Ithaca 1911a1 Navy question

[cplnorton]

I have an Ithaca 1911a1 that is in a serial number block sold to the US Navy. Has anyone ever researched on where these pistols went? Did these mostly stay with the Navy, or were these also purchased by the Navy for issue to the Marines.

Just curious on this since as the Marine Corps is a department of the Navy, I know the Marines get a lot of equiptment and gear through Navy channels. At least it was like that when I was in.

Thanks in advance guys.

[Johnny P]

On about 98% of the 1911A1 pistols the trail ends with the information as to where it was originally shipped. The Navy probably has the better records as the pistols tended to be more static and in smaller groups, where army shipped pistols were transferred from place to place as they were needed. Most of the records exist as only a notation that the pistol was at a location on a certain date.

[cplnorton]

Does anyone here have a copy of Navy records on 1911a1's? Does serial number 1878734 ring a bell to anyone with a SRS?

[Johnny P]

Shipped to Naval Supply Depot, Norfolk, Virginia, on September 21, 1944 as a 4400 pistol shipment to the Navy on that date.
The Navy shipped Ithaca pistols are an interesting variation, with some 25,000 being shipped directly to Norfolk.

[Scott Gahimer]

And the OP's pistol would even be more interesting if we could see it.

[smoky]

I have one. Ithaca ser# 2094926. Acording to Clawson's book it was shipped 17 Nov 44 to Officer in charge Naval supply Depot, Oakland, Ca.
I think the total shipped was 7000

[cplnorton]

Here are the pics of mine. I about cry everytime I see it. But it's way better than what it was when I got it. I bought it about 4 years ago at a local gun shop. The poor thing was a bright blue buffed finish. It was just sad. I paid nearly nothing for it, brought it home. Stripped off the blue, and reparked it using an old stainless steel pot on my barbecue grill. I then black oxided all the small parts to make them have the proper contrasting finish. Then rust salt blued the barrel. All the parts were correct when I got it. Just some bubba decided it would look way better blued.

It doesn't really have much collector value now, but still is one of my favorite 1911's just because I at least "tried" to restore it to the original condition. It was the first gun I had ever parked, and got me started on restoring firearms. I've restored a lot since then. It's still just sad because it is such an interesting peice, just too bad some bubba got to it before me.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/cplnorton2/097.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/cplnorton2/095.jpg

[SloopJohnB]

cplnorton,

It may not be a collectible, but it sure looks nice. Obviously you enjoy it, and I'll bet it shoots well. Hard to beat that!

[hink441]

I think it looks pretty good, and I would love to have her in my safe. Good job.

[John HOLBROOK]

THIS ITHACA WAS SHIPPED TO THE OFFICER IN CHARGE, U.S. NAVAL SUPPLY DEPOT, OAKLAND, CA. ON 24 MAY, 1944.

It is all original.... Note the early ringless Keyes stocks...

http://www.fototime.com/%7BACB26149-C832-4D12-9A91-C9CE13DF7467%7D/origpict/DSC00265.JPG

[cplnorton]

That's a nice one John!

[hink441]

Chief, I sure do love your pistols.

[John HOLBROOK]

Here is another Navy Ithaca.... Note the rack number which was typical for Navy small arms...

http://www.fototime.com/%7B32E65548-6E7A-43F1-868A-D2D920731A8F%7D/origpict/Ith%20Navy%202.JPG

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF4E9116F-690E-449F-8081-6FD71359185E%7D/origpict/Ith%20Navy%201.JPG

Speaking of rack numbers, here is a shot of me taken aboard ship preflighting a mission. Note the painted number on the back strap of the Victory Model, again typical of Navy small arms, and BTW my grandson in Florida now is the proud owner of this rig!!!!! I forgot to turn it in!!!!

http://www.fototime.com/%7BC3089857-D8EC-42B5-AB09-725F1197DAEE%7D/origpict/DSC01126%5B1%5D.jpg