There’s Something Special About A Colt 1911
By Wyatt Earp | August 18, 2011
And there’s always something special when two heroes get together.
The story begins when [George] Berry, a retired Navy warrant officer who also served in the Marine Corps, decided this summer to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning one of the historic handguns. Early in July, he began searching the Internet and discovered that Alderfer Auction, a well-known auction firm in Hatfield, Pa., would be offering three of the Colt .45s in a July 12 auction.
In particular, lot No. 78 caught his eye: “Colt 1911 A1 semi-automatic pistol. Cal. 45. 5″ bbl. SN 0103889. Reblued finish on all metal, plain walnut Colt grips, after-market rear sight, no magazine,” the description read. “Faint ‘USMC’ stamped on right side of slide, partial ‘United States Property’ wording is visible,” it continued. “The name ‘John J. McGinty USMC’ stamped on left side of slide. Very good.” (H/T – Smite)
Turns out, the 1911 was stolen from John J. McGinty, a Marine who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor in Vietnam. The stolen pistol would probably be worth thousands of dollars, but Berry – an honorable man – returned it to McGinty . . . and asked for nothing in return.
Make sure you read the entire story at the link. It’ll restore your faith in humanity.
Topics: Gun Pr0n | 13 Comments »
August 18th, 2011 at 7:42 am
I still like to think MOST people are good at heart! Little stories like this reinforce that for me!
August 18th, 2011 at 7:54 am
God man Mr. Berry. Damn decent, for such decency I hope he gets a Luger cheap. (face a cooler gun)
Also John McGinty, did he not play Dr. Cox on Scrubs?
August 18th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Great story.
Semper Fi.
August 18th, 2011 at 10:33 am
There is NOTHING like a 1911……..
John J. McGinty…..MOH
George Berry………A Different HERO
God Bless Our Servicemen……….
August 18th, 2011 at 11:51 am
I like the comment someone left in the story.
Why is the 1911 the best handgun around? simple, it’s carried by the best men around.
August 18th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Cool story Wyatt thanks. My stolen .45 returned to me too, but nowhere near as cool as this.
All a man really needs in life is a good dog and a good gun. And a job. And a good car. And a good woman.
Annnnnd maybe a good boat. And good beer. And lots of money. Annnnnd….
August 18th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Nope.
Notice both players are over 70.
Also, if the guy’s name was on the gun, why is this guy the first one to contact him? That’s probably the first thing I’d do too.
Methinks earlier people didn’t want to find out it had been stolen.
But then, I lost my faith in humanity long ago and very little I’ve seen since has made me rethink that.
August 18th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Awesome story and Holy Cow the citation for the Medal of Honor is just amazing.
August 18th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
I think the auction house has some questions to answer too…
August 18th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Danny – Most people are pure evil. These guys are the exceptions.
Dr. Evil – John McGinley. He was also one of the “Bobs” in Office Space.
Robert B. – Agreed.
LDIV – Definitely two people worth emulating.
Kim – True enough. I have one.
Jon – And boobies!
Veeshir – I’d argue with you if I could. But this is still a good story.
Ingineer66 – Yeah, McGinty was hard core.
Old NFO – You would think, right?
August 18th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Don’t get me wrong, great story, two good men doing good things.
I just lost faith in humanity long ago.
When I saw that story I thought, “Man, I wish more people had honor like that.”
And then I wished for a pony.
August 19th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Wyatt:
And THAT’S why it’s called the GREATEST GENERATION…!
Damn shame we’re losing them faster than we can grow more.
Nicely done…and with honor.
Roll safe
August 19th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
I was having a really bad day. That story kind of put it into perspective and turned it around. Thanks.