1199 UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL MODEL 1911A1

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 45 ACP. S# 1066435. Bbl. 5". The U.S. Switch & Signal is a key pistol for U.S. Martial collectors, with 55,000 having been made during 1943 in the serial range of 1,041,405–1,096,404. This standard configuration pistol has its left side of the slide marked with the "USS" logo, followed by the company address and its location in PA. The right side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and "M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY/ No 1066435". Inspection marks include a "P" on top of the slide and on the left side of the frame, and the encircled inspector "R.C.D." acceptance just below the slide stop. Unlike the majority of 1911A1s, the Union Switch & Signal was not marked with an ordnance proof. Fitted with correct brown plastic grips, earlier form, whose screws were not surrounded by reinforcements. Disassembly shows an early variation bbl. whose lug was marked an "S" and "P" on the left side, just below the heat lot number. Fitted with a standard mag. with 5 indicator holes and an unmarked toe. MAGS: 1 7-rd. CONDITION: excellent, as possibly refurbished. The color and texture are as per an original pistol, but the slide has no discernible hardening marks, and a slide stop scoring is under the finish on the corresponding finger cutout. Small parts are Du-Lite finished rather than blued. Interestingly, the "P" on the slide and frame may have broken the finish. Crisp original grips. VG mag. with superficial indentation on the right side and floorplate with a shortened toe. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Correct manual mechanics. PROVENANCE: the collection of Curtis H. Halvorson. (23-5805/LMA). CURIO. $3,000-5,000.