SOLD - Rare Union Switch & Signal 1911A1 (1063672 - 28239)

Description

11/30/23 - This is a nice, original 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 is all correct and has retained 92-93% of its original finish. There's high edge wear on the front edges of the frame and around the muzzle, with a little more wear on the front strap and trigger guard. Also a few small dings on the left side of the slide. Proper High Standard barrel.  The bore has strong rifling but minor frost throughout.  Scovill mag.  Excellent grips with sharp checkering.  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.