Ithaca M1911a1 Serial Numbers
I have Ithaca model 1911-A1 pistol, serial number 884536. On the slide is stamped U.S. PROPERTY and U.S. The pistol is blued with polished chrome looking trigger, hammer, barrel and clip.
I've been looking for a ww2 era 1911 for a while. Today I stumbled across an Ithaca 1911 in the local gun store and I think i can pick it up for a pretty reasonable price. I have a few questions that I hope some of you may be able to help me with. Looking online I can only find info for 6 digit serial numbers so this one has me slightly confused with the 5 digit number with a letter.
1) Serial number right side frame1377x with a letter B stamped after the s/n
2) Letters TAB11 stamped above serial number
3) Inspector initials FJA stamped on left side frame along with proof mark
4) Slide engraved Ithaca Gun Company (I believe) Ithaca, NY
5) No US Property markings or government markings that I could find
6) small lanyard loop on bottom rear of magazine well
7) Finish appears blued with some wear. Were the Ithaca's blued or
parkerized?
Does it sound as is the frame and slide are a match? Any info you can provide on the markings would be helpful. I would call the finish 85% or better with the major issue being 2 decent scratches on the side of the frame in the serial number area. The scratches do not affect the S/N
Ball park fair price?
Thanks in advance
1) Serial number right side frame1377x with a letter B stamped after the s/n
2) Letters TAB11 stamped above serial number
3) Inspector initials FJA stamped on left side frame along with proof mark
4) Slide engraved Ithaca Gun Company (I believe) Ithaca, NY
5) No US Property markings or government markings that I could find
6) small lanyard loop on bottom rear of magazine well
7) Finish appears blued with some wear. Were the Ithaca's blued or
parkerized?
Does it sound as is the frame and slide are a match? Any info you can provide on the markings would be helpful. I would call the finish 85% or better with the major issue being 2 decent scratches on the side of the frame in the serial number area. The scratches do not affect the S/N
Ball park fair price?
Thanks in advance
Ithaca M1911a1 Serial Numbers
All right, here is a chromed Ithaca 1911A1. I know what 99.9% of the experts will say, and I agree with them, but my father wants to take a stab at getting opinions about his gun. First let’s say the gun is a complete 1943 Ithaca. A “P” is stamped on the left frame and top of the slide. FJA is stamped on left frame along with a faint stamp on the trigger guard bow. The Ordnance Escutcheon is stamped on the right frame behind the grip. It’s marked with US PROPERTY. The barrel is an HS with a ‘P” stamped. The serial number indicates that it could be one of 1,621 shipped on 4/17/1944 to the Ordnance Property Officer, Hamilton Field, California.
Ok here’s the story. My father sent it to Mark Smith, Precision Bluing, Greene NY, to be refinished. Mark did contract work for Ithaca when they were located in Ithaca NY. He told my father he was 95% sure that the gun was a presentation model because the finish is copper, nickel, with flash chrome . He advised my father not to change the finish and sent it back. So Mark, who has 30+ years of experience and knowledge, turned down the work because of what he believed the gun was. Any thoughts or opinions are welcomed. Thanks.
Ok here’s the story. My father sent it to Mark Smith, Precision Bluing, Greene NY, to be refinished. Mark did contract work for Ithaca when they were located in Ithaca NY. He told my father he was 95% sure that the gun was a presentation model because the finish is copper, nickel, with flash chrome . He advised my father not to change the finish and sent it back. So Mark, who has 30+ years of experience and knowledge, turned down the work because of what he believed the gun was. Any thoughts or opinions are welcomed. Thanks.