Description
11/26/25 - This is a rare Union Switch & Signal made 1911A1 from 1943. While we believe the finish is totally original, the coloring of the dullite varies slightly in tone between the frame and slide, indicating that those parts were mated together post factory. The overall condition is excellent, with the pistol retaining about 96% of its finish. There is some wear on the high edges of the slide and frame, and a bit of finish loss around the muzzle. A bit of dulling of the finish on the front strap, and a light takedown scratch. Fitted with an excellent set of grips. Excellent bore with sharp rifling. and just a bit of frost. Comes with one correct magazine.
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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.
