Ithaca 1911A1

Classic12 · April 23, 2021, 01:54 PM

You may know how it goes. You get the chance to buy a nice Colt 1911 A1 from 1943 (bought back in 2013 at an auction).

Then you’re thinking, it’d be nice to have another maker, like a Remington Rand, coincidentally also from 1943 (bought last year from a private seller).

Eventually you’re starting to think about an Ithaca

I was visiting an LGS here in Switzerland where I seldom go, to buy specifically a .22 lr competition pistol (Hämmerli 280 )

And I remember seeing a very nice Ithaca at his booth at a gun show back in December 2019, which I even photographed. Price was a whopping $ 2900.- then

So I asked anyway if he had any Ithaca 1911A1. Turns out he had two, one in poor condition, and the one I saw at the gun show. Even better, price was now down to $ 2500.-. And it was made in 1943 I believe.

It came home with me. It is in an amazing condition, almost like new. The only “blemish” being German proof marks that were added. I think I might not shoot this one, even if it goes against my nature.

Classic12 · April 23, 2021, 01:55 PM

The trio

Now to find a US&S

chris downs · April 23, 2021, 05:30 PM

ty for pics!

**Shane Tuttle** · April 23, 2021, 10:01 PM

Oh, I think you need to shoot that thing! If I were to buy an old Porsche, there's no reason to keep it in the garage.

Jim Watson · April 23, 2021, 10:04 PM

Never mind the Army surplus, show, shoot, and discuss the Hammerli.

lunger · April 24, 2021, 05:25 AM

Have to find a Singer as well

Beautiful collection . I could not stand at least putting a couple of mags through it.

Jim Watson · April 24, 2021, 07:50 AM

Trivia: Singer Sewing Machine was not a wartime 1911A1 contractor. They got the 500 gun "educational order" in 1940 and while they did not deliver guns until December 1941, they had most likely assembled them in November, before hostilities.

Classic12 · April 26, 2021, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

Never mind the Army surplus, show, shoot, and discuss the Hammerli.

Here an old Porsche is easier to find than an Ithaca; and spare parts are available too

Classic12 · April 26, 2021, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

Never mind the Army surplus, show, shoot, and discuss the Hammerli.

Here it is

Jim Watson · April 26, 2021, 02:33 PM

I wonder why they didn't catch on. Pardini, Walther and others have the magazine-before-trigger layout but old Hammerli 208 and 215 seem more desired than the 280.

Classic12 · April 27, 2021, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

I wonder why they didn't catch on. Pardini, Walther and others have the magazine-before-trigger layout but old Hammerli 208 and 215 seem more desired than the 280.

They did catch on in their home country of Switzerland, you still see them a lot at the range and in the classified. The 208/215 are superb pistols but the 280 is the better shooter with improved ergonomics and a lot of options to balance it according to one’s individual taste.

April 23, 2021, 01:54 PM	#1
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	Ithaca 1911A1 You may know how it goes. You get the chance to buy a nice Colt 1911 A1 from 1943 (bought back in 2013 at an auction). Then you’re thinking, it’d be nice to have another maker, like a Remington Rand, coincidentally also from 1943 (bought last year from a private seller). Eventually you’re starting to think about an Ithaca I was visiting an LGS here in Switzerland where I seldom go, to buy specifically a .22 lr competition pistol (Hämmerli 280 ) And I remember seeing a very nice Ithaca at his booth at a gun show back in December 2019, which I even photographed. Price was a whopping $ 2900.- then So I asked anyway if he had any Ithaca 1911A1. Turns out he had two, one in poor condition, and the one I saw at the gun show. Even better, price was now down to $ 2500.-. And it was made in 1943 I believe. It came home with me. It is in an amazing condition, almost like new. The only “blemish” being German proof marks that were added. I think I might not shoot this one, even if it goes against my nature.

April 23, 2021, 10:01 PM	#4
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	Oh, I think you need to shoot that thing! If I were to buy an old Porsche, there's no reason to keep it in the garage. __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

April 23, 2021, 01:55 PM	#2
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	The trio Now to find a US&S

April 23, 2021, 05:30 PM	#3
chris downs Member Join Date: January 6, 2005 Location: MO Posts: 91	ty for pics!

April 23, 2021, 10:04 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Never mind the Army surplus, show, shoot, and discuss the Hammerli.

April 24, 2021, 05:25 AM	#6
lunger Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 443	Have to find a Singer as well Beautiful collection . I could not stand at least putting a couple of mags through it.

April 24, 2021, 07:50 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Trivia: Singer Sewing Machine was not a wartime 1911A1 contractor. They got the 500 gun "educational order" in 1940 and while they did not deliver guns until December 1941, they had most likely assembled them in November, before hostilities.

April 26, 2021, 02:33 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I wonder why they didn't catch on. Pardini, Walther and others have the magazine-before-trigger layout but old Hammerli 208 and 215 seem more desired than the 280.