Welcome to immediately’s Photograph of the Day! Right here we’ve a gun I’m dubbing the Coffin Colt. One of many rarest Colt Single Motion Military variants – a .45 ACP chambering shipped to a U.S. Rifle Crew member who knew precisely what he needed for competitors taking pictures. Lieutenant C.E. Coffin acquired this revolver on August 3, 1931, when he was already making his mark as a Distinguished Marksman. Coffin was a Naval Academy graduate who dominated rifle and pistol competitions within the late Twenties, profitable gold in particular person rifle matches and silver in pistol competitions. When he needed a single motion revolver, he didn’t order .45 Colt – he specified .45 ACP.
Solely 44 First Technology Single Motion Military revolvers have been ever made in .45 ACP, nearly all shipped to army personnel after 1924. The reasoning was easy: servicemen may get all of the .45 Auto ammunition they needed via army channels, however they most well-liked taking pictures the legendary Single Motion Military over the standard-issue Colt automatics. This revolver proves that time completely.
What makes this instance much more attention-grabbing is the FitzGerald-style set off guard modification. Somebody eliminated the entrance portion of the set off guard for sooner set off entry – a way popularized by FBI agent J.H. FitzGerald for quick-draw work. The modification wasn’t finished at Colt, however the high quality suggests it was skilled gunsmith work, presumably finished for Coffin’s competitors taking pictures.
Lieutenant Coffin went on to serve with distinction in World Struggle II, incomes the Legion of Benefit and Bronze Star in the course of the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. However in 1931, he was a younger officer who understood that the most effective ammunition availability meant nothing with out the best gun to shoot it via. This uncommon .45 ACP Single Motion Military represents that excellent marriage of army practicality and taking pictures sports activities excellence.
Most of our POTDs make the most of photographs from our pals at Rock Island Public sale Firm, the premier firearms public sale in the USA. Take a while to browse their present auctions – who is aware of, perhaps you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take residence!
“First Technology Colt Single Motion Military .45 ACP Revolver.” Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/4095/166/first-generation-colt-single-action-army-45-acp-revolver. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
