I had the safe open the other day & took a pic of one of my favorite pieces (my dad was infantry in WWII & when I was an MP we still used the .45's). Nothing new, but I hope you guys like it. I particularly like the wide spur hammer & checkered MSH.

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My father's WWII 1911 is still going. It bit the heck out of the web of my hand when shooting. Still have a small scar from that. It rattles a lot but it is still pretty accurate.

Note the good Colt finish, no abundance of tool marks, even in 1943.

Looks unused. I had one that clean: wide hammer spur, checkered non-slip surfaces, etc. in the USAF when I was stationed at a remote radar site in Newfoundland. We had only one or two other Colts in my duty section, the rest being Remington-Rands.

I bought a Lend-Lease example at a Denver store. It had higher fixed sights, combat sights, not target shape. They had others like it. I wondered if those were provided to SOE or SAS operatives, either during WWII or after. Most Lend-Lease and outright British-purchased Colt .45 autos had normal sights like the US guns, differing only in UK proof and property marks.

My other .45 autos have all been commercial Colts. I still think it's one of the most efficient fighting handguns, ever.

Colt has always made the best 1911's, IMHO, and I have had my share of them. I have two left and these aren't going anywhere soon.

That is a nice looking Colt.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

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Hope we like it? Well, you bet! Thanks for sharing.

My Dad's 45. Long story how it went to my uncle in 68, and I got it back in 83'....it had been nickled and beat so I had it refinished

Wow! A Union Switch & Signal 1911A1! Don't see a whole bunch of those around. And it was your father's. What a treasure.

Love to see some more photos of that one. I can't tell from the photo...does it have the inspector's acceptance stamp on the frame between the slide stop and the magazine release? Like maybe an "R.C.D." in a circle, for Lt. Col. Robert C. Downie?

Beautiful old 1911A1.

Someone made a bullseye gun out of my 1943 before they were worth anything.

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That's a nice one for sure. I like the checkered MSH, too. My '43 Remington Rand has one. I think they add a touch of elegance to a basic pistol like the WWII 1911A1s. And the checkered MSHs seem to develop such a nice patina over the years as opposed to the ribbed ones.

Nice gun take good care of it and be careful if you fire the gun.. They are getting expensive and you want to keep it in great shape... Very nice!!

Agreed. I have a mixmaster Colt/Rand for when I feel like shooting an old one, but I've never fired my "good" '43 Colt (and its not as nice as the OP's).

If I get a chance I will take more pictures but there is no rattle or shake on it...its tighter than my Gold Cup! From what I have read the US&S were known for there quality and it shows.