SOLD, IMPORTANT & WELL DOCUMENTED, VERY EARLY MARCH, 1943 PRODUCTION, UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL M1911A1 SERVICE PISTOL, 8TH AIRFORCE B-17 PILOT COMBAT CARRIED, ABSOLUTLEY THE MOST AWESOME EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER SEEN!

  Pre98 has sold a considerable number of Union Switch & Signals over the past 35 plus years but none of them have ever risen to the level of this example in terms of such an early production gun, the stunning condition of the piece and the extensive and complete documentation of its combat use over the skies of Europe in one of the most storied B-17 Bomber Groups in the 8th Air Force. 

About the Pistol

In 99% mint crisp, STUNNING condition, we have a premier example and very elusive Union Switch & Signal made US WW2 1911A1 Pistol.  Realistically, this is the most sought after 1911 Pistol by collectors and is the one rare 1911 that is obtainable by any serious collector. Because of the du-lite finish, they have a very distinctive bluish look.   These pistols were made in Swissvale, PA which is a suburb of Pittsburgh, and they made the smallest number of pistols of the four WWII contractors at only around 55,000.  This is minuscule compared to the other contractors, even Ithaca made 400,000. Finding one this mint and all original is a pretty big deal!

We consider this example to be a very prime choice because the blue finish is rich and deep and the roll marking of the US&S logo is very deep and sharp; it has everything collectors would want in a nice prime example!

This pistol is a top example of a very early production pistol and was produced before March, 1943 IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST 2,000 US&S PISTOLSPRODUCED AND IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES WE HAVE HANDLED.    This pistol is 100% factory original and is in mint condition with a mint bore as well.  It of course has a High Standard barrel and an original WWII blued magazine. You will also notice the very distinctive milling on the barrel bushing that you only see on US&S production.   These pistols are almost impossible to find this nice, and you just never see examples this early in production especially this spectacular.

It’s use in WWII

This is certainly one of the best documented examples of a US WWII issued 1911a1 Service Pistol that we know of.  It was issued to 2nd Lt. Arthur C. Stipe, a B-17 co-pilot at the time and who served in the 100th Bombardment Group (heavy) which was part of the 8th Air Force Stationed in England.  This unit was known as the “Bloody 100th” and they participated in some of the most famous bombing raids of the war, including Bremen, Schweinfurt, & Regensburg.  This unit’s history is extremely well documented, and a book is included as well although there are numerous books that detail this unit’s operational history. 

In 1997 by then a retired Lt Col, Mr. Stipe sold the pistol and provided airtight provenance to a dealer in 1997.  included with the pistol and M3 shoulder holster was a notarized record of the highlights of his wartime service including information on the pistol, his bars, some patches and photos.  Groupings of this significance are rarely seen on the market these days.

This is whole grouping is highly significant from both a historical and firearm collecting standpoint and it will be of great interest to many of our clients.