WWII US Colt /Ithaca 1911-A1 .45 ACP 5″ Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,530.00
LSB#: LSB251029CD038
Make: Colt / Ithaca
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1173819 (This serial number falls into a range which was used by both Colt and Ithaca. The presence of a faint Verified Proof mark on the trigger guard confirms Colt manufacture.)
Year of Manufacture: 1943 / C&R
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, NY” The right side of the frame is FAINTLY marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No. 1173819” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The side of the frame above the magazine release is marked with “GHD”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in a triangle below a “P” inspector proof mark. The VP Proof mark indicates a Colt-produced frame.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an early short blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a rectangular u-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The checkered brown plastic grips are Coltwood Type 2, 3rd Variation stocks. The grips have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with minor tool marks on the grip screws. The checkering is well defined with slightly dulling. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and shiny with sharp rifling. There is minor fouling in the lands. This writer would rate the bore at 9/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its arsenal Parkerized refinish. The frame has a generally strong gray parkerized finish with thinning on the leading edges. There are many scratches on the slide and frame and handling wear on the trigger, around the magazine release and slide stop. The action shows standard operational wear. The screw heads are slightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are shallow, but legible. Overall, the pistol is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The magazine release is sticky. There is light play between the slide and frame. The trigger is crisp. This pistol has a manual thumb 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 total of three (3) magazines in Fair condition and a leather magazine pouch. All the magazines are unmarked.
Our Assessment: The development of the Model 1911 was driven by the U.S. military’s early 20th-century requirement for a reliable, hard-hitting semi-automatic sidearm following combat experience during the Philippine–American War. Seeking greater stopping power than contemporary small-caliber revolvers could provide, the U.S. Army specified a .45-caliber pistol capable of withstanding sustained service use. Firearms designer John Moses Browning, working closely with Colt, perfected a short-recoil, locked-breech system that combined mechanical simplicity with exceptional durability. After exhaustive trials, the design was adopted in 1911 as the U.S. service pistol, setting a benchmark for military handgun design that remains influential today.
Combat experience during World War I validated the design but also revealed opportunities for ergonomic refinement. These lessons led to the adoption of the Model 1911A1 in 1924, which incorporated a shorter trigger, relief cuts behind the trigger guard, an arched mainspring housing, a longer grip safety tang, and more visible sights. These changes improved handling and shooter comfort while retaining Browning’s original mechanical system, which had already proven itself under battlefield conditions. The 1911A1 would go on to serve through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, becoming one of the longest-serving and most respected military sidearms in American history.
This particular mismatched pistol, with a Colt-produce frame and an Ithaca-produce slide represents wartime contract production during World War II, when the U.S. government turned to multiple manufacturers to meet the enormous demand for service pistols. It is highly possible that this 1911 had a field-replaced slide, leading to the mismatch between the Colt Frame and Ithaca slide. Examples from Ithaca are especially noteworthy, as the company was traditionally known for sporting arms rather than service pistols, making their wartime 1911A1 production a distinct and historically significant chapter in the firm’s legacy. This firearm reflects that period precisely, embodying the purposeful construction, standardized features, and unmistakable martial character associated with U.S. service pistols of the Second World War .Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!
BF
