The M1911A1 was functional but basic, and in the last 75 years many brands have offered their own twist. Nearly 1.9 million 1911A1 pistols were built during the war. Each of the brands had unique roll stamps that identified the gun’s maker, model, patent numbers, and noted that the pistols were U.S. A number of manufacturers were building them including Colt, Ithaca Gun Company, Remington Rand, Singer and Union Switch & Signal. Ithaca guns are popular among trap shooters and hunters around the world.By 1943, World War II M1911A1s featured brown plastic grip panels and a Parkerized finish. Today, the Ithaca Gun Company is stronger than ever and still produces quality shotguns and M1911 pistols. The company has changed ownership several times over the previous fifty years and has weathered tough financial times. The last family member passed, and the company was sold. The Ithaca Gun Company remained in the family of founding member Leroy Smith until 1967. Subsequently, they introduced the Model 49 single-shot rifle and the Ithaca Model 72 lever-action rifle. In 1958, the Ithaca Gun Company introduced the Model X5 Lightning semi-automatic. In the late 1950s, the Ithaca Gun Company finally decided to add rifles to its catalog. However, the company produced a version of the Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol to fulfill government wartime contracts. Shotgun production gave Ithaca Gun Company well deserved recognition.

Before introducing the Model 37, the Ithaca Gun Company had produced only breech-loading, multi-barreled shotguns. However, the Model 37 found its way to trench warfare in World War II.īrowning was a firearms designer by trade and was the first to develop a pump-action shotgun. It was meant to be used as a rugged sporting shotgun. In the late 1930s, the Ithaca Gun Company made a name for itself by introducing the Ithaca Model 37. The Model 37 was constructed from the designs of John Moses Browning. Because of his background in designing and building shotguns, it was only natural that the Ithaca Gun Company's primary focus was shotgun development. In 1880, Baker decided to sell Baker Gun & Forging and formed a partnership to open the Ithaca Gun Company. As the founder of Baker Gun & Forging, he had designed and patented his shotgun designs sold through the Sears & Roebuck catalog across the United States. The founding partner William Henry Baker had deep roots in building quality shotguns.

Ithaca 1911 price guide