All right, 1911a1 guru's, need some help??

[bombadillo]

I got a 1943 ithaca serial number 127168x It has a number one on the port side trigger guard toward the top, M1911 A1 US ARMY on the frame, United States Property above the serial number, 7 rib rear grip, extended beaver tail that looks bone stock, on the safety side, it has a P below the magazine release, an idiot mark, FJA for the armorers initials, Ithaca gun company on the slide with Ithaca NY as well. a symbol on the trigger guard on the safety side that I cannot make out, it looks like an arrow facing up and down at the same time telling you to go up and down if that makes sense. The top of the slide is marked with a P as well, and it all appears to be original except the trigger which is an aftermarket adjustable. I am trying to get a value and I know pics will help, but my crappy camera phone just isn't helping at all. I wanted it and got it for 600 bucks and even if its just a shooters grade, thats all right with me, i'd rather have a piece of history than a new rock island armory any day of the week. The big mystery to me is that on the frame on the port side, behind the grip there is a faint stamp that looks like a springfield armory crest or some kind of circle with 2 things crossing in the middle but I just can't make it out. I'm trying to figure out both history, and rough value so any help would be nice. I've scoured the 1911 forums and gone through coolguyguns and all kinds of usgi related websites for info and with no avail. I'll have pics up as soon as I can take them with my wife's camera.

[bombadillo]

and pics:

This is the weird marking that I am not sure what it means???

Second unknown mark which I couldn't find anywhere on the web


And let me know if you want to see it or not, but there's a P on the slide in front of the rear sight and one more right under the mag release.
And you can tell I don't care if you see the serial number or not I guess.

[bombadillo]

Sorry about the excess clp on the thing, its just oily right now, not discolored or messed up in any way.

[RECCE556]

Well let me give you the bad news, the slide has been modified permanently (flared ejection port) and that pretty much kills any collector's value.

The Frame looks untouched but w/o seeing it in my hand, I can't say for sure...most likely refinished. Rough value is what someone is willing to pay for it. I've found 100% correct/original Ithaca's in decent shape for $1200. Generally, they're not worth as much as a Colt or a US&S but if you could find a similar year un-modified slide and the correct trigger you could build up a "correct" mix-master which would make it worth a little more than its current configuration. For true collectors value, it needs to unmodifed (no refinish, no 'smithing, no upgrades). The only "modified" ones worth some money are the arsenal rebuilt ones and those are still worth less than a not-that-great condition original.

The hammer might not be original as well as the thumb safety. It wouldn't surprise me if this was ready a mix-master.

The mark next to the trigger guard is one of the many "odd" markings that Ithaca used for proofing. The "Springfield Armory" cross cannon mark is a Arsenal acceptance mark, which is common...as is the fact that it's a "half-stamp" (not fully stamped...again, normal)

$600 isn't bad considering what people are willing to pay for a RIA (and I agree with you on buying a beater USGI vs. a factory RIA). Personally, if this was my gun, I would send it out to a good 'smith and have it "BBQ'd". I have a horribly molested USGI Colt that I'm going to BBQ one of these days...I think the frame and slide will be the only original parts left on my USGI Colt once it's done.

[bombadillo]

Now what makes you say the hammer and safety would be different? In real life, they appear exactly the same finish and looked up the serrations and that all seems to be correct. Just curious?

[RECCE556]

Ah, maybe it was the photo...the colors looked off on them compared to the other parts...

[dfletcher]

The circular stamping on the right rear of the frame looks a bit like the CMP (or DCM, can't keep the initials straight) stamp I just peeled off an old 40X stock. Just an initial impression, wouldn't bet any $$$ on it, especially if it's absolutely for certain an Ithaca proof mark as described.

[tankerman]

I agree, send it out for work.

Strip any remaining original parts and sell them over at 1911forum.

Well let me give you the bad news, the slide has been modified permanently (flared ejection port) and that pretty much kills any collector's value.

The Frame looks untouched but w/o seeing it in my hand, I can't say for sure...most likely refinished. Rough value is what someone is willing to pay for it. I've found 100% correct/original Ithaca's in decent shape for $1200. Generally, they're not worth as much as a Colt or a US&S but if you could find a similar year un-modified slide and the correct trigger you could build up a "correct" mix-master which would make it worth a little more than its current configuration. For true collectors value, it needs to unmodifed (no refinish, no 'smithing, no upgrades). The only "modified" ones worth some money are the arsenal rebuilt ones and those are still worth less than a not-that-great condition original.

The hammer might not be original as well as the thumb safety. It wouldn't surprise me if this was ready a mix-master.

The mark next to the trigger guard is one of the many "odd" markings that Ithaca used for proofing. The "Springfield Armory" cross cannon mark is a Arsenal acceptance mark, which is common...as is the fact that it's a "half-stamp" (not fully stamped...again, normal)

$600 isn't bad considering what people are willing to pay for a RIA (and I agree with you on buying a beater USGI vs. a factory RIA). Personally, if this was my gun, I would send it out to a good 'smith and have it "BBQ'd". I have a horribly molested USGI Colt that I'm going to BBQ one of these days...I think the frame and slide will be the only original parts left on my USGI Colt once it's done.