Seeking advice on M 1911 USGI receiver.

[velocette]

My target 1911 is a mixmaster of parts. It has a USGI frame made by, I think, Union Switch & Signal, A Colt National Match slide, Bar-sto Barrel etc.
I'm thinking of replacing the frame with a Caspian to have some options that are not available with the USGI frame.
My question is: Does the US&S frame by itself, have any value to 1911 lovers?
I'm retired & thought selling the USGI frame to offset the cost of the Caspian frame.

 

[riflewoman]

Only if it is 100% original which is very doubtful. It would have to be in its parkerized finish and with all markings intact.

 

[velocette]

Thank you RW. The markings are all clear excepting the crossed cannons (I think) on the right rear of the frame, its there but faint. Inspectors initial (FJA) and all markings are clear. Frame is parked but whether its original parking I have no idea. The frontstrap has been stippled. It has certainly been used, but its far better than most USGI frames I have seen.

 

[Cemetery21]

The stippleing kills it for a period correct builder. Otherwise the markings and finish wear look legit. Maybe somebody could use it for a early 60s NM reproduction where the stippleling was sometimes done.

 

[velocette]

Thank you C21, The pistol was built in late 60s or very early 70s,

 

[gtl1946]

I was a hardcore military collector and a bullseye shooter . The gentlemen above used the word MAYBE and that’s the word you need to remember. You have what is known as a “hard sell “ ,but the very best to you.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Didn't FJA (Frank J Atwood) inspect for Remington?

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/Frame and Slide Markings.htm

 

[velocette]

Moe, yes he did. I based the US&S mfg on the double space after the No. Of course, I could be wrong, No other mfg identification was on the pistol that I could find.
However, I know very little of the history of the different manufacturers.

 

[hpshooter]

"I think, Union Switch & Signal,"

I was given a Union Switch and signal slide years ago. It is cut for a Bomar rear sight. Fellow who gave it to me had the gun built with his parts by a West coast smith when my friend was a representative for Federal ammunition. One of his accounts was the Hollywood Gun Club he had a lot of photos of him shooting with the "stars" in the 40's and 50"s. As well as pictures of the double deck range in, I think, Los Angeles. Which is one of the locations he shot bulls eye.

Velocette, maybe we can put your frame and my slide in a dark room and clone a perfect US&S 1911. BTW, owned a Velocette Clubman for a short period of time, often wished I still had it.

 

[243winxb]

1980s Flayderman's Prices, info.


A lot of surplus 1911 guns were being sold through the Civilian Marksmanship Program in 2019 year. Most are rebuilds with mismatched parts.
Some folks are trying to match frames to slides, trading, to make an original gun.

My question is: Does the US&S frame by itself, have any value to 1911 lovers?

The guy that bought my old modified gun was going to restore it back in the late 1970s.
Depends on marking & serial number.

The info above is general info, Flayderman's did not have complete data.

 

[riflewoman]

From the serial number 898XXX it would appear that your pistol frame was made by Ithaca in 1943. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

http://www.cruffler.com/ProductionDataPages/ColtAutoPistols/Model-1911A1.html

 

[GotRDid]

Thank goodness it's not a Singer.
GotRDid.

 

[hpshooter]

Thank goodness it's not a Singer.
GotRDid.

Or North American Arms ( made 100 toolroom prototypes in 1918). In the day they were inexpensive war surplus pieces that smiths like Chow, Clark, Behlert and many others, including tool and die makers and machinist, could turn into true target arms that a working guy could pinch his pennies and afford.

 

[velocette]

hpshooter, interesting that you mention Austin Behlert. I visited his shop in Pipersville PA several times. I also used his hammer and sear when I built my Ball gun. (not the pistol in this thread) He was among the first to offer upgraded fire control parts for 1911s.

 

[velocette]

From the serial number 898XXX it would appear that your pistol frame was made by Ithaca in 1943. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

http://www.cruffler.com/ProductionDataPages/ColtAutoPistols/Model-1911A1.html

Riflewoman, Not bad news at all. Now I have accurate information to work with. Thank you.

 

[243winxb]

bad news

Not to someone with an Ithaca slide & looking for a matching receiver.

 

[hpshooter]

hpshooter, interesting that you mention Austin Behlert. I visited his shop in Pipersville PA several times. I also used his hammer and sear when I built my Ball gun. (not the pistol in this thread) He was among the first to offer upgraded fire control parts for 1911s.

Did you ever see one of his "pivoting trigger" conversions on a 1911. Felt like a well tuned S&W wheel gun trigger. Saw a few on USPSA guns from their shop in the mid 80's.