CMP WWII US Ithaca 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2250
LSB#: 220204RT037
Make: Ithaca
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 898302 (This serial number falls into a range which was used by both Colt and Ithaca. Based on the lack of a Verified Proof on the trigger guard as well as lacking the usual inspection mark at the disconnector found on Colt pistols, we believe the frame was produced by Ithaca).
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “ITHACA GUN CO., INC. / ITHACA, N.Y.”. The left of the frame behind the magazine release and the top of the slide in front of the rear sight are marked with a “P” acceptance proof. The left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked “FJA” (Frank J. Atwood Lt. Col., Sub-Inspector for Ithaca, Remington Rand and Union Switch). The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 898302”, “M 1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, and at the rear there is a faint, incomplete Ordnance mark. Below the Ordnance wheel is “M-B” or “M-8” (we were not able to find specific information about this marking). The interior of the dust cover has a flaming bomb Ordnance mark. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right “HS”. The right front bow of the trigger guard is marked “0”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a ramped rear face fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have light handling wear, a little more notable on the right than the left. There are some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. The are a few spots of minor surface oxidation, mostly on the slide. There are a few scattered light nicks and scratches, some under the finish. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as Arsenal Refurbished (CMP rated the pistol Service Grade).
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is light play between the slide and frame. The trigger is crisp. 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 in a tan plastic CMP branded case with a CMP Certificate of Authenticity, Army Technical Manual and a total of three 7-round magazines. Two magazines are marked “L” on the top of the floorplate, the third “S”. The magazines have light operational wear, infrequent minor oxidation, intact feed lips and strong springs.
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. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns. During the inter-war years, the design was further refined with an arched mainspring housing, relief-cuts behind the shortened trigger and some minor changes to other small parts, resulting in the 1911A1. This new model would be the US sidearm during WWII, and saw production by a few different companies. As in the previous World War, Colt and American Arsenals were not able to produce everything that would be required for this war, and production would be contracted to a typewriter company, Remington Rand, a company which made switches and signals for railroads, Union Switch & Signal, and one firearms manufacturer, Ithaca Gun Co. This example was made by Ithaca in 1943, and is one of the earlier guns produced by the Ithaca, New York based company. It stayed in US inventory for some time, being sold to the public by the Civilian Marksmanship Program in October of 2019 as a Service Grade. It is in Very Good-Fine condition, retaining about 96% of its new parkerized metal finish, a nice bore, and strong mechanics. With its CMP case and paperwork, this would be a nice addition to a collection, especially for those who missed out on the CMP’s release of these pistols. Please see our photos and good luck!