My new treasure, a '44 Ithaca

[JDLV4_0]

Well this is my first vintage 1911A1, I receently purchaseed this from the 2nd owner, the first being Uncle Sam, this was carried by the navigator of a B17 shot down in Germany, this was on his side when he parachuted to the ground and served him well. Enjoy the pics.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/IthacaleftsideFULL.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/Leftsideslidetorear.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/IMG_2039.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/GOVmarkandSnlasdigitsremoved.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/Springfieldmark.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/Undersidedustcover.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/Triggerguard-frontstrapcloseup.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/RightsideCloselastdigitsremovedup.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jdlv4_0/1944%20Ithaca/Proofmarks3.jpg

That's all the pics for now, the serial starts in 1874---.

The internals were a little gummy, but some gentle brushing and oiling cleaned out the gunk. The small parts are in very good condition we well as the springs and the bore. Personally, I've seen new production guns in worse shape. And the wife can't complain, it cost less than the camera used to take these pics, and I'm sure this cannon will retain it's value much more than our Canon

I think I've redeemed myself for selling my Commander :D

[Hunter]

Very nice 1911A1 along with some history on it. I would say you did very well with the pistol and with the pictures.
Nice!

[tombstone]

Very nice pistol and a great story. I would guess the navigator was rescued and made it home? If captured, I would expect the Germans would have confiscated his sidearm. Regardless, another of the Great Generation who served this country well!

[JDLV4_0]

Very nice pistol and a great story. I would guess the navigator was rescued and made it home? If captured, I would expect the Germans would have confiscated his sidearm. Regardless, another of the Great Generation who served this country well!


According to him he made good E&E and was picked up by Russians, given that this Ithaca is a '44 and the War ended in '45, and that he was picked up by Russians, it is likely that he was probably bombing over Berlin when shot down, that would put possibly closer to the Russian front, he was "held" by the Russians untill the end of the war, note I said held, not captured.

He was relunctant to go into details, but seeing as how a B17 had a crew of 10 IIRC, I think he probably has a few very bad memories of those times and I didn't want to push. I must have thanked him atleast a dozen times and should probably thank him a dozen more.

Compared to those days I had it good in Iraq.

[OD*]

Very nice Ithaca, congratulations.

[daveohno]

If you were captured in Iraq, I'm not so sure how "good" it would be....But you weren't, so that's good. Don't forget, the Viet Nam Vets, The Gulf 1 and the current Gulf Vets are maybe not the "greatest" generation, but they are all surely "great" in my book!

What a great pistol with a wee bit of history with it! My Dad had an old 1911, had it with him in Germany while our guys were rolling to Berlin, it seems to have been misplaced or sold or something after he passed......I wanted that old pistol :( I am glad you managed to get one for yourself!

[JustinTime]

Very nice USGI. My grandfather carried an Ithica in the pacific

[clughog]

Congratulations on your Ithaca. Great story and great pistol!

[Scott Gahimer]

I've observed and own other 1944 Ithacas with what are commonly referred to "early" Keyes grips. I think your pistol may be the highest number I've seen with those grips. If you'd care to do so, you can e-mail me through the site and share the rest of your number. I don't keep the information you share, just mentally note it for future reference.
BTW, nice find. Congratulations.

[John Holbrook]

Here is a Navy issue Ithaca with the early Keyes stocks..

http://www.fototime.com/%7B78D30FEA-F0F8-44B6-9162-58C32AF35F0D%7D/picture.JPG

[JDLV4_0]

Now that's a nice Ithaca!