My Dad's M1911A1

[baldcavalier]

Hello All,

I'm a new guy here. I read through the forums and am certain some of you will be happy to help me.

My father recently gave me his M1911A1. After some research here and other websites I know the following:
Serial# 1063XXX says the frame was built by Union Switch & Signal in 1943.
The RA stamp means it was rebuilt (sometime) at the Raritan Arsenal/Red River Arsenal.
It has an Ithaca slide which I hope was a result of its trip to the arsenal.

Q: Am I on track so far?
Q: What other things should I look for?
Q: Does this old war horse have any collector value?

I'm sure someone will ask for photos. I'll get some soon.

Thanks,
Greg

[Scott Gahimer]

Greg: Welcome to the forum. RA would be Raritan Arsenal. So far, so good. Looks like you've done your homework.
Complete info might be interesting, but on a rebuild almost anything of the proper vintage and finish coud be right.
You're corrrect. I'd like to see some good photos if you can post them. Might be able to tell you more then.

Scott

[baldcavalier]

Thanks Scott!
Good to know I'm on the right track. I took a closer look last night and here's some more info. I'm not certain what it means.

Stamped P on the slide forward of the rear sight.
Stamped P on the frame to the right and slightly down from the mag release.
Colt 45 Auto on the the barrel visible through the ejection port. No other markings on the barrel that I can see.
Star and 10 on the inside of the left grip panel, star and 27 on the inside of the right grip panel. I think this means they are original.

Greg

[exitwounds]

Thanks Scott!
Stamped P on the slide forward of the rear sight.
Stamped P on the frame to the right and slightly down from the mag release.
Colt 45 Auto on the the barrel visible through the ejection port. No other markings on the barrel that I can see.
Star and 10 on the inside of the left grip panel, star and 27 on the inside of the right grip panel. I think this means they are original.

Greg

If the slide and frame are both from the same mfg. the P stamp should be the same, it is a proof stamp struck with the same die. What is the markings on the slide? Are there any stamps on the barrel lugs? The grips are Keyes based on your description and there should be a "K" inside the 5 pt. star, the 10 and 27 are mold numbers.

[baldcavalier]

Pardon me, I thought I posted the slide markings: Ithaca Gun Co Inc (next line) Ithaca NY. The frame is from US&S.

The "P" stamps look the same. Perhaps from Raritan Arsenal during the rebuild?

I saw no markings on the lugs. I'll look again.

There is a K in the star. Keyes grips, correct?

Thanks for the help,
Greg

[exitwounds]

Pardon me, I thought I posted the slide markings: Ithaca Gun Co Inc (next line) Ithaca NY. Greg

Yes, you did, my oversight in reading to fast.

Your grips are Keyes indeed and would be correct for a US&S, or Ithaca, or R-R for that matter, but doesn't matter on a rebuild. In my haste I thought you had a Raritan Arsenal (RA) stamped complete US&S, that is why I asked about the P stamps, but that point is moot on a rebuild, since anything is possible on a rebuild as Scott mentioned. Since the Colt 45 auto is visible on the chamber hood through the ejection port and has no markings on the lugs it is post war mfg. or aftermarket.

[baldcavalier]

I was pretty certain the barrel wasn't GI. Thanks for confirming that.

So, now I guess I'd like some opinions. I'd like to take it to the range on a regular basis. It's my only 45. Since it has been rebuilt, has non-GI parts & mis-matched GI parts, is there any sort of value beyond my own sentiments and the fact that it's still a good shooter?

Would I be making a big mistake by doing my own rebuild with some modern parts? (Sights would be one of the first things. My eyes aren't what they used to be.)

What do you folks think?