Recent purchase

[szvacek]

I recently purchased a Ithaca 1911A1 from a friend of mine. It was carried by his father-in-law in WWII (1st Lt, 20th Armored Div,)

It has Plexiglas grips that used have his wife's picture under them. The story goes these were common among the soldiers and these were made out of a crashed German plane windshield. Don't know how true this really is.

I would like to find some original Ithaca grips to replace these. How possible it that and would it be costly??

Thanks
Steve Z

Information

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[rcathey]

Beautiful pistol.
I love the sweetheart grips and actually purchased a new-made set to put a picture of my girlfriend under.
I believe this practice is actually relatively well documented. Well enough that I certainly wouldn't throw these ones away. In fact, I'd probably find a pinup of your choice (I'm partial to Vargas works although Moran was very good too) and put them under the grips.

Anyway, eBay has quite a few sets of original 1911A1 grips up right now. $20 give or take.

[boomer656]

Nice piece. What a great piece of history those grips are, as well. While I might put different/original grips on the gun, I would certainly keep the grips that were on it during WWII.

[henry r]

nice pistol.

i would be asking if i could make a copy of the original pictures he had under the grips. even if you don't fit them, imo they would add greatly to the history of the pistol for future generations.
i would note the pictures are copys and add both thier names and a bit of a bio.

[Neal Myers]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/770632022

These are the correct grips for your gun.

[browningautorifle]

The ones Neal shows look to be a good match for the age and wear of the pistol, those would do...or an ad here to see in the WTB?

[Mikecp@2022]

Nice M1911A1 Ithaca has been shipped Jul. 30, 1944.
1856039-1858038
Destination:
Port Transportation Officer N.Y.
Port of Enbarkation Brooklyn, N.Y.

[szvacek]

When I bought this 1911, the owner of the gun threw in these two boxes of ammo. They were part of the large collection of "stuff" his father-in-law brought back from WWII. (1st Lt in the 20th Armored Div.)

Do these boxes of ammo have any collectible value or can I just use the ammo. Maybe keep the boxes?

Thanks

[painter777]

Is this the same one you asked about when having trouble putting it back together?

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=65369

Been nice if you'd followed up after asking for help.
Especially after members stepped up to help.

[szvacek]

[QUOTE=painter777;437056]Is this the same one you asked about when having trouble putting it back together?

Yes, I was able to correct the problems mentioned earlier. Soaked inside of the barrel where that deposit was and it came off easily. Used some fine sandpaper on the burr at the end of the barrel and the everything went back together OK. Put some new grips on last week. Still looking for some original grips. Had a local gunsmith install a new rear sight since the original was missing.