Joe Foss .45
Guys,
I have a non computer literate friend from South Dakota that has a .45 supposedly owned by Joe Foss. It's not his WWII weapon, but was supposedly a gift to Foss when he was NRA president. I've done what internet research I can and it appears that the silversmith (Sid Bell) that made the grips may be deceased. Since it was a presentation, I doubt a search through the colt factory would be of much use either. Basically my question is whether anyone has any ideas to try and track the history of this piece. My friend has owned the gun for almost 30 years and would like to try and doccument it before passing it on to his kid. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
I have a non computer literate friend from South Dakota that has a .45 supposedly owned by Joe Foss. It's not his WWII weapon, but was supposedly a gift to Foss when he was NRA president. I've done what internet research I can and it appears that the silversmith (Sid Bell) that made the grips may be deceased. Since it was a presentation, I doubt a search through the colt factory would be of much use either. Basically my question is whether anyone has any ideas to try and track the history of this piece. My friend has owned the gun for almost 30 years and would like to try and doccument it before passing it on to his kid. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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hello the pistol looks to used and not a safe queen. [^]with the serial number we can tell you what year it was made. While the pictures are better then none they really need to show more detail. MACRO camera setting in strong natural lighting. As it looks to me it has either been REFINISHED at some time or a military contract pistol with military finish. If the serial number has the letter C then it was ment for the civilian market. If serial has No. then all numbers then it was military.
EDIT Because of lack of complete serial number I can say it was in one of two shipments either Nov. 16th or Nov. 18th 1942. This was a Military contract pistol and was original shipped to the military.0 -
These are scans of photos my friend sent me, and are all I have. I agree that the gun looks farily well used and thought that maybe if it was owned by Foss that the grips were given to him and that he put them on a .45 he owned. The serial number is 8385XX. Sorry, but that's all the info I have. 0 -
Since Foss is deceased the only way your going to verify it was his, is by some form of documentation from his family.
Have your friend contact Foss's family. Send them quality photos and ask if they can confirm it was at one time his property.0 -
I would also contact the NRA. If it was a presentation to him when he was President, they might have some info on it (maybe a photo at an event or something.)
Too bad my Grandpa passed away - I know that he was a friend of Joe Foss and liked guns, so I bet he at least saw it if it really was Joe's!0 -
Well, it's not a presentation piece. (I won't argue the gift aspect, as someone, anyone could have given it to him.)
If a presentation piece, I seriously doubt that a pistol from Gov't stockpiles would have been used, at least while it was still in Gov't issue condition.
And, It would have had his name on it somewhere.
So, 'ol Joe may very well have owned it. Sid Bell's work on [any gun] is a nice touch.
I just want to emphasize that a presentation piece wouldn't have been an off-the-rack issue weapon..which this is.
Good luck in your research! Judging by the condition, I'm sure 'ol Joe used it a lot! Joe
EDIT
Perhaps this will aid you in your research. Best again, Joe0 -
Be interesting that he sold off the presentation piece but kept the grips to put on his WW2 1911. That would mean more to dude than a NRA "presentation" (at least to me).
So is it just the gun or is there a presentation box (like a glass case)? If there is a case I'd look in there to find some docccument stashed in there. Also take the grips off to see if there are anything hidden there, too.0 -
Joe's service .45 has been refinished and is pictured on the cover of the 22nd edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values, which has been the all time most popular blue-book. 0 -
Thanks for the advice guys. It looks like the only avenue open at this moment is the guy that bought Sid Bell's company. He's going to search his old records and see if these grips were actually made for Joe Foss. Thanks for everyone's assistance. 0
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