WWII Union Switch & Signal US&S USS DuLite 1911-A1 Military Pistol 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $6555
LSB#: 220209FH038
Make: Union Switch & Signal Co.
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1088171
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 is another “P” on the top of the slide in front of the rear sight. 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 1088171”, “M 1911 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 “L”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated, ramped rear face 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 reinforcement rings are larger than the right and its mold number is marked where the ribs cross (Colt production) while the right panel’s mold number marking is in the relieved area with a star (Keyes Fiber Co.). The left panel has a stenciled “52” in white paint. The left panel has minor handling wear with a few light marks, most notable at the bottom-rera corner. The right panel has more notable wear in the bottom half with some other scattered light marks and wear around the reinforcement rings. The checkering is generally well defined, moreso on the left panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as (at least partially) not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: DuLite
Finish Originality: The overall appearance of the finish is Original. There is discoloration at the slide-stop notch on the left of the slide consistent with spot-hardening which was performed at this location as part of the normal production process. While some discoloration from this hardening process is normal, this is one of the more noticeable examples we have seen. Please see our photos.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. The grip areas show handling wear and a few spots of light surface oxidation. As noted above, there is some discoloration at the slide stop notch on the left of the slide. There is some light finish wear on the trigger guard at the bottom-front. There is a light scratch under the slide stop from disassembly/reassembly. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is 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 MS Little magazine. The magazine has light operational wear and infrequent minor surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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. It is believed that when the drawings were originally delivered to US&S, the “P” proof mark on the slide was not included, leading to the early production US&S pistols not having the mark at all. When this was discovered, Ordnance requested that the marking be added to the pistol, but it appears that the location was not clear, with interim production guns having the marking notably left of center. The later production pistols had the marking in the same location as other makers. This slide’s “P” is roughly centered, consistent with the frame’s serial number. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition with 90% of its DuLite finish remaining. The left of the slide has notable discoloration at the slide-stop notch. This location saw spot-hardening during the manufacturing process and it’s possible that this discoloration is from normal hardening, though it is more severe than we have seen on other examples. Apart from this spot, the finish appears original. Perhaps it was a worker’s first day, or just a rough morning/late evening. The pistol’s left grip panel has also been replaced while its right panel is a correct Keyes Fiber Co. panel. The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling and the mechanics are still strong. This pistol should garner a lot of interest from the collectors of WWI and WWII pistols, and 1911s in particular, but should also still make a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!