Welcome to M1911.ORG
The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site


John needs your help
Please read this message.


Sponsors Panel
If you intend to buy something from the companies advertising above, or near the bottom of our pages, please use their banners in our sites. Whatever you buy from them, using those banners, gives us a small commission, which helps us keep these sites alive. You still pay the normal price, our commission comes from their profit, so you have nothing to lose, while we have something to gain. Your help is appreciated.
If you want to become a sponsor and see your banner in the above panel, click here to contact us.

Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: New to me M1911A1

THREAD CLOSED
This is an old thread. You can't post a reply in it. It is left here for historical reasons.Why don't you create a new thread instead?
  1. #1
    Join Date
    2nd June 2017
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3
    Posts liked by others
    1

    New to me M1911A1

    Hi Everyone,

    I was in the Army from 1984 - 1990 as a Military Policeman and carried a M1911A1 as a duty weapon.

    I always wanted to get one after getting out and now 27 years later I finally got my hands on one!

    It's a Remington Rand marked US Property serial number 185378x.

    I totally stripped it down tonight and it has a lot of thick grease buildup on most every internal spring, etc...

    My questions are:

    1. Is there a place to look up serial numbers to find out any history or manufacture date, etc?

    2. What should I use to remove the grease but not harm the finish? (Also - What should I NOT use that will harm the finish?) I am thinking of putting all the parts into an ultrasonic cleaner with some CLP to start...

    Thanks everyone!
    Last edited by 95BMP; 3rd June 2017 at 08:01.


  2. #2
    Join Date
    8th August 2010
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    1,836
    Posts liked by others
    33
    CLP will not hurt the finish on the pistol. I would be interested to know if she's all original.
    Beauty is skin deep but ugly goes right to the bone.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    4th June 2004
    Posts
    2,829
    Posts liked by others
    185
    The Collector's Guide by Charles Clawson shows 1816642 - 1890503 as Ithaca serial numbers.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    2nd June 2004
    Location
    Terra
    Posts
    22,286
    Posts liked by others
    906
    Quote Originally Posted by Doran View Post
    The Collector's Guide by Charles Clawson shows 1816642 - 1890503 as Ithaca serial numbers.
    My little vest pocket guide to 1911 serial numbers shows 1743847 - 1890503 for Ithaca. Year of manufacture 1944.

    The Sight web site shows Ithaca: S/N 1,816,642 to 1,890,503 = 1944

    http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside

  5. #5
    Join Date
    28th September 2008
    Location
    Northern Italy
    Posts
    554
    Posts liked by others
    95
    First off welcome to our 1911 forum.

    If I were you I would give it a good BALLISTOL bath then genlty brush all the parts with an old toothbrush.
    This is one of the best gun forums among the several I belong to, to me it's quite a learning experience. hope you'll enjoy your time here.

    Regards.
    Originality can't be restored, so put "originality" at the top of a priority list. If JMB didn't put it on the 1911 you don't need it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    2nd June 2017
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3
    Posts liked by others
    1
    Thanks Everyone - I stripped it down 100% and put all parts but the grips into the ultrasonic cleaner with heat and CLP.

    Then I cleaned each and every part with a toothbrush and used some acetone on the old grease buildup.

    Finally I did all parts in the ultrasonic cleaner with CLP again and then wiped off all the excess CLP and reassembled it.

    I had some issues with the 3 pronged spring, but finally got it in correctly.

    Everything is great now! Thanks again!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    9th June 2004
    Location
    Alabama, US
    Posts
    2,199
    Posts liked by others
    115
    You have what is known as a "mixmaster." The contracts specified parts interchangeability and the Army armorers did not care what brands they put together to refurbish a gun.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    2nd June 2017
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3
    Posts liked by others
    1
    image1 1.jpg
    After first Ultrasonic CLP bath...
    Likes (1) :
    11 Bravo (5th June 2017)


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  



Sponsors Panel
If you intend to buy something from Brownells, please use their banners above. Whatever you buy from them, gives us a small commission, which helps us keep these sites alive. You still pay the normal price, our commission comes from their profit, so you have nothing to lose, while we have something to gain. Your help is appreciated.
If you want to become a sponsor and see your banner in the above panel, click here to contact us.

Non-gun-related supporters.
Thank you for visiting our supporters.