This is a very nice example of a very early U.S. Army contract pistol as produced by the Ithaca Gun Company in early 1943. This specific pistol was actually produced as part of the first U.S. Army contract that Ithaca had. This pistol was assembled using a reclaimed WWI Model 1911 Colt receiver that is marked with a "H", "G" and "H" on top of the frame ahead of the hammer. The left side of the slide is marked "ITHACA GUN CO. INC / ITHACA N.Y." and the top of the slide has a single "P" proof in front of the rear sight. The left side of the frame is marked "FJA" for Frank J. Atwood, the U.S. Government Inspector and a single "P" proof next to the magazine catch release button. The right side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" over the serial number and the front end is marked "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY". There is a crossed-cannon Ordnance proof by the hammer pin hole. It has a correct wartime barrel manufactured by the High Standard Company and marked "HS" and "P" on the right and left sides of the lugs respectively. It has a checkered slide stop trigger, thumb safety, narrow hammer, magazine release and arched mainspring housing with lanyard ring on the heel and the correct "L" marked blue contract magazine. The grips are also the correct wartime versions manufactured by the "Keyes-Fibre" Company that have a single five pointed star with a "K" inside and a single mold number, both located on the inside of the grips, along with the correct reinforcing ribs. This pistol is pictured on page 108 of Edward S. Meadows' book "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols", Volume II.

Excellent. The pistol retains 98% of the original parkerized finish with minimal wear on the muzzle end of the slide and some very minor thinning on the front strap. The grips are as new. The markings are sharp. The mechanics are excellent.