WWII - ITHACA 1911A1

[THREEDFLYER]

Found this little gem locally and it appears to be correct and in original condition, not an arsenal rebuild. S/N is in the 1945 production range and correct for Ithaca.

 

[BigMuddy]

WOW! That is a terrific find. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

 

[merl67]

Simply Beautiful !

 

[S-W4EVER]

My first service pistol, back in ‘73 in the ROK was an Ithaca.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

That is a twin to the pistol I carried during my first tour in Vietnam.

Lots of folks are not aware that military purchases of M1911A-1 pistols stopped at the end of WW2. Other than a few national match pistols or other specialty pieces every pistol still in general use through the late 1980's was made during or before World War II (ending in 1945). The same pistols we carried in Vietnam remained in service until the transition to the M9 pistols was completed (1985-1990 or so), and were the same pistols issued during Korea and WW2. Some original Model 1911's (1918 and earlier) remained in military inventories all along, so they were old enough to qualify for social security before they were retired by the US military.

In 1990 my son was serving in the US Coast Guard when his vessel received the new M9's and retired the M1911A-1's that had been in the ship's inventory since the ship was commissioned.

Finding one in good original condition these days is always a pleasure.

 

[chiefdave]

You scored big time. Nice, original 1911's and A1's have been getting harder to find as time passes.

If it's not stamped COLT or UNITED STATES PROPERTY then it's not a 1911, just a clone.

 

[Watchdog]

I like that one! It's a keeper for sure. Don't you love the way the finish is worn along the high edges, almost outlining the shape of the pistol?

Just curious...what kind of magazine came with it? Look for a letter stamped on the toe tab of the magazine...maybe an "R" or an "L"? Or an "S", maybe. Does it have a Flannery barrel?

I'm always surprised when I hear about someone finding one locally...like at an LGS. They simply don't show up around here...or if they do, someone's refinished them or done some other silly modification to it.

You are gonna shoot it, aren't you? Congratulations on your acquisition!

 

[AJ]

Check your parts here. One of the best for that sort of thing: http://www.coolgunsite.com/

 

[cmansguns]

That is one super find! It certainly appears totally correct from the great pictures you posted. I can see the Yawman trigger (stamped steel, invented by Harry Howland of Ithaca in 1943 and "forced" onto the other 1911A1 manufacturers by the Ordinance Dept' to speed up production). I can also see the 7 rib MSH, traces of FJA (Col Frank J. Atwood). Looks like the correct Keyes Fiber grips with reinforcing rings too.

Mine is a late 1943, and has the hollow cross Ithaca proof mark on left side of trigger guard, and my magazine is stamped R (Risdon Mfg) on the top of floor plate. I've been dickering on and off with a buddy for some 15 years over obtaining his one magazine marked GS (General Shaver) but just can't get off the $100 asking price.

Mine has a wear spot right on the serial number that the story I have heard for years is that the mark is indicative of holster carry in a GI, M7 flap holster where the flap closure button will touch the frame. At least in my case...it actually does touch in exactly that spot in any of the 3 genuine M7 flap holster I have.

Every time I take mine out for exercise, I invariably get decent offers on the spot. I have turned down $2,500 and will most likely continue to keep this keeper.

I don't know whether mine was in some GI or Marines holster assaulting Iwo Jima, or spent countless years in some Lt's holster during guard mounts around the world...either way...history in your hands! Ya gotta love it!.

Thanks for posting your incredible find in this day and age.

Does this mean you will be withdrawing your CMP lottery number?

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Check your parts here. One of the best for that sort of thing: http://www.coolgunsite.com/

I have used this website for many years for researching 1911's that I have purchased. But thanks for posting the link.

 

[Watchdog]

I've been dickering on and off with a buddy for some 15 years over obtaining his one magazine marked GS (General Shaver) but just can't get off the $100 asking price.

Last gun show I went to (well over a year ago), a guy had one General Shaver magazine. Wanted $130 for it.

I still don't have a General Shaver magazine. If I found one for $100, I might be tempted. Risdons go for around $50 here. Ditto for Littles. I lucked out a while back...found two Risdons in an LGS's "surplus magazine bin"...walked out with both of 'em for $25.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I like that one! It's a keeper for sure. Don't you love the way the finish is worn along the high edges, almost outlining the shape of the pistol?

Just curious...what kind of magazine came with it? Look for a letter stamped on the toe tab of the magazine...maybe an "R" or an "L"? Or an "S", maybe. Does it have a Flannery barrel?

I'm always surprised when I hear about someone finding one locally...like at an LGS. They simply don't show up around here...or if they do, someone's refinished them or done some other silly modification to it.

You are gonna shoot it, aren't you? Congratulations on your acquisition!

Yes, it has the correct FLANNERY barrel and the magazine toe is marked with the letter "L"

It's nice to find one that is not an arsenal rebuild and yes, the edge wear really adds to the story!

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Last gun show I went to (well over a year ago), a guy had one General Shaver magazine. Wanted $130 for it.

I still don't have a General Shaver magazine. If I found one for $100, I might be tempted. Risdons go for around $50 here. Ditto for Littles. I lucked out a while back...found two Risdons in an LGS's "surplus magazine bin"...walked out with both of 'em for $25.

I will have to check my U.S. .45 ACP magazine's and see if what I have for the letter stamps.....

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I will have to check my U.S. .45 ACP magazine's and see if what I have for the letter stamps.....

WW2 production magazines came from Colt, Little, Risdon, General Shaver, and American Pin Company. Colt-produced magazines were generally unmarked; Colt also delivered pistols with Little and Risdon magazines made on contract, marked C-L or C-R. Little produced magazines for Remington-Rand, Ithaca, and Union Switch & Signal. I think just about all the General Shaver mags were "spare parts", shipped out as replacements to be issued as needed. American Pin produced relatively few during WW2, but were one of the more common makers for WW1 pistols.

After WW2, as replacement magazines became needed, several companies produced them. Those are generally marked on the floorplate with the part/stock number and a manufacturer's code (there are some on-line resources for deciphering those markings to identify maker and contract time period). Generally not considered very collectible, for now anyway.

As recently as 2005 I was still finding new, unissued WW2 magazines still in the original VPI paper wrappers. Picked up an unopened box of 24 General Shaver mags at a gun show, made several collectors very happy while also lining my pockets nicely.

There are literally millions of the older magazines still out there, frequently in the hands of folks who have no idea what they are holding. I still keep my eyes open for deals, both to build my own collection and to provide extra funds for other "needs".

An interesting sideline field of collector interest.

 

[Faulkner]

Very nice find. I have a 1943 Ithaca that I'm fond of, they're fun to shoot.

 

[VaTom]

Excellent piece. I also have a 1943 Ithaca that I came across 10 years ago. All original with High Standard barrel. Can't believe how much the value of the war contract pistols and magazines has increased over that time. Shoot and enjoy it. I did change the recoil and firing pin springs as well as WWII magazine springs. Of course kept the originals. shoots flawlessly after 75 years!

 

[les.b]

Tom, that is a wonderful find you have there. Thanks for sharing it with us. I guess all of us would love to find a similar treasure one day.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Lee Barner]

General Shaver mags were issued only with RR pistols as GS was a company owned by RR. lee

 

[DWalt]

Some years ago I found a brand-new in-the-wrapper Ithaca slide, bushing, and barrel at a gun show for $100. I had (and still have) a fairly nice original WWI Colt British M1911 (that is with the ".455 Calibre" marked slide). I put that Ithaca slide on the Colt frame and it fit perfectly, no fitting required. And I still shoot that combination. I have the .455 slide somewhere, but haven't seen it in a long time.

 

[shouldazagged]

That's a fine old warrior, with great character.