Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
It has often been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
There was a time, maybe 40-50 years ago, when a 1911 pistol would almost certainly have been manufactured by Colt, Springfield Armory (the U.S. government armory not the company) or one of the WWI, or WWII contractors such as Ithaca or Remington-Rand.
Sure, there were also licensed copies produced in Norway and Argentina for their respective militaries but that was about it.
When the U.S.A. wasn’t engaged in one of the world wars, Colt made models of the 1911 pistol for commercial sales in the civilian market. In the U.S.A., say 50 years ago; 1911 pistols in civilian circulation were likely either commercial models made by Colt, or former military pistols that had been deemed surplus or otherwise “separated” from their governmental owners.
There were gunsmiths and outfitters that made or modified a few parts for 1911 pistols. Oversized match barrels, lighter triggers, sights, specialized hammers, and sears, etc. could be purchased and fitted.
Then something extraordinary occurred, commercial 1911 style pistols began to be mass produced by other makers. Randall made all stainless steel 1911 models, Detonics made the Combat Master, a cut down 1911 and the Score Master, a full-sized pistol. AMT made a 1911 knock-off with a long slide. Auto-Ordinance got in the game. Springfield Armory – the private Company, appeared on the scene.
By the late 1990’s you could buy a brand new 1911 pistol that came out of the box with whatever combination of features you wanted. And it didn’t have to be made by Colt or some former government contractor. Companies like Kimber and Les Baer made match pistols. Asian companies began making inexpensive 1911 copies. Well established companies like Ruger and SIG started making their own versions of John Browning’s design. I can’t begin to list all the versions of the 1911 but I can say the field expanded greatly and shows little sign of shrinking.
The design is mature. All the quirks, tricks, and hacks have been well sorted out. Sure, the patents have long expired, but companies don’t make something just because they can – they make something because there is a demand for it.
Every now and then, something remarkable appears on the scene. The basic layout of a pick-up truck hasn’t changed in over 90 years. Sedans and hatchbacks exist because people find them useful. The cheap ball point pen has yet to be replaced. Not every smart phone is an Apple product, but they all have touch screens, cameras, and lots of memory for data.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
There was a time, maybe 40-50 years ago, when a 1911 pistol would almost certainly have been manufactured by Colt, Springfield Armory (the U.S. government armory not the company) or one of the WWI, or WWII contractors such as Ithaca or Remington-Rand.
Sure, there were also licensed copies produced in Norway and Argentina for their respective militaries but that was about it.
When the U.S.A. wasn’t engaged in one of the world wars, Colt made models of the 1911 pistol for commercial sales in the civilian market. In the U.S.A., say 50 years ago; 1911 pistols in civilian circulation were likely either commercial models made by Colt, or former military pistols that had been deemed surplus or otherwise “separated” from their governmental owners.
There were gunsmiths and outfitters that made or modified a few parts for 1911 pistols. Oversized match barrels, lighter triggers, sights, specialized hammers, and sears, etc. could be purchased and fitted.
Then something extraordinary occurred, commercial 1911 style pistols began to be mass produced by other makers. Randall made all stainless steel 1911 models, Detonics made the Combat Master, a cut down 1911 and the Score Master, a full-sized pistol. AMT made a 1911 knock-off with a long slide. Auto-Ordinance got in the game. Springfield Armory – the private Company, appeared on the scene.
By the late 1990’s you could buy a brand new 1911 pistol that came out of the box with whatever combination of features you wanted. And it didn’t have to be made by Colt or some former government contractor. Companies like Kimber and Les Baer made match pistols. Asian companies began making inexpensive 1911 copies. Well established companies like Ruger and SIG started making their own versions of John Browning’s design. I can’t begin to list all the versions of the 1911 but I can say the field expanded greatly and shows little sign of shrinking.
The design is mature. All the quirks, tricks, and hacks have been well sorted out. Sure, the patents have long expired, but companies don’t make something just because they can – they make something because there is a demand for it.
Every now and then, something remarkable appears on the scene. The basic layout of a pick-up truck hasn’t changed in over 90 years. Sedans and hatchbacks exist because people find them useful. The cheap ball point pen has yet to be replaced. Not every smart phone is an Apple product, but they all have touch screens, cameras, and lots of memory for data.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
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