This is a vary rare example of an early pre-production Union Switch and Signal Company M1911A1 pistol. These pistols were the initial pre-production manufactured pistols that were used to set up and prove-out the new production line for the US Army contract. It is stated that approximately 100 sets of parts were originally produced that were later assembled (at the end of the WWII) into complete pistols and presented to high level company officials and select individuals within the government. These pistols exhibited a wide degree of surface machining, finishing, fit and polishing, ranging from crude to those rivaling a commercial model, with this specific pistol exhibiting an exceptionally smooth machining and high polish blued finish overall that certainly rivals any commercial pistol. Since these pistol were never intended to be presented or formally accepted by the military, they lack all U.S. Government proof and acceptance marks. Consequently, the only markings they have are on the right side of the frame, which is marked "US & S CO/EXP No 99" and on the left side of the slide that is roll-marked with the intertwined US&S logo followed by the two-line block that reads "U.S. & S. CO./SWISSVALE, PA. U.S.A." with no other factory markings. It has the mid-war configured parts such as the checkered slide stop and thumb safety, the long grip safety, the arched and checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop, narrow hammer with full borderless checkering to the edge of the spur and a correct late production High Standard contract barrel. The grips are the correct early wartime versions without the ring around the grip screws, that were manufactured by the "Keyes-Fibre" company. The back side of each grip is correctly marked with a small five point star with a letter "K" inside the star with a single mold number (10 and 13) also along with the reinforcing ribs. It is complete with an all blued WWII magazine manufactured by the Risdon Company that has a capital "R" on the lip of the base plate.

Outstanding like-new condition with 99% of the bright presentation grade factory high polish blue finish overall. The grips are in 98% plus condition with the only wear spot being on the lower left grip panel by the grip screw that has a small pressure dent, probably from a holster stub. Just a super high condition all original, Presentation Grade Union Switch & Signal M1911A1 "EXP No99".