Page 352 - 88-BOOK2

LOT 1396
Rare World War II U.S. Singer Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. S800392, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. This is a rare example of an authentic World War II pistol manufactured
by the Singer Manufacturing Company under the Ordnance Educational Order No. W-ORD-396. Singer completed the Educational Order in December 1941. Most of the 500 Singer Model 1911A1 pistols were apparently issued to the U.S. Army Air Corps. The pistol has the original wide spur hammer with borderless checkering and checkered thumb safety, slide stop, trigger and main spring housing. The replacement brown plastic, checkered, grips have no external reinforcement rings or internal reinforcement ribs. 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. The right side of the frame is stamped: “UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No S800392” in two lines behind the behind the slide stop hole and “M 1911 A1 U.S.ARMY” in a single line in front of it. 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. There are small British proofs on the right side of the frame and slide. The replacement barrel has been mostly polished and is unmarked except for a “P” proofmark on the left side of the lug. The replacement magazine is blued and “R” marked. Includes a plastic hard case. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, some patches of light surface pitting, and numerous minor tool/takedown marks scattered throughout. The barrel, barrel bushing, and magazine are non-Singer replacements. The professionally made replacement grips are near new with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A fine representative example of a rare Singer Model 1911A1 pistol!
Estimate: 55,000 - 85,000
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