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Here is one of the 55,000 pistols Union Switch & Signal made in 1943 in serial range 1041405-1096404. They were all Du-Lite blue. There are only a few sub-variations in such a small run of pistols.
Some used early, no ring Keyes Fibre stocks; others used later production small ring stocks. None of the US&S pistols were struck with the Ordnance Acceptance crossed cannons, but all were marked with the same circled R.C.D. final inspection. US&S hammers, triggers, mainspring housings, thumb safeties and barrel bushing all have distinct characteristics that identify them as US&S. The slide stops and grip safeties are primarily identifed by surface preparation and finish only. While contours may be similar, I am not sure that they are all identical.
Approximately the first 18-19K pistols did not receive any "P" proofs. Then, approximately the next 18-20K pistols had matching "P" proofs, but the "P" on the slide was generally off-center, and often struck just above the cocking serrations on the left-hand side of the slide. This 1st variation "P" proof slide marking is sometimes referred to as a "hanging P". By about 1080000, the "P" proof location on the slides started being centered up, just in front of the rear sight, as applied by the other manufacturers.
This pistol, s/n 1073123, is what some refer to as a 2nd variation US&S, with the hanging P. It's one of the nicer ones I'd acquired over the years. I recently acquired one that's a little better in the same serial range, so I let a friend buy this one. No, I won't say what he paid. If he wants people knowing his business, he may say. Anyway, here are a few pictures.
Some used early, no ring Keyes Fibre stocks; others used later production small ring stocks. None of the US&S pistols were struck with the Ordnance Acceptance crossed cannons, but all were marked with the same circled R.C.D. final inspection. US&S hammers, triggers, mainspring housings, thumb safeties and barrel bushing all have distinct characteristics that identify them as US&S. The slide stops and grip safeties are primarily identifed by surface preparation and finish only. While contours may be similar, I am not sure that they are all identical.
Approximately the first 18-19K pistols did not receive any "P" proofs. Then, approximately the next 18-20K pistols had matching "P" proofs, but the "P" on the slide was generally off-center, and often struck just above the cocking serrations on the left-hand side of the slide. This 1st variation "P" proof slide marking is sometimes referred to as a "hanging P". By about 1080000, the "P" proof location on the slides started being centered up, just in front of the rear sight, as applied by the other manufacturers.
This pistol, s/n 1073123, is what some refer to as a 2nd variation US&S, with the hanging P. It's one of the nicer ones I'd acquired over the years. I recently acquired one that's a little better in the same serial range, so I let a friend buy this one. No, I won't say what he paid. If he wants people knowing his business, he may say. Anyway, here are a few pictures.
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