SOLD - Scarce Union Switch & Signal M1911A1

5/9/19 - This is a rare Union Switch & Signal made 1911A1 from 1943 in very good, original condition. The serial dates this pistol to October of that year, which is very late in the production period, and part of the final shipment of these pistols. It is all original and correct with about 92-93% dulite finish remaining. The slide is very nice overall but there are two areas along the top that show finish loss and appear as if some type of liquid got on the slide.  Otherwise, there is standard edge and high point thinning.  Proper proof marks include P on slide and RCD inspector proof on frame. Concentric circles on the barrel bushing. HS marked barrel. 'R' marked magazine.  Excellent grips.  Unfortunately the bore on this one wasn't well cared for, as there is notable freckling throughout.  

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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. We are told these were issued to the Army Air Corps during the war.