This is an exceptional example of a Model 1911A1 Automatic Pistol that was from the 500 pistols manufactured by the Singer Manufacturing Co., under Educational Order W-ORD-396 in 1940. The 500 Singer pistols were issued primarily to U.S. Army Air Corps squadrons. The pistol has the unique, high gloss, Du-Lite, blue finish found only on Singer M1911A1 pistols. The Keyes Fibre stocks are checkered, brown plastic and lack the reinforcing rings around the screw holes and interior strengthening ribs found on later production Keyes stocks. The pistol has a milled trigger with checkered face, short, wide spur hammer and checkered slide stop, safety lock and main spring housing. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped: "S. MFG. CO./ELIZABETH, N.J.,U.S.A." in two lines. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/M1911 A1 U.S.ARMY". The serial number: "NoS800221" stamped below the property mark. The serial numbers show the slight misalignment that is typical of Singer M1911A1 pistols. The left side of the frame is stamped with the "JKC" final inspection mark of Colonel John K. Clement Commander of the New York Ordnance District. A "P" proof mark is stamped on the left side of the frame above the magazine release, on the top of the slide between the ejection port and the front sight (the "P" faces left) and on the left side of the barrel lug. The barrel has a full blue finish and the only marking is the "P" proof mark. The pistol is complete with three magazines with high polish, full blue finish and over-size floor-plate pins. This pistol is accompanied by a notarized letter from the consignor. The letter explains how the consignors father, 1 st Lt. Charles H. Clark, was a pilot in the U.S. Air Corps during WWII. Prior to his military service, Lt. Clark was a pilot for the U.S. Navy Reserve stationed on an aircraft carrier in Long Beach, California. He worked as a test pilot for North American Aviation in 1941, joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 stationed at Burtonwood Air Depot in England. On May 11, 1943 he piloted a B17F out of Bovington Field, England to Iceland to recover bodies and papers from the crash of a B24 which crashed on May 3, 1943. In the crash the pilot, co-pilot, 4 crewmen and 8 passengers were killed, the only survivor was the tail gunner, who escaped with only minor injuries. Among the recovered items by Lt. Clark was this Singer pistol which had been in his possession until October 7, 1958 when it was passed on to the consignor who has owned it since. Also with the pistol are 4 photographs of Lt. Clark, a section of the periodical "Take Off". North American Aviation Inc. of Texas, September 11, 1941 with an article about Clark, a copy of an individual flight record of 1st Lt. Clark for the month of May (year not recorded, writer assumes 1943, the month of the recovery) and a copy of an internet fact sheet with the summary of the circumstances of the crash of the on B-24 May 3, 1943 in Iceland.

Excellent plus. The pistol retains 99% of the original high polish Du-Lite finish. Wear is limited to some minor finish loss on the slide at the muzzle and on the forward edges of the frame. The barrel has minor cycling wear on the chamber and a bright bore. The Keyes Fibre stocks are in excellent condition. The Singer markings on the left side of the slide are crisp and deep. The serial number and U.S. markings on the right side of the frame are crisp. The "P" proof marks on the slide and frame and the "JKC" final inspection mark on the frame have correct raised, bright, edges. All three magazines are in excellent condition with at least 95% of the blue finish. This is an exceptional example of a rare Singer M1911A1 Pistol with an interesting documented history. A Singer Model 1911A1 is the key piece in any advanced Model 1911/1911A1 or U.S. martial pistol collection.