1911 gurus, need some advice on an Ithaca....

[txgunsuscg]

I saw a Ithaca 1911A1 for sale today. I would love to acquire this for my military weapons collection, but want to make sure I am getting the real thing.

Here is the story: the receiver is a Colt WWI 1911. I cannot remember the serial #, but it is stamped US Property on the left and Model of 1911A1 US Army on the right. The stamping on the right is very rough and not straight. There is also a RIA on the right near the serial #. There is a mark just above the mag release that is faint but may be an eagle over a #. The mainspring housing is flat and smooth. Trigger is long, and hammer is wide.

The slide is marked Ithaca Gun Company, Ithaca, NY. To be honest I don't remember much else about it.

Supposedly the gun is an Ithaca built on a Colt receiver (which does match up with history). I have not had a chance to see under the grips or look at the barrel for proof marks, but I did see an H near the ejector.

Everything seems to indicate genuine from my research today. I am just worried about the 1911 US Army being so rough. It is not nearly as professionally applied as the other markings.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Georgia1911]

Certainly it could be an arsenal rebuild. You can see examples of crooked markings on rebuilds. I'm not sure you can really call it an A1, though, as the frame is a 1911, and the slide is an A1. If it is a 1917 frame marked 1911A1 on the right side, that was done by RIA.

 

[txgunsuscg]

Looked at it again this morning. It is marked 1911 on the right side vice 1911A1.

 

[ghitch75]

didn't read your first post will...look as a arsenal rebuild to me.......pic's?????????

 

[xr1200]

Unless its all matching a 100%, except for a few small parts, like safety, sights, trigger etc. then it is a parts gun made from old mis matched parts only worth $500-$600.

A 80-98% condition colt, rand, ithaca, union signal can bring $1500 -$3000, with all 100% matching parts.

Slightly less if a few parts are mismatched, what most ppl look for are matching slides, frame, barrell, grip safty, trigger, hammer, spring housing etc. other small parts are to small to identify.

Unless , you get the gun cheap, its better to just get a used SA 1911 or a new RIA , they are a lot better shooter and are made of better steel, than the old ww1 and ww2 gi 1911's are known for being made of softer steel.