Union Switch and Signal - What To Do?

My friend just acquired this US&S 1911. I had never seen or heard of one until he showed it to me today. He was asking for more information about it and he gave me permission to ask all of you. His questions are:

1. Can it be saved?
2. If so, what does he need to do to restore it?
3. Is there a recommended shop to do such a restoration?
4. Would a restoration hurt or improve the value?
5. How much is it worth versus how much would it be worth after a restoration?

Obviously, the grips, barrel bushing and rear sight are incorrect. It appears to have been re-blued at some point in its life. Since it is only one of 55,000 and from the 2nd rarest batch of 1911s, we definitely think it may be worth saving and if so, how do we do it correctly? We also think the barrel is incorrect. As always, any advice or recommendations are highly appreciated.

3rd rarest 1911 after North American Arms (approx. 100) and Singer (500) but some discount the North American Arms 1911s since they were never issued, but I digress. U.S.&S. 1911 A1s command a significant premium if original, this one has been altered so much I don't know if the effort to return it to normal is worth it. Original condition, even if rough is still worth a lot more than the finest restoration. Hopeflly someone more knowledgeable than I will pipe in here.

There are companies or more like individuals that can restore but they usually deal with a finish not trying to change things back. I agree that the damage is done and once it's not original you can't make it "Back to original"... I think that front bushing has to be fitted into the slide to be tight and they usually open the slide up for that. Perhaps one can find a rear sight but I can't tell if the dovetail has been widened. If so, it can't be made smaller. Think about it...it's how it is now. Change the grip scales for the Pachmayr and be done. Maybe a rear sight.

Did I just see "meow" stamped into the bushing? Wait, it's miow?
Can't tell if the rear dovetail has been messed with. If it's only been widened, you can make a rear sight that will look the right part. I've seen barrels come up on Ebay often, along with original bushings. So long as you have a few bushings to try you should be able to find one that isn't too sloppy, but like Jim said before spending any money you need to check the slide to make sure it hasn't been altered when that aftermarket bushing was installed. If it has, hopefully you don't have to take too much material off the face to grind out the miow.

I wouldn't try to restore it. They are only new once, and those that saw service had parts swapped in and out over decades of use. The best I would hope for is to "put it back in service" - gov't contract replacement barrel and a new bushing, gi rear sight. Light bead blast and parkerize. You'll then have something at least comparable to the CMP pistols, but with a harder to find manufacturer.

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Originally Posted by ssgross

Did I just see "meow" stamped into the bushing?

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Micro...

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Originally Posted by ssgross

Can't tell if the rear dovetail has been messed with. If it's only been widened, you can make a rear sight that will look the right part

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That still won't make it original again...

Leave it as is an enjoy it. The cost to put it back to original will not make it worth anymore. You have a very nice piece to go an shot an will not hurt it any.

Thanks everyone. I'll recommend he try to find some wood or Bakelite grips for it and possibly redo the finish to be closer to the original so it at least looks close to original. Since the value related to finish is already gone, we can't hurt it anymore by trying to get it to look correct.

i could make that pistol look like it should. iv restored alot worse

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Originally Posted by Chuckindenver

i could make that pistol look like it should

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A labor of love...

You did an awesome job on my Standard Products M-1 carbine so I will recommend my friend send this pistol to you. You are a great option for him!