Books: Looking for a good history of the development/evolution of the 1911

[BHPshooter]

I have recently re-read an excellent book that I own, called "The Browning High Power Pistols," by R. Blake Stevens. The book is quite possibly the best piece of firearms-related reading that I have ever laid eyes on. It obviously is focused on the FN Hi Power, but it covers its prototypes, the developmental steps that it took, the reasons that led to its development, the gov't/military trials that it took part in, and evolution from its early design to today's HP.

I'd like to find something like that, but which focuses on the 1911's history. Can anyone recommend one, and possibly point me to where it can be purchased?

Wes

 

[BigG]

This is the best one I know, more of a general auto pistol text, but the Colt 45 development is pretty good. Nowhere near as intense as an R. Blake Stevens treatment, but I don't know that there is such a thing about the 1911.

Textbook of Automatic Pistols

 

[Bill73]

Colt .45 service pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1 : complete military history, development, and production 1900 through 1945 : plus foreign pistols, ... cartridge development, and much more................

by Charles W Clawson

$820/$1076 used condition
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/of...ef=sr_pb_a//104-9495867-3938334?condition=all

 

[Old Fuff]

Bill73:

Admitedly that is a good book, probably the best. But $820 to $1,076 is well ... probably a little much for The Fumegator.

Anyway, if your interested in history rather then technical, see if you can find a more affordable copy of: "Handguns of the World" by Edward C. Ezell. Within its almost 700 pages it covers the background and development of many popular handguns, largely those used by various military forces.

Edited to add: www.amazon.com should have used copies, they might have new ones.

 

[BHPshooter]

Admitedly that is a good book, probably the best. But $820 to $1,076 is well ... probably a little much for The Fumegator.

How did you guess?

Yep, that's a little too rich for me. Not to sound like a whiner, but for that chunk of change, I'd MUCH rather have a gun or two.

Wes

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I'd like to find something like that, but which focuses on the 1911's history. Can anyone recommend one, and possibly point me to where it can be purchased?

The Government Models by William H. D. Goddard

Also, log onto www.m1911.org -- from the home page, click the upper of the two links to take you to the reference side (the other link is to the forums). From the technical home page, on the left sidebar is a link to "Literature." That will list just about every book available on the 1911.