SOLD - Rare Union Switch & Signal 1911A1 - Arsenal Rebuild

Description

12/6/22 - This is a very nice example of a rare Union Switch & Signal M1911A1 issued to the US military in 1943. The US&S 1911a1 pistols are one of the most sought after collectibles from WW2. This one has "RIA" and "FK" markings on the right side of the frame, indicating it was rebuilt at the Rock Island Arsenal and inspected by Frank Krack. The slide was refinished when it was rebuilt, the finish on the frame is original. Comes with a period-correct High Standard barrel. The gun has retained about 95% of its finish with most of the wear being on the front strap, where there is also some light spotty brown patina. A couple of very light scratches on the grip safety. Fitted an excellent pair of period-correct plastic grips and comes with one period-correct "L" marked magazine. The bore has decent rifling, but there is minor pitting in the grooves. 

The Union Switch & Signal company of Swissvale Pennsylvania, primarily made railroad signaling equipment but received a contract on May 5, 1942 for the manufacture of M1911A1 pistols. The first pistols were accepted by Ordnance inspectors in January 1943, but the company received word that their contract would be canceled. Within a month U.S.&S. had signed a contract to supply carbine parts. On March 8, 1943 the company was officially notified that their contract had been cut back from 200,000 pistols to 30,000 pistols. However on June 26th, when the contract was nearly complete, and many of the workers had been transferred to Carbine operations, the company received a letter of intent to purchase an additional 25,000 pistols. The last of the pistols was shipped on November 27, 1943. 55,000 Union Switch and Signal pistols were delivered serial numbered from 1041405 to 1096404. U.S.&S. pistols are the second rarest of the M1911A1s (55,000 produced), only the Singer is rarer (500 produced). None of the Union Switch & Signal 1911A1s have the crossed cannons ordnance stamp. We are told these were issued to the Army Air Corps during the war.