Make: Ithaca
Model: M1911A1
Serial Number: 2652758
Year of Manufacture: 1945
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5", High Standard
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated, ramped rear face fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are Keyes Fibre two-piece checkered brown panels with reinforcement ribs on the interior and reinforcement rings around the grip screws. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, appears very much like Du-Lite.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion and minor pitting in the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 6+/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches, some under and a few through the finish. There is some discoloration on the slide, most notable around the rear sight and on the right flat toward the rear. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, but the Ordnance wheel and some inspection marks are incomplete (as is common). Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a single 7-round magazine marked "S" on the top of the floorplate (Scovill Mfg. Co.).
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. As was the case in the First World War, the demands of the U.S. Military in the Second would require expansion of production of arms beyond the ability of individual companies and factories besides Colt's were selected to produce 1911A1 pistols during the war.
Prior to the United States entering the war, the Singer Sewing Machine company was tasked with an "Educational Order", creating detailed instructions on how a factory could produce 1911-A1 pistols. This plan included the required tools, measurements, finishing processes, everything soup to nuts. With America's entry into the war, this production study was provided to the Remington Rand typewriter company, Union Switch & Signal, and to Ithaca Gun Company.
This example was made by Ithaca in 1945. It is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished, retaining much of its new blued finish, a decent bore, and strong mechanics. The finish is very similar in appearance to Du-Lite, the original finish used for 1911A1 production, but this would quickly switch over to parkerizing during the war. This pistol would be a good addition to a collection and should also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
