Major Claire Cole Fisher served in the Tennessee National Guard from 1916 to 1938. He was an instructor at Tennessee Tech and Cornell Universities, surveyor and Civil Engineer in Tennessee and Rhode Island public works. Later during the WW2 years he served as logistics director for Army construction and supply. He signed the early plans for construction of the Pentagon Building -- the largest such project at that time. He ended his federal career as Director of Defense Department Surplus Disposal. The receiver of his 1911 was originally marked as "US Property" and the slide was marked "Model of 1911 U.S. Army" until he left the Military at that time these marking were removed.
Removing the US Property stamp was common with early military firearms. Before the government declared them "obsolete" it was illegal to own a US Property marked firearm.
Toward the end of his life he made use of expertise from his life-long hobby interest in precanceled stamps as a consultant at the Smithsonian Institution.
He was born on 20 February 1897 Lincoln, Lancaster Co, NE; Major Claire Cole Fisher died on 1 February 1966 Arlington County Hospital, Arlington Co, VA, at age 68; Heart attack. He was buried on 4 February 1966 Algood Cemetery, Algood, Putnam Co, TN.
It is hard to imagine the stories that this pistol could tell if it could talk. The details of the THREE KILL MARKS are not known, but they are there just the same. Now that the 100th anniversary of the 1911 is upon us it is very important to own an early piece of automatic pistol history. The 1911 has served America's forces valiantly throughout the 20th century and has become a symbol of excellence when it comes to production pistols. It holds a great deal of historical significance and would make an excellent piece in ones martial arms collection. The Military presentation case with the engraved placket includes a compartments for the double magazine case with two original magazines, a GI oil can, and holes for 14 rounds of ammo. A copy of Major Claire Cole Fisher's history will be included with this purchase.
The bore of this gun needs a good cleaning, but the rifling shows strong.
