WWII Union Switch & Signal US&S USS 1911-A1 Military Pistol, MFD 1943 C&R
Sold For: $5,392.66
LSB#: 200807DW16
Make: Union Switch & Signal Co.
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1065987
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with a “USS” monogram logo and “U.S. & S. CO. / SWISSVALE, PA. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame below the magazine release is marked with a “P” acceptance proof, there appears to be another on the top-left of the slide behind the ejection port, but if so it is poorly struck (US&S pistols lacked either “P” marking until around the 1060000 serial range). The left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked with circled “R.C.D.”. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 1065987”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right is marked “HS”. The top of the floorplate toe is marked “R”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated ramp fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The left panel’s mounting screws are seized to their bushings, the bushings turn in the frame when the screw heads are turned. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light marks, most notable tool marks around the reinforcement rings on the right panel. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The trigger guard, frontstrap and mainspring housing show light handling wear with some minor discoloration from oxidation on the frontstrap. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear except for the “P” on the slide as noted. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is very light play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine. The magazine has operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. As in the Great War, production demands of WWII required many manufacturers to produce military equipment for the war effort. While much of the small arms production was performed by arms manufacturers, there were also contracts that went out to other firms. As the name suggests, Union Switch & Signal Co. produced switches and signaling equipment for railroads. They received a contract to produce 200,000 1911-A1 pistols, though the contract would be shortened with only 55,000 delivered to the government. This makes the US&S 1911-A1s the second rarest of all the manufacturers, behind only Singer who developed the educational material to allow non-firearms manufacturers to swiftly tool up to produce 1911 pistols. The pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition with 93% of its Parkerized finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion, indicating that this should make for a good shooter. This pistol should garner a lot of interest from the collectors of WWI and WWII pistols, and 1911s in particular, especially with the nice bore and light wear. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
