Questions about an old 1911 I just bought...

[gbelleh]

I just bought an old Ithaca 1911 today. It was an impulse buy. I was looking for a modern reproduction of a WWII 1911, but I found this one for just a little more than a used Springfield GI that I also saw, so I bought the Ithaca.

On the left side, it says: "Ithaca Gun Co., Inc. Ithaca , N.Y."
On the right side, it says: "Essex Arms Corp. Island Pond, VT."
Serial number is: 88xx

Anyone know an approximate date of manufacture? Any other info about these guns?

I'm very happy with this gun so far, it has some wear (character), but it is in very good condition and is exactly what I was looking for. I can't wait to see how it shoots.

 

[1911Tuner]

IthExaca

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but it's a parts gun. Essex didn't make anything for the WW2 GI contract pistols. On the bright side, it might be a perfectly functional parts gun. We've got our fingers crossed.

 

[gbelleh]

Thanks for the reply. Your news isn't really bad. I figured it wasn't an actual WWII issue gun. But, this is just the kind of gun I was looking for. Something inexpensive that has the look of a WWII era 1911. It seems very solid and appears to be in very good condition mechanically.

Is there any way to tell when it was made?

Thanks again.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Are those markings you described on the frame, on the slide, or one on each?

 

[gbelleh]

The markings on the slide are different from the ones on the frame. The slide says Ithaca, the frame says Essex. The serial # only appears on the frame.

 

[Jim Watson]

My friend was assembling guns with GI surplus on Essex frames in the 1970s.
Essex is still making frames.
I have never seen an Essex serial number list.
Maybe if you called Essex they could and would tell you.

 

[dogngun]

Essex frames ( and slides, too) were sold through Gunparts Corp

www.gunpartscorp.com

They may still be. They also used to sell parts kits, to enable you to build your own 1911 on an Essex frame.

If it's built right, it should be a good shooting gun.


Mark

 

[1911Tuner]

Essex

Essex frames ( and slides, too) were sold through Gunparts Corp

www.gunpartscorp.com

They may still be. They also used to sell parts kits, to enable you to build your own 1911 on an Essex frame.

If it's built right, it should be a good shooting gun.


Mark

Also through Brownells...or just skip the middle man and call'em up. Ask for Gary.

Essex has come along way since the bad old days when they were supplying frames and slides to Thompson AO. Much better now, but still not quite...right...They make for a good pistol for those on a tighter budget than
Caspian will allow, but the slides and frames are investment castings. A good cast frame isn't an issue, but the slide could well be.

 

[Navy87Guy]

Find anything and everything you ever wanted to know about 1911's over on their site, www.m1911.org

Jim