Paul
Krokovic CollectionUnion Switch and Signal Model
1911A1 serial number EXP No 94 - One of approximately 100 trial run
receivers, slides and other component parts were manufactured prior to full
production to set up and try out the manufacturing equipment. These
receivers were later assembled with slides and other parts from prevailing
production, and numbered 1 to about 100. The markings and finish on these
pistols were not consistent, as they were assembled by three or four
different machinists. Consequently, the markings may feature a large or
small ampersand (&) symbol, and an No or NO serial number prefix. Some are
buffed and blued (Du-Lite bluing); some are blued but not buffed; some are
buffed and blued with the top of the slide sand blasted; and some are blued
over a sand blasted surface resembling a parkerized finish.
This pistol features a sand blasted blue finish, and all component parts
are U.S.& S. It exhibits the proper marking with a small ampersand symbol,
and both markings are identical. The finger clearance cuts behind the
trigger are the proper semielliptical shape exclusive to US&S and Singer
(other pistols feature half-moon shapes). A grind mark extends diagonally
across the right side of the receiver, observed on most preproduction
receivers.
Other U.S. & S. EXP pistols reported or known:
| 10 |
reportedly buffed and blued (polished) |
| 16 |
reportedly buffed and blued |
| 19 |
reportedly buffed and blued |
| 21 |
blued but not buffed |
| 38 |
buffed and blued |
| 61 |
reportedly parkerized |
| 65 |
buffed and blued |
| 75 |
no information |
| 81 |
buffed and blued with sand blasted top of slide |
| 89 |
no information |
| 94 |
sand blasted blue with small ampersand symbol |
| 98 |
buffed and blued |
Information from letter by Charles Clawson
 Left side slide markings - USS Logo
plus U.S. & S. CO., SWISSVALE, PA. U.S.A.
 Close-up of right side showing the
markings "U S & S CO" over "EXP No 94". |
