For the past 27 years, the terrorist group known as "November 17th" has performed a number of terrorist acts in Greece. Those acts included bombing of various foreign companies with offices in Greece (like Citibank), shooting and killing of several Greek and foreign people (mostly Americans), launching rockets against various targets etc.

During those 27 years, the pistol used by this group in most of the shooting incidents, was a .45 ACP pistol, which has evolved to be the signature of the group.

The Greek Police has managed to discover and apprehend several members of "November 17th" during June and July 2002, as well as to find most of the firearms and ammunition the group had, in two hide-outs. Between those firearms, were two M-1911 A1 pistols, one of which is shown below:

This particular firearm has been used (either alone or together with other firearms) in the following terrorist acts:

• Assassination of the police officers P. Petrou and S. Stamoulis on January 16th, 1980 (two .45 ACP pistols were used).
  
• Assassination of publisher N. Momferatos and his driver P. Roussetis on February 21st, 1985 (two .45 ACP pistols were used).
  
• Assassination of businessman A. Athanasiadis-Mpodosakis on March 1st, 1988.
  
• Assassination of the member of the parliament P. Mpakogiannis on September 26th, 1989 (two .45 ACP pistols were used).
  
• Shooting the member of the parliament E. Papadimitriou, on December 21st 1993 (the M-1911 was used together with Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver).
• Assassination of the British Military Attache, Brigadier S. Saunders On June 8th, 2000.

The above pistol was found by the Greek police, with a magazine and with its serial number removed.

By carefully examining the pistol's picture, we can see the followings:

The pistol is a Colt Government model, as can be seen from the inscriptions of the slide.

It has the traditional military small sights, small thumb safety, a spur hammer, the standard grip safety and the standard short trigger. A lanyard mainspring housing is shown. In other words, the pistol is bog stock, with no alterations. The bluing is almost totally gone, with some rust spots shown on the dust cover and on the top edge of the slide.

It features the initials of inspector Lt. Col. F.J. Atwood, which were usually found on Ithaca, U.S.&S and Rem Rand frames.

There is a "P" inscribed next to the magazine release button and something like the number "9" on the front left side of the trigger guard.

The second pistol found, was also an M-1911 A1, shown below.

This one has all its markings and the serial number removed.

This particular pistol was used during a gunfight between the members of the terrorist group and the Greek Police, on November 20th, 1991, together with a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, serial number 971379, which has also been confiscated by the police.

One more .45 ACP pistol is known to be owned by November 17th, but this has not been found yet. It is believed to be carried by one known member of the terrorist group, who is still at large, and wanted by the Greek Police.

Until now, at least eight group members have been arrested.

The above pictures and information, were kindly provided to me, by the Public Relations Office of the Greek Police. I would like to personally thank Capt. George Pappas, for his assistance, and to congratulate the Greek Police for their success in ending the terrorist activities of this group.