WWII Union Switch & Signal US&S USS DuLite 1911-A1 Military Pistol 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $7580
LSB#: 211027RY02
Make: Union Switch & Signal Co.
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1090660- Per Clawson, there was a duplicate serial range between Colt and US&S between 1088726 and 1092896. This pistol’s serial number falls into this duplicate range. The lack of a Colt Verified Proof or Inspector number stamp on the trigger guard as well as the lack of markings on the top of the frame around the disconnector indicate that this is not a Colt production frame, but a US&S.
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 1090660”, “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 grips have minor handling wear with a few light marks, most notable is a nick on the left panel in the reinforcement ring around the bottom screw. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: DuLite
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show handling wear and some light discoloration from oxidation. There is infrequent other scattered finish wear, most notable at the front of the dust cover. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. There is a light scratch under the slide stop from disassembly/reassembly. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. 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 barely perceptible 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, such as this one, had the marking in the same location as other makers. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition with 87% of its DuLite finish remaining. The bore is 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!