Why 2 different mfgs?

[lifesaver]

Gotta bud who has a 1911A1 and has determined it was made in 1943. However on the slide it had COLT but the serial number indicates it was made by ITHACA. Is it a Colt or an Ithaca?

[exitwounds]

Colt and Ithaca had duplicated serial numbers on 60000 pistols. The serial number range is 856405 - 916404. If it falls in that serial number range, an Ithaca will have an FJA inspectors stamp near the slide stop on the left side of the frame, a Colt will have a G.H.D. stamp in that location. If it is a Colt in that range it will also have the serial number under the firing pin stop plate, that should match the serial number on the frame if it is the original slide. If the serial number is outside the duplicated range it is simply a mismatched pistol.

[lifesaver]

Exitwounds:

Upon further review....Think what we have on this one is an Ithaca frame with a colt slide. It was bought used at a reputable dealer. However wouldn't expect the dealer to know what they had or what they sold. Guess someone switched slides sometime to "enhance" the value which all they really did was depreciate the value. Serial # doesn't fall in the brackets for Colt/Ithaca duplication. On the frame it starts at 125XXXX of the Ithaca 1943 era. Which clearly indicates an ithaca. He paid a princely sum for it if I recall over $700. However it racks and loads like it's supposed to so guess it isn't a total loss. Doesn't rattle terribly. Ain't a bad looker for it's age.

Guess we all need to live by the slogan buyer beware..... on the "vintage" shooters...

On another subject Does the square and compass have any significance on your sign in??? Got something similar on the ring my grandfather gave me one night.

[exitwounds]

$700 is not too bad of a price, mismatched USGI pistols that are in very good to excellent condition that are not arsenal/depot rebuilds will often sell in the $500 - $800 range on average depending upon the region. The serial number is actually 1944 Ithaca production.