Dug relic 1911 restoration (Pics and Video)

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Awesome! I loved the added commentary video, instantly one of my absolute all-time favorite youtube videos. Such glorious footage and your insights really make it so fascinating. I vote best THR thread I've seen since I joined.

So do you have a hypothetical price in mind for hypothetical custom Ajax22 1911 antiquing services? :D:D:D
I'd love to get a RIA or Parkered Cimarron (for that early 1911 style, still Armscor) and send it to you when I can save up the $$$
Thank you so much for documenting and sharing this.
 
I'll antique one for free... If you send me two ;) (I want yo do one for myself first to make sure my process is perfect)
 
My wife wants to know how accurate it is (after seeing the video, and remembering what it looked like before)! Have you shot it that way yet?
 
My wife wants to know how accurate it is (after seeing the video, and remembering what it looked like before)! Have you shot it that way yet?

I haven't seriously tried for accuracy yet.. seems to put lead in the correct general direction....

My buddy hit the bowling pin at 75 feet he was pointing at on the 2nd round...

so.... seems to be about what you'd expect from a 1911 that is in dire need of a trigger job.
 
Still photos man, still photos!!

Well lit please!!

You mention in the video and I was thinking of it previously that you already have a textured front strap there!
 
Thanks. I knew you replaced the barrel, and that all of the exterior wear probably didn't affect accuracy, but I didn't want to assume anything, or confuse her with those facts, so I figured I'd just ask.
 
I am nearly 60 years old, and 'awesome' is rarely a part of my vocabulary, but this thread is AWESOME!

I am not sure how I missed it originally, but I just spent a Sunday afternoon following it one page and one video at a time. On so many levels this was wonderful. Watching a guy in his bare feet patiently working through the evolution of the electrolysis project and the penetrant soaked disassembly of this pistol was the internet at its best. I hope you do not mind that I have saved the picture of the completed 1911 to use with my computer's screensaver.

AJAX22, there is no way you can imagine how many people you have truly inspired with your seemingly quixotic quest. Your 'Dug relic 1911 restoration' stood as an iconic internet experience for many of us before you ever left home with the pistol. The ultimate successful firing and high speed video footage are the stuff of dreams.

Thank you!

This line from a genuine, humble, and truly gifted artist made me smile even more at the end:

I'll antique one for free... If you send me two ;)
 
I want to throw a guess on the fired case and cocked hammer.

Skeeter Skelton told the story about how he had a 1911 during the War and was shooting scrounged WWII steel cased ammo through it. The steel case did a number on his extractor, causing premature wear, and one day he had a similar problem - gun went bang but wouldn't strip the fired case from the barrel.

Using Skelton's experience, how about this theory: the shooter was in a hurry, trying to return fire. His gun fired but now won't fire. He tries a tap-rack-bang drill to no success - dang thing just will not fire. He checked the chamber and the *&^% case is still stuck in there. Maybe he let the slide run forward; maybe not but I can see him chucking the gun out a window (winder) while zipping down a road. If the slide was locked back, the impact knocks it free and back into battery. The spot-welded magazine breaks loose, either from impact or from corrosion/rust, and the additional rounds, along with the mag follower, having fallen away from the "protection" offered by the frame, rust away. The grips rot away, too. Decades later, it's discovered and now lovingly restored.

I would go this route instead of fire.

Q
 
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Found some melted lead in the sludge when I was cleaning up...

Guess she was exposed to fire at some point.
 
Pulls trigger, no bang.

Cocks hammer again, no time.

"$#0@+" *tosses gun*

The fire later discharges the round with a bad primer?

Still love this thread. So many unknown stories!
 
Bootlegger involved in car chase with revenuer.

Bootlegger crashes. Gun falls to the floor. Car/moonshine catch fire. Car burns up. Gun goes through burned out floor board. Burned out car frame is hauled away, gun is missed.

Ajax, were you ever able to get a hold of the hardness testing equipment?
 
Remarkable story of restoration! Been following this thread since it began and I can't believe what you were able to achieve, simply amazing!
 
Now I want a rusty gun! Great project, and thank you for sharing it. I'm looking forward to the serial numbers and some more history being revealed.

I'd rather have an old rusted gun than a new rusted gun... Maybe I'll plant one in the garden next spring, and dig it up in 50 years...
 
Now I want a rusty gun! Great project, and thank you for sharing it. I'm looking forward to the serial numbers and some more history being revealed.

I'd rather have an old rusted gun than a new rusted gun... Maybe I'll plant one in the garden next spring, and dig it up in 50 years...

I've got a line on a Charter Arms .38 that should be a fun restoration...

Its actually kind of hard to find a rusty semi auto.... lots of seized revolvers out there kicking around though.
 
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