Tell me about an old 1911

[ByAnyMeans]

Hi guys,

I just received a 1911 A1 US ARMY. I don't know when it was made but do know it's old. I can find no serial number on it or company I'm familiar with. It says United States Property and a number after it. It on the left hand side says Ithaca Gun Co. but I was not able to find a way to run the government number as I have heard others do with guns serial numbers. I don't even know if this government number is a serial number.

Thank you all for your help in identifying this pistol for me, it is my first 1911 and has a bit of sentimental value to me.

 

[jr_roosa]

It's a serial number.

Go to "ID pages" for a serial number list.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/

Nice find. Don't mess with it too much until you know how original it is.

J.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

Thanks, will check it out. I do know that it is all original.

 

[rklessdriver]

I'm assuming you 1911A1 is marked like this:



The "No. XXXX" below the "United States Property" stamp IS the weapon's serial number.

Ithaca was contracted to build 1911A1's for the military during WW2. They are one of a couple of such contractors. After WW2 many of these pistols came home with their soldiers, some were sold by the Govt, others were retained by the Govt and rebuilt for future military use (some were rebuilt many times over the comming years). Depending on when your particular gun became "no longer US Property", It is possible to have an Ithaca Slide assy on a COLT/Remington Rand/USS/Singer frame as the military only cared about having serviceable weapons not keeping them orginal.

Do a search on the internet (or buy Clawson's book) to see if your SN falls in the Ithaca serial number range. If not start looking in the other mfgrs and you'll soon figure out what you have.

Here is a good place to start your research.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=36281

Good luck
Will

 

[ByAnyMeans]

rklessdriver, that is exactly what it looks like but it also says m1911 A1 US ARMY on the left side and Ithaca Gun Co on the right hand side of the slide. I just got back so i'm going to start my search now to get some info. I'll keep everyone updated on what I find out.

 

[Jim Watson]

No sense trying to learn about it one question at a time, there is good coverage at:
www.coolgunsite.net

 

[ByAnyMeans]

Thanks for all your help fellas.

Turns out it is a Ithaca 1911 A1 made by Colt in 1943.

Don't really know what this means but have read about the older .45's so I should be happy. I go more for "combat accuracy" and reliability than "bullseye accuracy". Will hopefully get it to the range soon and see it's accuracy.

 

[kanook]

I'm pretty sure Ithaca made it.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

The coolgunsite linked above places it's serial number in the range made by Colt under Ithaca's name.

Edited: I see what you mean. It says that Colt manufactured ones with duplicate serial numbers during that year. It is a Ithaca brand.