This is an extremely rare example of a M1911A1 Automatic pistol that was manufactured by the Singer manufacturing Company of Elizabeth, New, Jersey as part under Educational Order No. W-ORD-396. This was the 499th pistol manufactured in 500-pistol contract (second to the last). The pistol has the distinctive, high polish, Du-Lite, blue finish on the slide, frame and barrel and is fitted with the original checkered, brown plastic, Keyes Fibre stocks. The stocks lack reinforcing rings around the screw holes and lack the internal strengthening ribs and mold numbers found on WWII production Keyes stock. The pistol has the original Singer barrel; the only marking is a block "P" proof mark stamped on the left side of the barrel lug. The pistol has the correct short, wide-spur, hammer and checkered main spring housing. The pistol is complete with three rare Singer magazines. The magazines have a high polish blue or Du-Lite finish, over-size pins in the bases and unmarked floor plates. The left side of the side is roll-stamped with the Singer address: "S. MFG. CO./ELIZABETH, N.J., U.S.A." in two lines. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No 800499" in two lines behind the slide stop hole. "M 1911 A1 U.S. ARMY" is roll stamped in a single line in front of the slide stop hole. The top of the slide is stamped with a "P" proof mark between the rear sight and the ejection port. The "P", correctly, faces the rear sight. The left side of the frame is stamped with the "JKC" Ordnance final inspection stamped that was used only on Singer Educational Contract M1911A1 pistols and a "P" proof mark. The pistol is complete with a WWI production M1916 Holster for the M1911/M1911A1 pistol, a russet leather Army magazine pouch marked "BOYT-46" containing two flat-base magazines. The pistol is complete with a hand-written statement from the original owner dated "6/3/63" that states he was issued this pistol in January 1942 while stationed at West Overfield, Massachusetts and retained the pistol on discharge in October, 1945. The letter further states that the owner never used the pistol "in any manner" from his service discharge until the date of sale.

Very fine. The pistol retains approximately 90% of the original Du-Lite finish. There is light-moderate holster wear on the forward edges on the slide and frame and some edge wear and light finish loss on the sides of the slide. The Du-Lite finish on the grip strap and front of the trigger guard is thin and there is edge wear on the back strap. The main spring housing has a gray patina. The barrel retains about 75% of the Du-Lite finish with thinning on the muzzle and the top of the chamber. The bore shows firing wear but is bright and free from pitting. The side has been slightly modified by milling a beveled cut at the rear of the ejection port. The is modification was made by a subsequent owner after the 1963 sale to enable the pistol to function better when firing wadcutter target ammunition. The milled area has been carefully reblued and does not detract from the overall appearance of the pistol. Two of the magazines are in excellent condition with about 95% or more of the original Du-Lite finish. The third magazine is in very good condition with about 75% of the original Du-Lite finish. The holster, magazine pouch and spare magazines are all in good condition with moderate handling wear. This is a very fine, original, example of a rare and desirable Singer M1911A1 Automatic pistol with three original Singer magazines. Although the slide has an old shooter-modification, the pistol has no collector repairs or alterations and has most of the original finish and Singer components.