WWII US Ithaca Model 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2551.89

LSB#: 220124LV005

Make: Ithaca

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 1881499

Year of Manufacture: 1944 (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 1881499”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right “F” (Flannery Bolt Co., limited use by Ithaca mid-1943 to end of production). The right front bow of the trigger guard is marked “4”. The left front bow of the trigger guard is marked with an Ithaca proof mark.

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 checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have light-moderate handling wear, more notable in the right panel than the left. The left panel does have a patch of smoothed checkers in front of the top screw. The right panel has some nicks, scuffs and there is worn checkering at the bottom edge. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Note: The top-right grip screw is seized in its bushing, turning the screw head turns the bushing in the frame. The frame threads at this location and the bushing’s threads are stripped, the right panel is secured by the bottom screw.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges and there are scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is an “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The grip areas show light handling wear. The left of the rear sight is tool marked. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, but the Ordnance wheel is incomplete (as is common). Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition and would rate Fine but for the stripped screw-hole.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is minor 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.

Note: The top-right grip screw is seized in its bushing, turning the screw head turns the bushing in the frame. The frame threads at this location and the bushing’s threads are stripped, the right panel is secured by the bottom screw.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a brown leather flap-holster and a single 7-round magazine marked “L” on the top of the floorplate (M.S. Little Mfg. Co.). The magazine shows scattered light wear and surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The holster is marked “US” in oval on the flap and “BOYT / -42-” on the belt-loop. The holster shows scattered wear and discoloration, there is a short tear at the top edge of the rear belt-loop and the stitching is intact.

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 was the case in the First World War, the demands of the U.S. Military in the Second would require expansion of production of arms beyond the ability of individual companies and factories besides Colt’s were selected to produce 1911A1 pistols during the war. Prior to the United States entering the war, the Singer Sewing Machine company was tasked with an “Educational Order”, creating detailed instructions on how a factory could produce 1911-A1 pistols. This plan included the required tools, measurements, finishing processes, everything soup to nuts. With America’s entry into the war, this production study was provided to the Remington Rand typewriter company, Union Switch & Signal, and to Ithaca Gun Company. This example was made by Ithaca in 1944. It is in about Very Good, retaining much of its original parkerized finish, a nice bore, and strong mechanics. It would rate Fine condition, but one of the grip screw bushings has stripped from the frame, not too uncommon on these pistols due to the threads between the frame and bushing being few and fine. With the included WWII vintage holster, this would be a great addition to a collection and should also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!