. I don’t dwell on it, but if I his brother’s footsteps and completing the want to feel real close to him I’ll pull second phase of basic training at Kessla one out and look at it. I still have the Air Force Base in Mississippi. He tear- .38 he kept under his pillow and the fully recalls, “Steve took me to the airport trap gun that he and I used to go when I had to report to the first phase out and hunt with,” Jim adds. “We of basic at Lackland in San Antonio. I hunted together when I was young, never thought that ride would be the last but after his accident I lost complete time I’d ever see him. When I was going interest. It was about 20 years before through phase two, the Red Cross came I could shoot again. I don’t know if to notify me.” I really ever lost interest in hunting, Steve was a proud veteran of the Air but whenever I came across his old trap Force and a better man than most. His gun or the .45, it brought back those family particularly recalls his patriotism, memories. When I see his 1911, I think his attention to detail and his love for of him in uniform because he often history. Among his personal effects, Steve carried it in his government-issued black left behind a number of guns that repre- leather holster. Before he was killed, I sented a different side to his personality went out and bought a Colt because I and each a different type of memory. wanted a 1911 like his. I was surprised to A BROTHER’S KEEPER

but the ones sent were commercial models not applicable to the military contract. Whenever possible, Turnbull’s will use original, period-correct parts. They do, Unfortunately, they couldn’t be used however, have the capility to manufacture new as samples to replicate. Remington did parts like this front sight to original specifica- tions. manage to procure 10 service pistols on their own and measured for the dimen- sions required to reverse-engineer the 1911 for manufacture. These dimensions were then used for the preparations of Remington’s own set of drawings, referred to as “Salvage” drawings. A large new factory complex was adapted for pistol production in Bridge- port, Connecticut, to produce these OLD NEW service autos immediately following the contract award. This plant became known as Bridgeport Works. It was This “before” picture shows the condition of Remington originally built in 1915 to manufacture “I wouldn’t turn this over to just with first-generation single actions, but UMC serial number 644 after spending 40 years in a holster, tucked away in a dusty basement. Turnbull’s re- Mosin-Nagants for the Russians, and anybody. I trust that you’ll take care of he loves working on handguns in general. search determined that only three parts were not original because pistol production machinery was it,” Jim said. Turnbull’s staff won’t recommend a to the gun and likely installed by a military armorer during its service life: barrel, grips and thumb safety. difficult to obtain, the U.S. government Receiving that pistol was an awkward restoration if it will devalue the firearm or purchased the equipment already in the surprise and an honor that I didn’t take if the firearm carries special provenance. learn afterward that the Remington was factory for this purpose. lightly. I couldn’t disrespect his gesture, Turnbull keeps an incredible amount of nicer than mine.” Production of the Remington UMC but I didn’t know how to respond, so I coveted resources secured in a vault, and finally began in April 1918, but the first simply replied, “It’s a privilege, sir.” before work can begin they have to know THE REMINGTON UMC STORY pistols were not completed until August. I had come in contact with only a few what they’re working with. To support anticipated needs of the Great On December 17, 1918, just four months of these Remington UMCs in my life, “We have literature that gives all the War, Remington UMC was awarded a after those pistols were completed and and this example had the lowest serial descriptions, years and details as to what contract on December 29, 1917, for the a month after the armistice, the U.S. number I’d seen. Based on records, the parts should look like,” says Schill. manufacture of 150,000 Model 1911 pis- government suspended the contract. number 644 was produced in October “Then we have a timeline on the serial tols. On March 21, 1918, a new contract Though the needs of World War I had 1918 (along with 4,145 others). To me numbers, which serves as a language for was issued to Remington for 500,000 come to an end, manufacture of Reming- what makes number 644 particularly polishers.” pistols, replacing the previous contract. ton’s .45 continued until May 1919. The special is that it was a part of the last Each restoration spends a Remington’s 1911s never achieved an contract called for 21,513 of these Model known batches to be delivered to the U.S. great deal of time studying the unique acceptable degree of interchangeability 1911s to be produced, but 163 pistols were government ahead of World War I’s end characteristics associated with a specific with other 1911s, but nevertheless they delivered after the contract settlement on November 18th. serial number and what part styles or were well-made, first-class pistols. was met in February 1919. In April, 160 He didn’t ask, but during my next marks were used in the original construc- Colt was to provide drawings, sample additional pistols were delivered and visit I prompted a discussion about the tion. Turnbull’s research of Remington pistols and gauges, but the first set of three more in May. Final production idea of me sending his brother’s 1911 to UMC number 644 revealed that an drawings from Colt were incorrect. of the Remington UMC Model 1911 Doug Turnbull for restoration. Would incorrect 1911A1 barrel and an incor- Gauges never arrived, and the first Colt totaled 21,676. he mind if I altered the appearance of rect Colt thumb safety were installed. drawings only illustrated flat, nominal his brother’s pistol? An approving grin Unfortunately, there was no association dimensions—without tolerances. Joe AN HONORABLE PLEDGE appeared to grow through his thick, long with a significant historical figure. Poyer, author of “The Model 1911 and Forgotten by all but Jim, Remington white beard. And with his blessing I Even through World War II and the Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial UMC serial number 644 remained hidden shipped it to Turnbull’s shop in Bloom- years leading up to Steve’s death, this Pistols,” writes, “Accurate production in a black U.S.-marked holster among ton- field, New York. pistol was never fielded in combat and drawings were not necessary at Colt be- nage and dust beneath his home for more appears to have served stateside personnel cause their pistols were ‘manufactured by than 40 years. My friendship and sincere WHERE OLD BECOMES NEW in administrative and law enforcement building our Open Range revolvers. Your veteran machinists who were proficient in interest in his family history brought a The pistol arrived at Turnbull’s and was functions. Considering its condition, 1911 is a nice change of pace because it’s all of Colt’s production methods.’” Colt once-in-a-lifetime opportunity my way. As carefully scrutinized before I received the this Remington UMC was the ideal a completely different animal. Unlike sent a second set of drawings, but these, he sat in his chair one evening and looked call to discuss my intentions. The project candidate for a Turnbull restoration. So I a single action that stretches the gun in too, proved unusable. me over with an intimidating stare, I knew was assigned to Karl Schill, a gunsmith authorized work to begin. every direction each time it’s fired, the By direction, three Colt Government the words about to roll off Jim’s lips were who has been working with Doug for the “We have guys that work on rifles and 1911 lends itself incredibly well to restora- Model pistols were issued to Remington, going to be serious. last 17 years. His personal interest lies shotguns,” Schill says, “but I’m typically tion. If the barrel is shot out or the link

8 BOOK OF THE 1911 GUNSANDAMMO.COM 9 A BROTHER’S KEEPER

doesn’t function properly, it can easily be good news is that so many 1911s were replaced. It’s a really neat gun. We work made that you can still find small parts if on a lot of arsenal-refinished pistols, a you’re willing to dig.” number of them Frankenstein monsters with the wrong parts throughout. The CORRECTNESS arsenal rebuilds that we look at now were “You have to really work on many 1911s just an old gun back then. The armorers for years and years to recognize all of the didn’t give too much thought to using nuances between a Colt and a Rem- incorrect parts. Their job was just to ington,” says Schill. “The components make it shoot. This Remington was in between the two are almost the same, and better condition than a lot of the 1911s for the most part it’s just the markings that come through, though, and I don’t and where they are located that make a really see that many Remingtons being difference. The diamond checkering on restored.” the grips are different, for example. We It wasn’t until the movie “Saving have a guy who makes those grips, and Private Ryan” that Americans began they are perfect.” viewing firearms like the Model 1911 as The walnut stocks on a Remington war relics and made efforts to preserve UMC feature a truncated diamond originality and condition. pattern where the top diamond averaged “I’ve really seen attitudes change since .59 inch wide and 1.26 inches long from I first started,” says Schill. “People were the top to bottom. The bottom truncated rabidly against restoring anything. From diamond averaged .57 inch wide, and my own experiences, when someone has 1.08 inches long. For comparison, a Colt’s buffed the finish off and hot blued one walnut stocks would feature diamonds of these, how can you not justify a that had top and bottom diamonds aver- restoration? If you’re going to be true aging .62 inch wide and 1.28 inches high. to the form, these pieces of history Colt-manufactured stocks had 20 full definitely deserve a second chance.” raised diamonds across their width, while Gunsmiths assigned to a project the Remington UMC-manufactured will do their best to keep a 1911 like stocks had 21 diamonds for its horizon- this one as completely original as tal count. Differences are subtle, but possible, but in many cases they find Turnbull looks out for these details when that something has been fitted with creating new parts. incorrect parts or has to be repaired If an original part is correct but has mechanically. Turnbull maintains an textured surfaces that are worn (i.e., slide awe-inspiring collection of original parts serrations, -spur checkering, gathered in various methods since Doug etc.), Turnbull restorers won’t change opened shop in the early ’80s. When the the number of checkered diamonds or gun store that Turnbull serviced went serrations. Though historical references out of business, he received a lot of the serve as a guide to what should be on parts they had on hand, but he didn’t a particular gun, an original part may stop there. Opportunities to obtain any display slight variations. quantity of original parts are becoming “When it comes to serrations and harder to come by, but for Turnbull’s checkering on an original part that we team it’s a never-ending search. know to be correct, we don’t change the “I know that for a while we could number. We’ll just take what’s there and go to gun shows and pick up original recut them.” magazines by the box,” says Schill. “We With the Remington UMC I sent in, have a drawer full of them with price tags I included a two-tone magazine that was and stickers that indicate those times heavily spotted with rust. I wasn’t sure were really, really long ago. Working on that it was even correct and wouldn’t have a recent project with Cylinder & Slide been surprised if 644 had been given a has been helpful because those parts they random magazine at some point during make are painstakingly accurate. The its service life. The absence of a lanyard

10 BOOK OF THE 1911 A BROTHER’S KEEPER loop that I typically see with World War MARKED PARTS I-era 1911s was a bit peculiar, but Schill confirmed that the magazine was correct. E.E.C. Pre-World War II Model 1911s featured The Ordnance Engineering Division approved the use of Army Inspector of Ordnance ini- a magazine of four types. Type 1, 2 and tials on Remington UMC Model 1911s, a departure from the established procedures in 3 each featured a lanyard loop, but Type 1918 to 1919. Consequently, these pistols are stamped 1 E.E.C. (Edmund E. Chapman, 4 did not. Like the Type 3 magazine, the Major) in addition to 2 eagle’s head inspection marks. These eagle’s head marks repre- sented the final inspection by the Ordnance Department’s Inspection Division. Type 4 had a folded and welded body with rounded corners on top. The two- SN tone appearance comes from a magazine Remington UMC did not print a serial number prefix. 3 Serial numbers were stamped after bluing. As a result, the inside of the numbers are usually bright or burnished. Fading of the that was dipped in cyanide to harden the bluing around the numbers is usually noticeable. lips and improve functional reliability. SLIDE MARKINGS As production of 1911s increased in 1918, The 4 slide markings on the Remington UMC follow the Ordnance Department guidelines the location of the two-tone line became with the Colt patent dates on the left side of the slide separated by the Remington UMC inconsistent and appeared both above logo and the company address. and below the magazine catch slot. A letter 5 “E” was marked in the hammer recess above the firing-pin stop plate from the beginning of production to about serial number 15,000. “E” stood for Walter H. Evans. GOOSE LOOSE This inspection mark is also found on the upper left side of the triggerguard and at the bottom of the magazine housing in the same serial number range. For what they were designed to do, combat tolerances were more than ARMY INSPECTOR OF ORDNANCE MARKING Two U.S. Army inspectors were assigned to Remington UMC during 1911 production: satisfactory for a 1911 to perform well. “L.E.B.” represented Capt. Leroy E. Briggs (March to August 1918) and “E.E.C.” repre- Turnbull tries to duplicate the factory’s sented Maj. Edmund E. Chapman (August 1918 to May 1919). best known effort in terms of fit. If The 2 eagle head marking was the final inspection stamp found on Remington UMC something like the rear of the slide wasn’t pistols. The eagle head is raised vertically and placed behind the trigger above the maga- at least somewhat blended to the back of zine catch. the frame, many customers wouldn’t be UNITED STATES PROPERTY happy. The trick for Turnbull is not going 6 Stamped in the same san serif letters as other markings on the Remington UMC is the over the line and creating the appear- property marking on the left side of the receiver ahead of the slide stop pinhole. ance of a custom gun. The gunsmiths at PROOFMARKS Turnbull don’t spend their time making Barrels manufactured for the Remington UMC Model 1911 were marked with a “P” for proof on the right side of the lug from the beginning of production to about serial num- slides tight to the frames for Bullseye ber 1,000. Afterward, the “P” proofmark was moved to the top of the barrel along the shooting, but in many cases they must centerline. reverse a 1911 that’s been altered for match shooting. “It’s not uncommon to see one that was set up for Bullseye shooting,” says Schill. “Often, we have to fabricate an original front sight to replace an OEM part we 4 might not have in stock. Whenever pos- sible, however, we’ll work with original parts we have on hand.” 6 Much attention is given to components 5 1 dealing with reliable ignition, extraction 2 and ejection. The location where the firing pin strikes the primer is critical, and many untrained attempts to repair 6 a tired extractor by bending it places 3 too much tension on the part. If a 1911 isn’t feeding correctly, that’s usually the culprit.

5 MAKING EDGES Once the pistol is mechanically sound and correct, Turnbull gunsmiths focus

12 BOOK OF THE 1911 A BROTHER’S KEEPER

their attention on the shapes always on making the The two-tone appearance seen on early 1911 magazines was the and edges that have been worn in the last product look like what result of dipping a fully blued century. it’s supposed to.” magazine body into cyanide. The cyanide removed the bluing but “The first thing I do if there are any Before a lot of the final hardened the feed lips. bad spots,” says Schill, “is prepare to polishing can be applied, weld metal. Your Remington didn’t need Mike Knowles does the it, but it’s important to get the edges on a refreshed back to where they were before. The surface. From a towering inside of the triggerguard and the trig- wall of roll stamp dies, a challenge. The most interest- gerguard bow are usually the place for he picks the appropriate ing gun I get to work on is the a lot of wear, and a little more attention Remington UMC off next one.” is required to these areas to safely bring the wall and inserts it into Having Doug Turnbull’s back the surface edge.” the stamping press. He then shop restore a pistol in this With metal repaired, stones, files places the slide in a fixture to condition typically costs and polishing paper are brought out to properly locate the impression about $2,500 and takes recreate a factory edge and recut serra- and pulls the lever that presses six to eight months before tions or checkering. Schill uses only one the die onto the slide with 20 its return. It’s the only particular for each job and discards pounds of pressure as the slide restoration service that small strips of polishing paper once the rolls from one side to the can actually add value to file starts to collect debris. other. The location and depth an otherwise average 1911 “The file I used to recut the serrations of the stamped mark does not lacking provenance. A Turnbull- is only used for cutting serrations,” says change, and Turnbull’s gunsmiths make restored Remington UMC recently sold Schill. “I’m very careful on how I use ink pulls of each original mark to ensure for $8,500. My father once told me that it. Only cut on the front stroke. Don’t that it’s placed back in the exact location something is only worth what someone draw it back. If you use a file to cut the it originally appeared. was willing to give for it. When you direction it was intended, clean it with With the polishing complete and the consider that Turnbull has a hard time a file card and care for it, it should last marking reapplied, Turnbull applies keeping any inventory of these restored indefinitely.” the bluing by the same methods as Colt 1911s in stock, contrary to what some of that era. The exact formula for the might believe, supply and demand FINISHING TOUCHES bone charcoal blue process is a closely continues to be indicative of these pistols’ Of Turnbull’s staff, only three gunsmiths held secret that’s attracted the business actual value. actually work on restoring handguns, of other 1911 manufacturers such as Jim trusted me with the care of his and it’s not a job a new gunsmith out of Cylinder & Slide, Kimber, Wilson brother’s beloved .45. The act of present- school falls into. When you’re in school Combat—and yes, even Colt. ing it to me was one I could never forget, to become a gunsmith, there isn’t much and perhaps it was a way for him to opportunity to build experience to draw COCKED AND LOCKED release the memory of a young man he from. Each member of Turnbull’s restora- Once a restoration is complete, the gun- still looks up to. Upon receipt of this 1911 tion team has been restoring pistols for smith will put a magazine of 230-grain from Turnbull, I decided that the only quite a while. New gunsmiths typi- ball through it to ensure that it properly right thing to do was dutifully return it cally start working on Turnbull’s line of functions and is safe to operate. This to his family in hopes that it would be production guns, which gives them a lot Remington UMC functioned well and kept in the family. The highly anticipated of repetitive practice and the experience knocked over a few bowling pins behind event gave me witness to tears of prideful they need to eventually grow into the Turnbull’s shop in the process. joy. “I wish you could have known him restoration side of Turnbull’s operation. “I really enjoy the historical aspect of Eric,” Jim said. “I’ve probably polished out 10,000 restoring a 1911 like this Remington,” Sir, it would have been an honor. guns,” say Schill. You get to a point that says Schill. “It’s really gratifying to work you’re comfortable with what you’re on something that had a role in serving Often seen wearing his signature black doing and can make it profitable for our nation. We’ll occasionally get a call bowler hat, Doug the business. A 1911 is not as conducive or a letter that really expresses a client’s Turnbull is a recogniz- able figure who is to a belt [sander] as other guns can be. emotional appreciation for something dedicated to the With the 1911, there is a lot of focus and they thought was in a hopeless state. I faithful and accurate restoration of vintage time required because there are several take it upon myself that I don’t want this firearms. different ways to polish a part depending to be my job. These pistols mean some- on the manufacturer. Our emphasis is thing to someone, though every project is

14 BOOK OF THE 1911