Just read a magazine article reviewing an imported 1911 pistol. In it, the author mentioned that a family member had fought in the Philippine Insurrection and had told him stories about how the 1911 was "frequently" used on charging Moros.
Of course, the Philippine Insurrection ended in 1902, 9 years before the initial adoption of the 1911, 10 years before Colt delivered the first order of 1911 pistols to the government. But the author is pretty obviously really talking about the Moro rebellion which extended until June of 1913.
Colt didn't start delivering pistols until the 2nd quarter of 1912, and none of the pistols made it to the Philippines until some time mid 1913--exact dates are not clear.
Some sources indicate that at least some 1911 pistols were used during the 4 day Battle of Bud-Bagsak that ended the Moro Rebellion, but there is nothing official to confirm that and other information suggests that the first shipment could not have arrived in time to be used. At this time it appears that there's no clear answer one way or the other, but it's clear that if they were used, it was only in the final 4 days of fighting.
Anyway, while it's possible (though debatable) that 1911 pistols might have made it to the Philippines in time to actually be used in fighting, and, if that's true, that means a 1911 could have actually been used to shoot a Moro before the end of the rebellion, the idea that it was used "frequently" to shoot charging Moros is clearly not based in fact.
But in spite of the facts, the author of the article is probably a 1911 fan/.45ACP fan for life, and his story will probably convince others.
To be clear, I'm not saying that all people who prefer the 1911 don't know the facts, or that the only way someone could like the .45ACP is if they don't know history. I'm just saying that this is clearly ONE way people form preferences--and that it's not a good way to form them.
Of course, the Philippine Insurrection ended in 1902, 9 years before the initial adoption of the 1911, 10 years before Colt delivered the first order of 1911 pistols to the government. But the author is pretty obviously really talking about the Moro rebellion which extended until June of 1913.
Colt didn't start delivering pistols until the 2nd quarter of 1912, and none of the pistols made it to the Philippines until some time mid 1913--exact dates are not clear.
Some sources indicate that at least some 1911 pistols were used during the 4 day Battle of Bud-Bagsak that ended the Moro Rebellion, but there is nothing official to confirm that and other information suggests that the first shipment could not have arrived in time to be used. At this time it appears that there's no clear answer one way or the other, but it's clear that if they were used, it was only in the final 4 days of fighting.
Anyway, while it's possible (though debatable) that 1911 pistols might have made it to the Philippines in time to actually be used in fighting, and, if that's true, that means a 1911 could have actually been used to shoot a Moro before the end of the rebellion, the idea that it was used "frequently" to shoot charging Moros is clearly not based in fact.
But in spite of the facts, the author of the article is probably a 1911 fan/.45ACP fan for life, and his story will probably convince others.
To be clear, I'm not saying that all people who prefer the 1911 don't know the facts, or that the only way someone could like the .45ACP is if they don't know history. I'm just saying that this is clearly ONE way people form preferences--and that it's not a good way to form them.