April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/27/2021
Wonderful, original finish Singer Manufacturing Co. 1911A1 pistol, one of only 500 units, completed in 1941 under an educational contract order. As true for all Singers, the left side of the slide, which has a well-delineated temper line, is marked with a two-line legend: "S. MFG. CO./ELIZABETH, N.J.,U.S.A." On the left side of the frame, just behind the trigger guard recess, are the initials "JKC", reflecting inspection by Col. John K. Clement, then supervisor of the NY Ordnance district, who was responsible for overseeing Singer's production. Having been struck after the gun was finished, the metal around the initials is welled-up, the finish broken in a few microscopic pinpoints by the inspection die. "P" proofs are in the usual locations on top of the slide (top of the "P" toward the rear sight), the left side of the frame, and on the left side of the barrel lug. The right side of the frame is roll marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No S800407" (407th pistol made) and "M 1911 A1 U.S.ARMY". Fitted with a milled, checkered trigger, a checkered slide release, a checkered safety, a short, wide-spur hammer with borderless checkering, and a checkered, arched mainspring housing. Correct, original, Keyes Fiber grips with no reinforcements around the screw holes and a hollow, non-reinforced, unmarked interior. Disassembly shows the fully blued barrel has a polished feed ramp, another correct detail. Fitted with a later, unmarked, matte finish magazine. CONDITION: Very good plus; bright original finish, approximately 85%, with expected holster wear and storage spotting, especially on the right side of the slide and front strap/mainspring housing. Light cycling wear on top of the chamber. Excellent original grips with crisp diamonds and no cracks. Replacement magazine is also excellent. Very bright bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. There are only a few opportunities to buy a real Singer Manufacturing Co. 1911A1 pistol, this example a "no-excuse" gun that checks every nuanced box except for the magazine, arguably the most desirable of all US military arms, and a key piece for anyone assembling an M1911/M1911A1 collection! LMA