Long gone 1911

[Grayrock]

I'm trying to locate a 1911 style Colt .45ACP that was stolen from my dad many years ago. It was stolen in about 1969 in the San Antonio, Texas area. All I remember about it was that it was nickel plated and had some engraving. It was presented to my godfather, Col. Hugh Fitzgerald, who subsequently gave the gun to his law partner, my father. The engraving presumably says something about being presented to Col. Fitzgerald. I vaguely remember it having light colored grips (ivory perhaps?) I also believe it was a full size model. I am hoping it has had enough time to go thru several pawn shops and end up in someone's collection looking for a story to go along with the engraving. Does anybody have any suggestions on trying to track down this heirloom? I thought it would be nice to surprise my dad if I could locate it, by some miracle.

Thank you for any assistance.

George Gray

 

[Triad]

You might try Colt's Historical Services. They may be able to help you if the custom work was done by Colt. That's the only thing I can think of, but others may have more ideas. I wish you luck.

 

[Jim K]

You could report it to the police as stolen, but after all this time I think that your report would probably go in the circular file. The only benefit might be that if the gun turns up in a crime (again very unlikely at this late date), you would get it back rather than its being destroyed.

Any serious report or search would have to start with the complete identification and the serial number, plus a full description of the engraving. It does not seem you have any of that information, so it might be hard to prove ownership even if the gun did turn up.

Jim

 

[Grayrock]

A police report was filed with full description the day it happened. But then again, that was about 30 years ago!! I know it's a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try- especially with the power of the internet at my fingertips now.

George

 

[cratz2]

Like the bumper sticker says, Mean People Suck!

Good luck finding your stolen property.

 

[stans]

If it has not turned up in 30 years, I would say it is probably rusting away at the bottom of a river, lake, or sewer. I don't think stolen handguns have much of a market in the legitimate firearms trade business. Most end up being sold in back alleys, used to commit crimes, then disposed of when the heat is on.

 

[dfariswheel]

Stolen guns do get dumped a lot, but GOOD guns, especially expensive or fancy guns often wind up in somebodies gun case. Often they never know it's hot.

I'd suggest trying to find the serial number of the gun, possibly from the original police report, and making SURE it's listed with the Fed's (NCIS)??. If anybody ever sells it, and it gets run for a check, it'll turn up.

I'd be surprised if a nickle plated, engraved, and ivory stocked 1911 got dumped in a river. I'd bet it's still out there.

 

[Sisco]

An Uncle of mine had three or four rifles stolen, one of them a 03A3 with a cracked stock.
Some twenty years later the 03 turned up in a Denver pawn shop and he got it back. It had been sporterized, nice walnut stock and a Leupold scope mounted on it.

 

[Grayrock]

Thanks for all the comments. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

George

 

[Hoss1951]

Miracles do happen!

In 1974 I had about 30 guns stolen from me. Last June The son of one of the fellows that I suspected of stealing them gave me a carcano carbine that was one of the guns stolen. I had my intials under the butt plates of all the long guns, when I removed the but plate there they were. The young man told me he got it from his dad when he pasted away. I asked the boys mother about it and she told me her husband sold a lot of guns back then but nobody wanted the little rifle she called it. and it was put in a closet and forgotten about until he died. She also knew that her husband stole the guns but said she did not know who from.

 

[stans]

She also knew that her husband stole the guns but said she did not know who from.

Does she know that could make her an accessory to the crime? Let's see, theft, possession of stolen goods, selling stolen goods, if she lied to the police that could be obstruction. That could be a lot of jail time, if she knew and said nothing or lied. Wonder what the statute of limitations is on such crimes?

 

[BilltheCat]

I'm pretty sure 30 years would cover it. The guy is free and clear- and dead of course.