Ithaca, For your perusal, and some questions

[Garandrew]

This Ithaca M1911A1 just came to me in a trade.
Its been pointed out that the main spring housing, and hammer are Remington Rand, possibly?
Another collector on another websight having an Ithaca about 1000 SN away from mine, in fact both being shipped to the same USAAF location in Topeka Kansas in April 1944, has the SAME parts!
My pics are first, then the last 2 pics are from the other collectors pistol..any comments appreciated;
Mine;










HIS PISTOLS MSH, SAME AS MINE!

HIS HAMMER

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

In the late 70's my friend was one of a group searching for a crashed USAF aeroplane that took off from Membury and crashed at nearby Shefford Woodlands near Newbury. As I had an old deep-search Mk4B mine detector at the time, he asked me if I'd come along and help. The crash site was lined in mine tape and the search began. But there really was nothing to find except great shards of alloy and wood. Not even engines. Eventually one of the fellows unearthed some bits that were identified as loading ramps for a glider. It was a glider! We searched shallow this time and recovered zillions of bits and pieces including an ITHICA pistol still in a leather holster plus old smashed up Garand rifles etc etc and a large radio set. The pistol was still in fairly reasonable condition but jammed solid with crud and dirt. After a few days in a water tank the serial number and Ithica make were identified. A year or so later I wrote to Ithica and a lady wrote back to say that it was made on XYZ day and sent to Augusta Ordnance Depot. Just a bit interesting. None of the old weapons had ammo nor could we find any so presume that it was a training exercise. I hope that they all survived, maybe a bit shaken up!

Apparently there were loads of crashed aircraft around the old USAF base at Membury. When they were building the M4 Motorway across the remains of the airfield later, they had to stop work after uncovering aircraft wreckage carrying bombs.

[Garandrew]

Interesting story Peter, where is the Ithaca today?

[Lancer]

My Ithica's ser. # is about 3000 lower than your's. I do collect military firearms but this is the only 1911 I own and I'm only vaguely familiar with wartime 1911 production. I bought this gun from a WW2 vet who was my neighbor. He was stationed on New Guinea and brought the gun home with him at wars end. Here is a link to a thread on another forum that I posted some years ago about the gun w/pics. I would be happy to answer any questions about the gun you might have if it will help you. Opinions on my Ithaca - 1911Forum

[Lancer]

My Ithica has a ser. # right around 1270000 range, about 3500 below yours. I bought it from the WW2 vet who carried it during the war and brought it back with him at wars end. It was issued to him in1944 and sat in a draw for about 60 yrs, until he sold it to me. To the best of the vet's & my knowledge, all parts are as the gun left the factory. I would be glad to answer any questions about it you might have.

[usmc3439]

Very nice example from Ithaca! Enjoy it!