Sunday, February 20, 2011

Grandpa’s sidearm

My grandfather, Edward Kostal, was a doughboy in World War I and was wounded in France a few weeks before the Armistice was signed. He was a machine-gunner, but I’m certain he carried a Colt 1911 as his personal sidearm.

Because he was wounded and carried from the Argonne Forest battlefield, his sidearm was lost to him … and to his family.

For sentimental purposes, I wish we had his pistol, but we do not.

Turnbull Manufacturing Company has been manufacturing handguns and is famous for restoring antique firearms. Here’s an example of what a restored 1911 Colt looks like from approximately the same manufacturing year.

If I had my grandfather’s pistol, I would take it to Turnbull for restoration and would never, never, never sell it!!