Help me identify a Government M1911

[65mustang]

I have a M1911A1 gun that was my wife’s fathers. He passed over 15 years ago and left a gun collection. My wife ended up with a gun and we would like some information about it. It is marked on the left side U.S & S. CO which I have found that stands for Union Switch & Signal Swissvale, PA but we don’t know the date range that this gun would have been produced. On the right side there is UNITED STATES PROPERTY, No875736 and M1911A1 U.S Army. Any info would be great. Also a value would be nice to know.

[exitwounds]

Your Frame falls into the serial range of '43 Colt 1911A1 (sn# +/- 862000 - 958100) the serial number is also in the duplicate range of a '43 Ithaca (sn# 856405 - 916404). What is the inspector stamp on the left side of the frame just below the slide stop?What you have is a mismatched weapon. US&S serial numbers were 1041405 - 1096404 in '43 and only 55,000 were mfg.. Are there any Arsenal Rebuild stamps such as AA, RIA, SA, etc. on the frame? Can you provide any pictures?

[65mustang]

GHD is the stamp I see below the slide stop. There is RIA stamped on the right side below the SN#. I can provide pic. I am not how to post them but I can email.

[exitwounds]

GHD is the inspector stamp found on Colt 1911A1 pistols, therefore your frame is a Colt, had it been an Ithaca it would have had an FJA stamp. GHD stands for Guy H. Drewry, Brig. Gen. - Army Inspector of Ordnance Jun 17, 1942 - Jul 15, 1945. The RIA is the rebuild stamp of Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL. The mismatch is most likely the result of the arsenal rebuild. Arsenal Rebuilds are more valuable in most cases than those built of mixed or swapped parts. The arsenal rebuild stamp should be applied after finish. Visit www.coolgunsite.com for pictures and details of the markings and pistols. If everything is correct for the arsenal rebuild, these pistols are selling for $800 - $1200 in my region depending on the overall condition.

[65mustang]

Since this has United States Property is it a problem for us to have it? Would we be in violation of something if we sell the gun?

[stans]

Most of these old 1911 and 1911-A1's were written off the government inventory many decades ago. I wouldn't worry.

[exitwounds]

In addition to Stans reply, these weapons were also sold as surplus through the DCM, and many moons ago the NRA. Since it belonged to your wife's father it is somewhat of a family heirloom, and will most definately continue to increase in value if you hold onto it. It has been 60 years since these pistols have been mfg. and their not making them anymore.

[65mustang]

Is there a way to find out who it was originally issued to in the army using the sn#?

[Doran]

This site:

http://armscollectors.com/srs/lookup_auto.php

has some records of issue and disposition. I don't see your serial number there.

[65mustang]

The only thing that I see wrong with this gun is the plastic grips are broken. Is there a place that I can get correct NOS grips? I don't want to devalue the gun.

[exitwounds]

You can buy replacement grips from www.simpsonltd.com for a reasonable price. Replacing the grips with the correct style replacement for the period on an arsenal rebuild should not effect the value. If you start changing out parts, barrels, etc. that is a different story.