Documented Firearms

We thank our previous clients who graciously allowed us to display their prized possessions on our website.

We furnished the documentation, and they provided pictures so we could better show one of the missions of Archival Research Group

We are deeply grateful to all those who contributed. Your trust and support mean the world to us. Thank you very much!

M1911 Serial Number 110,653 Documented to the W. W. Millard, 31st Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, Siberia in 1919.

Now this is exciting!
A M1911 pistol documented to the AEF in Siberia.
This pistol is documented to 2nd Lt. Wallace W. Millard of the 31st Infantry in 1919. He would later rise to the rank of full Colonel.
There are lots of videos and articles on these pistols, particularly their ornate carved grips. Sometimes other items that accompany the pistols help identify who carried these pistols.
With Archival Research Group, you can get something much more concrete, in this case, an invoice from the Archives at College Park, Maryland, from within the World War I, AEF records.
This invoice slip provided the owner with the name of the person who carried this pistol over 100 years ago, and he was able to dive deeper into the soldier’s story. Now the pistol’s story goes beyond conjecture and takes on a bit of the personality based on the original soldier’s story.
Martain Callahan Collection – Thanks for the photos Martin as well as the additional information you were able to dig up!
(Martin Callahan Collection)

M1911 Serial Number 2,007,992  National Match sold through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship

Another service we offer to our subscribers is filing a FOIA on their behalf.
We used to do it for anyone but it became too demanding we had to roll it back. Even then we can’t do it all the time the requests would be overwhelming, we have to be somewhat selective.
The owner was curious about the history so we tried to help out. Turns out the FOIA rendered a ticket from TACOM showing its disposition as a M1911A1 National Match.
Is that sort of paperwork a game changer for you?
We provided a research letter for the owner.
Thanks for supporting us!
(Heriberto Colonlopez collection)

M1911 Serial Number 77,420 documented to Oak Ridge, Tennessee “Manhattan District”

Here, we have a beautiful M1911 produced by Springfield Armory.
Our general rule of thumb is that for a military service firearm to generate paperwork, it must be used like any other tool. With that, “Pretty and Papered” rarely match up.
This example proves to be an exception to the rule.
This pistol was found in a letter from Army Corps of Engineers Major R. H. McLeod at Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Manhattan District). He informed the Chief of Ordnance that a Springfield Armory Model 1911 bearing serial number 77,420 was confiscated from Walter Wyatt. He requests any further details the office has on this pistol. The Chief of Ordnance replied that the only records they had on that particular serial number were that it was shipped from Springfield Armory to the State of Oklahoma on September 17, 1914. Major McLeod did not request shipping orders or instructions, and the Chief of Ordnance did not issue any. The pistol was likely retained at Oak Ridge. Unfortunately, several Walter Wyatts were found in the vicinity of Oak Ridge during the 1940s and 1950s, and we were unable to find additional information that may indicate the circumstances of the confiscation. However, it is worth noting that Oak Ridge played a pivotal role in history, as it was the site chosen by the U.S. Army for developing materials for the Manhattan Project.
The pistol is simply stunning.
(Rob Greer collection.)

M1911 Serial Number 52,520 Documented to the U.S. Army recruiting station in Hutchinson, Kansas and reported to be recovered from a police raid on migrant track laborers.

On its surface, it was a rather lackluster citation.
“52520 110916 RECRUITING STA, HUTCHINSON, KAN”
After we pulled it, it turned out to be rather interesting.
Sgt Sergeant Ezekiel Bowen of the U.S. Army Recruiting Office in Hutchinson, Kansas, reported that pistol 91,21x was recovered in a police raid on immigrant track laborers. There was a series of correspondence with various Ordnance Officers to determine when and where the pistol was initially shipped so they could determine where it should be returned.
On the final endorsement, the pistol in question, serial number 91,21x, was found to have been obtained by the Captain at that recruiting station, and he allowed Sgt. Bowen to retain it for advertising. It turned out that Sgt. Bowen reported that his own lawfully obtained pistol was recovered as stolen government property. This mistake happened because he had forgotten the actual serial number of his own pistol.
It turns out serial number 52,520 was the pistol recovered during the police raid. We have attached a newspaper article detailing a police raid in May of that year. While not definitively the same event, it does appear to match the circumstances and timeframe of the raid in question.
We also can’t imagine the conversation that occurred behind closed doors between Sgt. Bowen and his Captain.
We never would’ve had this story from the citation alone, which is why the primary sources are essential to any story.
(Lucas Keck Collection)

M1903 Serial Number 164,741 Documented to the former U.S. Consulate in Chungking, China.

Rifle 164741 was found in a report filed by Assistant Secretary Nelson T. Johnson of the State Department addressed to the Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis. Johnson informed Davis of the ordnance material formerly in the custody of the American Consulates of Changsha and Chungking, which were closed. This is likely a result of the Nanking Incident of 1927, where troops under the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) and local citizens began looting and attacking foreign interest buildings in the area, primarily British and American. The State Department likely closed these consulates for safety reasons and did not want army ordnance property to fall into the custody of the local population.

Rifle 164,741, was taken aboard the U.S.S. Monocacy, a navy shallow draft gunboat, to the port at Hankow and transferred to another navy gunboat, the U.S.S. Elcano, for further transport to Shanghai. This report serves as a transfer of custody for the State Department, informing the War Department of where the ordnance property was shipped after being removed from the closed consulates.

(Michael Dolfi Collection)

M1903 Serial Number 344,059 Documented to C.G. 243

M1903 with history to the United States Coast Guard.
Rifle 344,059 was mentioned in a report dated July 28, 1926, from the Office of the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard to the Commander of Base Section 6, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Commandant is contacting several units concerning various small arms discrepancies in their reports, noting that their office records do not correspond with the unit records and seeking clarification. Rifle 344,059 is listed as associated with Coast Guard 243. The final disposition of the discrepancy is not mentioned within this file.
C.G. 243, a class of 75-foot patrol boats also known as “Six-Bitters,” were built between 1924 and 1925. These boats, which remained in service until 1946, were equipped with a propulsion system made of Twin Sterling 200HP 6-cyl engines, enabling them to reach a speed of 15 knots. In terms of armament, they were typically armed with a “1-pounder” gun and various small arms which included M1903 rifles, M1911 pistols, 38 caliber revolvers and Lewis machine guns. C.G. 243 was built by Gibb’s Gas Engine Company in Jacksonville, Florida. It is listed as destroyed on October 23, 1931, and the cause is not noted.
Scott Martin collection

M1903 Special Target Serial Number 1,269,271

Model: Rifle, U.S., cal. .30 M1903 Star Gauged Special Target Rifle

Sold to: Kowa Rifle Club, Kowa Kansas

(This is likely a spelling error done by the armory employee. It likely was sold to the Kiowa Rifle Club in Kiowa, KS)

Date: June 19, 1926

David Tottleben Collection

M1903 National Match (used) Serial Number 1,497,403

Sold to: Mr. W. W. Britt

Address: 6 Alice, Wheeling West Virginia
Date: September 15, 1937

Gabriel Tomelloso collection

M1903 NRA Sporting Rifle Serial Number 1,356,038

Sold to: G. H. Keirsted, Jr.
Address: 40 Hermam St. Uniontown, PA

Date: September 26, 1931

Gabriel Tomelloso collection.

 

M1873 Colt Single Action Army Serial Number 137,808 documented to the Spanish American War

This Colt Single Action Army, serial number 137,808, was issued to John M. Turrell while serving in the 3rd Company of the U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps. Archival records indicate John Turrell was a telegraph operator as his occupation. The Signal Corps required that wo-thirds of the officers and enlisted were skilled telegraphers and electricians.

John Milton Turrell was born on February 12, 1861, to Willard Turrell and Elizabeth Turrell in Medora, Indiana. He served two enlistments with the Signal Corps. His first enlistment was with the 14th Company U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps from June 23, 1898, to April 28, 1899. He reenlisted the same day, but this time, he enlisted with the 3rd Company U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps, and his enlistment expired on April 17, 1901. The Signal Corps 14th Company was recruited from Indianapolis, Indiana, and served with the 3rd Army Corps out of Camp Thomas, Georgia. The Signal Corps 3rd Company was recruited from Brooklyn, New York, and served with the 7th Army Corps from Jacksonville, Florida. John Turrell was serving as 1st Sergeant of the 3rd Company. He is described as 37 1/3 years of age, 5′ 8 ½”, fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He died on October 3, 1943, and is interned at Arlington Cemetery.

Thomas Knox collection

 

M1903 Springfield Serial Number 289751 Marine Corps issued

The old saying goes, “Every Marine is a rifleman,” and this rifle is a rifleman’s rifle. It was issued to Marine Murvin W. Oliver on September 5, 1930. He exchanged it for another rifle, which he turned into the Depot Quartermaster at San Diego, California.

This rifle exhibits numerous USMC rebuild characteristics, such as a punch mark in front of the receiver (which denotes passing the Rockwell Hardness Test), stippled butt-plate, USMC contract R.F. Sedgely replacement barrel, added gas escape hole (colloquially referred to as “Hatcher Hole” by collectors), and a tall sight hood, which the USMC manufactured to accommodate the taller USMC No. 10 sights.

It’s important to note that the Navy and Marine Corps records, including full personnel files on the individual Marine or Navy sailor, were untouched by the 1973 fire at the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri. This gives the rifle a deeply personal story, connecting us to the individual who once carried it.

Major Scott Holmes, USMC collection

M1898 Krag–Jørgensen Serial Number 146,895

This Krag was issued to Private Charles T. Cooley, Company K of the 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry.
It comprised 43 officers and 1,044 enlisted personnel, including Private Cooley. The 1st Maryland spent most of its time training at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. It had been planned that they would be sent to Puerto Rico, but the war ended before they could see combat.
Charles T. Cooley’s dedication to service continued. He transitioned to a new role, becoming the first Police Chief of Montgomery County, Maryland, a position he held from its formation on July 4, 1922. Below is a picture of Charles T. Cooley standing in front of his other officers.

George Owen collection

 

M1892 Krag–Jørgensen Serial Number 4085 to the 20th Kansas

This rifle is a mystery, and research is ongoing. It was apparently issued to “Hogan” of Company L of the 20th Kansas, but no “Hogan” can be found in the 20th Kansas. It may have been a transcription error; it was meant to enter “Hagen” for “Wyatt Hagen” of the same unit. The 20th Kansas was legendary for the combat experience it gained during the Philippine Insurrection. At the same time, it doesn’t specifically say whether this rifle saw combat. Given that it went to a battle-hardened unit, we are actively seeking to solve this mystery because we will be able to dive deeper into the service history of the soldier in question.

Stay tuned; as the situation develops, we will update this rifle’s information.

Major Scott Holmes, USMC collection

 

 

M1903 National Match Serial Number 1,266,598

Sold to Commander J. S. McCain, Executive Officer, U.S. Fleet, U.S.S. New Mexico, San Pedro, California on January 21, 1927.

This rifle was one of two purchased by the late Admiral on January 21, 1927. He was a prominent career Navy officer and the grandfather of the late U.S. Senator John McCain (AZ).

This rifle is absolutely stunning!

Kevin Blackhurst collection

Warner and Swasey Model of 1908 Telescopic Musket Sight Serial Number 729

This Warner and Swasey Model 1908 Musket Sight, a documented piece, stands as a truly rare find in the realm of military history and artifacts.

Representing a significant milestone, this is only the second time we have documented an artifact by serial number that is not a firearm. Notably, its documentation is not confined to a single location, but is spread across two esteemed National Archive sites: Archives I in Washington, D.C., and Archives II in College Park.

Unveiling a wealth of historical information, this artifact is accompanied by one of the most meticulously detailed reports we have encountered, bolstered by a trove of primary source documentation.

Unfortunately, the scope is not attached to the original rifle. The scope is mounted to rifle serial number 418,203. The rifle and scope came out of the George Moller collection. The present location of M1903, serial number 353,326, has yet to be discovered.

The first report indicates that 2nd Lt. Oscar Westover was in charge of conducting the test of the M1908 telescopic musket sights at Camp Bumpus. In his report, it is noted that 1st Sergeant Perry, Company A of the 14th Infantry, was the individual who tested the rifle 353,326 and scope number 729. Several infantry and cavalry units conducted field tests of the M1908 Warner Swasey telescopic sights. One of the more exciting comments mentioned in the report is that Lt. Westover notes that the test needed to be revised to establish the advantages and disadvantages of the scope, mainly because of how untrained the men in his unit were. He notes that men in his command were just out of rifle training, and the range firing was entirely new to them. He further states that he could conduct a more suitable test, such as three months if granted more time.

The second report from the Manila Ordnance Depot is dated January 19, 1917. In this report, Lt. Col. Hof was inspecting and shipping several rifles fitted with telescopic sights back to Springfield Armory because they were in unserviceable condition. He notes that several were covered with moisture, dirt, or paint plates and wrapped in paper. He informs the Chief of Ordnance that they will be shipped back for repair. Lt. Col. Hof was the Commanding Officer of the Manila Ordnance Depot at this time. He would later serve as the Commanding Officer of Frankford Arsenal during World War I. He later became the Chief of Ordnance from 1930-1934 and finally retired as a Major General.

The owner, displaying a remarkable dedication, went above and beyond to unearth every detail about 1st Sergeant Perry avaialable, the man who tested the rifle and scope in August 1909 at Camp Bumpus in the Philippines. He graciously provided his extensive research for us to share with you.

First Report from Camp Bumpus dated 1909

The Second Report from Manila Ordnance Depot dated 1917

The owner’s own research contributions

Martin Callahan collection.