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LOT 3329
Rare Unserialized World War II Singer Manufacturing Co. Prototype/Presentation Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - NSN, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish,
plastic grips. This is an extremely rare variation of the ever-desirable, World War II production, U.S. Model 1911A1 pistol which was manufactured by the Singer Manufacturing
Company. Singer was one of only a handful of companies to produce the iconic Model 1911A1 and, by many metrics, produced a higher quality final product than even Colt. Beyond
this, the fact that a sewing machine manufacturer could answer Uncle Sam’s call and produce such a fine firearm has led to the Singer Model 1911A1 becoming a tangible symbol of
the awakening America’s manufacturing might during one of the world’s darkest hours. Due to their high quality and extreme rarity, Singer Model 1911A1 pistols have steadily risen in
value, and their desirability in the 1911 and 1911A1 collectors market is unmatched. Only 500 standard production examples of these extremely rare pistols were produced for the U.S.
as part of Educational Order No. W-ORD-396 awarded on 17 April 1940. It is reported that almost all of the 500 that were produced were issued to the Army Air Corps early in World
War II. Standard production Singer 1911A1 pistols are incredibly rare in their own right, but this pistol is a true rarity, as it bears no serial number or inspector markings, meaning it
was likely intended for presentation to a high ranking official or important member of the Singer company. These guns are often referred to as presentation pieces or prototypes,
examples of which can be seen from all of the manufacturers of 1911A1 pistols. Often, they were produced at the beginning or end of production runs, or alternatively, pulled off the
production line by employees with “sticky fingers”. This example appears to have been earmarked as a presentation piece near the end of the production process, as it displays the
same high quality fitting, polish, and finish that makes the standard production Singer 1911A1 pistols stand out to collectors. The left side of the
slide bears the standard two-line Singer address, while the right of the frame has the standard U.S. property, model, and U.S. Army markings. This
example, like many of the other known presentation/prototype Singers, bears no serial number. The only other markings on the pistol are on the
original, blued Singer barrel, which is marked with a “P” on the left of the lug. It is fitted with a half-moon blade front sight, dovetailed flat top notch
rear sight, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, short milled trigger, long grip safety, wide checkered hammer, checkered arched mainspring
housing with lanyard loop, the correct original non-reinforced hollow back grips, and a correct original magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus of the original, high polish, blue finish, a few patches of scattered light spotting, and some light edge
wear. The grips are also excellent with a few light handling marks, a minor molding error at the top of the left panel, and otherwise crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 100,000 - 160,000