U.S. & S. grips

[Luger1914]

I have acquired three stone cold mint U.S. & S. pistols in the past several years. All three (serials 1.06; 1.07 and 1.09) have had keystone grips without reinforcing rings. What is the real story of these grips. Poyer's new book indicates they were used throughout production. Is there any real documentation showing when they were used--like early or late. I am very reluctant to change grips.

Charles

Information

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[Scott Gahimer]

Changing anything doesn't make the pistol more original. In fact, changing a part makes the pistol non-original for sure. I wouldn't bother changing anything unless you can know the part isn't original...such as with a post-war part.

[Johnny Peppers]

In most cases you don't know what some previous owner has changed on the pistol. One rare exception is the Colt Transition pistols. Some of the early books on the .45 showed the Transition with 1911 diamond checkered grips rather than the correct full checkered grips. The slide said Model of 1911 U.S. Army, so someone put a set of 1911 grips on it to make it correct in their opinion.

[hognfrog]

This is mine.
I purchased it from the son of the man who carried it. I was told it sat in the holster after the father was discharged from the Navy.
I would guess that makes the grips "original".
According to "coolgunsights" web site the Keyes Grips with reinforcing rings is correct.

[Johnny Peppers]

Is there any real documentation showing when they were used--like early or late. .

Charles

The no ring Keyes grips were early and the reinforcing ring variation came later. The reinforcing ring grips start to show up in June/July 1943 production, so how much later they were used would probably depend how long it took to use up remaining old style grips. Ordnance apparently had a reason for changing the grips, so how soon did they want to new grips to be used? If the "first in, last out" theory works, there should have been some 1911A1 production from 1945 with the no ring grips when they finally reached the bottom of the bin.

[John Holbrook]

Here are 4 US&S pistols with various Keyes stocks..

[Luger1914]

John-the US&S that I was inquiring about (a 98% pistol) is 10736XX and it has Keyes grips without reinforcing rings. Very close to your top pistol. Do you mind revealing the serial # of the other two. Thanks for the pics--they do clear up my concerns.

[John Holbrook]

The middle right is 104XXX and the bottom right is 108XXX.

I have observed many US&S pistols and it seems like that both types of stocks were used throughout production. So in my opinion either is correct..... They should fit the condition of the pistol they are on!!!!!!

[Luger1914]

John--thank you again for your knowledge and your fine photos.--charles