Ithaca M1 1911 A1 heirloom

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AxlMyk

New member
I received this from my father. He was a pilot during WWII.
A treasure to me.

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Fantastic!

And God Bless your dad for his courage and bravery. Part of "The Greatest Generation," like my father who fought in France during the Bulge.
 
Mostly I don't really get the collector genre, but this one is an exception.
And Bless your father.
Mine was too old for the WW2 draft, especially with a wife, two kids, a ward and having a sole prop business that supported us all.
But he was a Civil Defense volunteer and worked the night shift helping to build aircraft.
(I still have some of his tools, a few of them home made).
The Greatest Generation lived up to their name.
Cherish your Dad's gift to you.
 
That's quite a treasure.

My great grandfather served in WWI (for Italy), but his bayonet collection and all his other relics have been thrown away, lost, or sold off by other family members.

Don't store it in the holster, as it may promote rust.
 
What a wonderful thing to have in the family. I lost my dad a few months ago, and I treasure a couple of firearms of his even more now. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII also, but as a mechanic and instrument specialist on the B-17 Flying Fortress. We had to coax him to stand when veterans were recognized on holidays; he would say, "But I never got shot at."
 
That is a great heirloom to pass on to your kids. Your father has given you more than just a gun and holster. He has given you a piece of history, a piece of his history. Treasure it, take care of it while it is in your care and pass it on for the next generation. Also you may want to write down his stories so you can pass them on to. The stories would give context to the history of that time which I feel may not be taught in schools like it should. When my step-son was in school the teacher who was teaching WWII supported the Germans. Little did she know that my father served in the Infantry during WWII in Europe and she was put in her place more than once.
 
Fantastic...an heirloom for sure...and I'm sure you know to keep it well oiled, inside and out and NEVER store it in that old Tanker chest holster. . . Well done, treasure it as you do your dad. Rod
 
It is a treasure. Did he tell you how he managed to obtain it, or shall I use nice words and say how he liberated it from the U.S. Government?

Seeing your pistol irritates the itch many of us are having for a M1911A1 in the future CMP Sales.
 
An older cousin gave his to my Dad many years ago and now I have it. It was issued to him in 1944.

It had already been to the arsenal, so it has an Ithaca frame and a Remington Rand slide.

Looks identical to the one you pictured.

lamarw: do a little research before you indirectly accuse some one of stealing.
 
There were some sold by the depot many years later (I think the price at one point was $27.50). None were ever given to a soldier, sailor, marine or airman that I have ever heard of or read about.

If I am wrong, please prove me wrong. I will then apologize. Many were liberated by service members and in some ways they saved one from being destroyed.

To the best of my knowledge, issued meant it was assigned but certainly not given to them. They were the property of the U.S. Government and the taxpayers of the United States.

I have been assigned/issued a lot of firearms while serving in the U.S. Army. They were on the property books and had to be turned back into the arms room. While in Nam, I carried a Remington Rand M1911A1 and a M-16. I had to turn both back in prior departing my assignment

If you ever want to go through HELL, have a firearm disappear or lost in a peace time environment. Yes, they were lost and destroyed during combat. Some were liberated but I am sure it was written up lost in combat.

General Officers are issued pistols once they obtain their rank of a One Star General, but upon retirement they have to either turn in the pistol or pay back the set price for the gun to the Government. This repays the taxpayer.

Dufus, Did you ever ask your older Cousin how he obtained your Father's pistol?
 
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No, I never did ask him as I didn't know he had it. He was murdered 6 years ago at age 93, so I can't verify first hand.

According to my Dad, the cousin bought it as surplus with a certificate signed by his CO. I am sure if there was a certificate in his possession, it was lost in the fire with everything else. That's all I know and I have no reason to dispute it.

He did his time, and a terrible time it was. My Dad was only 17 yr old when the war ended, so he did not serve that one, but was active before and during the Korean conflict.
 
No one is going to get in trouble for having a liberated M1911 or A1 this day in age.

I believe I am correct about what I have posted in this thread. I am willing to live and learn if anyone can verify otherwise.

I did not make my comment to accuse anyone of stealing or calling them a thief. It is a part of a collectible firearms' past and usually an interesting story. It should be documented if possible. I like to document everything I can find out about the pre-owned firearms I own. I guess it comes from being an antique clock/watch collector. The research and documentation is part of the hobby of collecting.

I am a fan of your deceased Cousin if he served our Nation. I am not aware of any Commanding Officer having the authority to sell firearms to troops under their command.

I own a Colt M1911 delivered to the Government in 1918. I suspect it as also liberated since there are no Arsenal marking other that the original Government acceptance markings. I purchased it legally and the sell was processed through the NICS procedures using a Form 4473. I also acquired a Colt Certificate with the production and delivery information pertaining to my old war horse.
 
My only living grandfather my moms side is still alive and flew P51 in WWII and the f86(Korea) not sure if in country or not. He still plays golf 3 times a week at 93 or more. I know he's never owned a gun at home. My other grandfather flew the B17 stateside during the WWII and took me out shooting guns all the time. My grandparents I will always miss and my dead girls(2 dogs Australian Cattle Dogs) as well. I won't miss guns I've sold though thoughts of em always ring in my mind. Life is so short
 
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