OLD COLT: WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR OLD COLT GUNS.
This Ithaca M1911A1 is an early production example with the serial numbers starting at 856561. Shipping destinations on these early pistols are hard to trace as Ithaca had an out of sequence manufacturing process for the serial numbers.
This pistol belonged to Lt. Henry F. Genther, 1st Lieutenant, 532 Bombardment Squadron, 381st Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Forces. He was awarded the distinguished flying cross while serving as a Pilot of a B-17 on 25 bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. His award states that "Displaying great courage and skill, Lieutenant Genther, has materially aided in the success of each of the twenty-five missions and his actions are an inspiring example for his fellow flyers. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Lieutenant Genther on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
This particular Ithaca is built using a leftover receiver from WWI. In December of 1942 Springfield Armory shipped 6,200 surplus receivers so that Ithaca could meet their production schedule. The majority of these were unfinished Colt receivers but some were refurbished with assembly and acceptance marks. Pistols are observed in this range from 856405 to about 870000. They are able to be identified by the letter "H" stamped at the 12 o'clock position from the disconnector hole and often the heart shaped cut-outs seen under the grip panels.
The inspector stamp of FJA is for Colonel Frank J. Atwood. He was the Army Inspector of Ordnance at the Rochester Ordnance District from June 15th, 1942 to March 31st, 1946. He would inspect the total production of the M1911A1 pistols manufactured by Remington Rand and Ithaca.
