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LOT 1435
Rare Augusta Arsenal Refurbished World War II U.S. Singer Model 1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. S800326, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, brown
plastic checkered grips. This is a rare example of one of the 500 Model 1911A1 Pistols manufactured
by the Singer Manufacturing Company during WWII under the Ordnance Educational Order No.
W-ORD-396. Under this contract only 500 pistols total wereproduced by the Singer Manufacturing
Company. It has been theorized that almost all of the 500 Singer Model 1911A1 pistols were issued
to the U.S. Army Air Corps, and, with the very low total number produced, examples are very scarce.
This specific pistol is somewhat unique as most example retain their blued finish indicating little or
no harsh use during the war; however, this specific pistol has been parkerized by Augusta Arsenal (with
the left side bearing the correct “AA” mark) very early after World War II. The cleaning process that was used
was an extremely fine media that left the metal surfaces smooth with a nice parkerized finish similar to the dulite finish. This process left the pistol
with clear sharp markings overall. The pistol has the wide spur hammer with borderless checkering and checkered thumb safety, slide stop, trigger
and main spring housing. The replacement brown plastic, checkered grips are the US&S Keyes Fibre without external reinforcing rings but with interior ribs and mold markings. The left side of the pistol slide is roll-stamped with the Singer name and address: “S. MFG.CO./ELIZABETH, N.J., U.S.A.” in two lines just ahead of the slide serrations. The top of the slide is stamped with a “P” proofmark that is oriented toward the left side of the slide. The slide is correctly
not stamped with the pistol serial number. The right side of the frame is stamped: “UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No S800326” in two lines, with “M 1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” towards the front of the frame. The left side of the frame is stamped with the “JKC” initials of Col. John
K. Clement, the executive officer of the New York Ordnance District. A “P” proofmark is stamped on the left side of the frame immediately above the magazine release. The blued barrel is the later pattern produced by the High Standard Company and is marked “HS” on the right side of the lug and has a single “P” proofmark on the left side. The pistol has a late production, all blued magazine marked with a single “S” on the lip. Also includes an extra full blue “C-R” (Risdon Tool & Machine) marked magazine. Interestingly this Augusta Arsenal refurbished Singer is only 4 serial numbers away from the only other arsenal refurbished Singer RIAC has ever sold. That Singer pistol is serial number S800330, and was refurbished at the Rock Island Arsenal and sold in our August 2023 Premier auction.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with 98% of the Augusta Arsenal parkerized finish remaining with just minor edge and high spot wear overall. The barrel retains 99% of its blued finish showing only minor on top of the chamber area from being cycled a few times. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. This is an exceptional example of an extreme rarity and highly desirable U.S. Singer Model 1911A1 pistol!
Estimate: 35,000 - 50,000
1 of 500 manufactured by
Singer in World War II for U.S. Contract, produced as part of order number W-ORD-396, awarded April 17, 1940.
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