Ithaca M1911A1

Steve1987

Steve1987

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Hi,

I'm sharing some photos of this Ithaca M1911A1.

I noticed on the EE one seller claims that Ithaca used Colt slides, but this is definitely not true. Ithaca used some surplus WWI Colt frames at the beginning of production, but never slides.

Of the WWII makers I think Ithaca produced the overall roughest looking product. Beside a Colt, the quality simply isn't there.

This is the research I've done on my pistol using the Ithaca factory shipping records:

Serial number: 1258069

Contract # 740-ORD-2442
DRW-740-OED-121

Packed with 49 other pistols in crate 93 of 100

Packed on 14 Feb 1944
Shipped on 17 Feb 1944 to;

Commanding Officer
Letterkenny Ordnance Depot
Chambersburg Pa.









Regards,
-Steve
 
Thanks!

The pistol on the EE is most likely a post-war mixmaster re-blued at some point. It's still a fine gun, I don't mean to attack the seller and he doesn't claim it to be 'all original' so I don't think there's any ill-intent. Probably a good gun for someone looking for an M1911A1 they can bring to range and not worry about harming the collector value. I have some like that too.

I'm not sure who made this diagram, but this is the easiest way to tell a Colt frame on early Ithaca.

The chances of finding one of these extremely early Ithaca M1911A1's with Colt frame and du-lite finish in Canada is extremely slim.



-Steve
 
While I agree Ithaca produced a product that visually looked less refined, all M1911A1 pistols supposedly had interchangeable parts and the same inspection gauge testing. In theory, despite less finishing post-machining, the AVERAGE Ithaca should function as reliably as the AVERAGE WW2 Colt, rand, US&S, etc. That was certainly the intent of US Ordnance.

I've not read first hand accounts of troops having issues with Ithacas, but would be interested to hear your thoughts on the subject.
 
Very nice Ithaca!

Yeah, saw that other post regarding Ithaca supposedly using 'surplus' Colt slides at the end of the war. :rolleyes:. Had a ....lol....

Here's my Colt/Ithaca.... one legitimate way a Colt slide can end up on an Ithaca mfg frame..... it's a RIA arsenal refurb pistol.... utilizing a 1943 Ithaca frame & 1943 Colt slide [sn under firing pin stop]:

DSCN5033.jpg


DSCN5019a.jpg


DSCN5023.jpg



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NAA.
 
I agree, Ithaca mfg 1911A1's are not as 'nice' as Colt's or Remington Rand's but at ~ 400,000 production numbers I do like that of the big 5 WWII 1911A1 makers, Ithaca's are the 3rd rarest behind Colt & Remington Rand production.

Here's my 1945 mfg Ithaca:

DSCN3704.jpg



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NAA.
 
Thanks guys. Those are some good looking pistols NAA!

It's my understanding that Ithaca really struggled to produce a quality product to ordnance specs including interchangeability testing.

US&S and Remington Rand were highly regarded but in my opinion in hand the Colt still looks and feels like the best quality product. This is not based on any sort of testing though, just my personal opinion.

Regards,
-Steve
 
NAA said:
I agree, Ithaca mfg 1911A1's are not as 'nice' as Colt's or Remington Rand's but at ~ 400,000 production numbers I do like that of the big 5 WWII 1911A1 makers, Ithaca's are the 3rd rarest behind Colt & Remington Rand production.

Here's my 1945 mfg Ithaca:

DSCN3704.jpg



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NAA.
Click to expand...

Nice Ithaca! I've had 43 & 44 ithaca's in the past but both were well used and quite pitted, definite been there done that pistols. Very nice examples gentleman
 
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