Union Switch & Signal EXP No. 89
1943 Production
The 100 US&S EXP series pistols were experimental models requested by
Ordnance prior to full production. Although the slides had the standard
US&S markings, the frames were crudely hand-stamped and did not carry
the final RCD inspector cartouche. Most EXP pistols were either
Parkerized or Du-Lite blued over sandblasting; a small number were
polished to a glossy Du-Lite blue appearance. The polished blue
pistols have a prominent area of buffing on the right side of frame
where the United States Property and M1911A1 U.S. Army markings
were removed.
EXP No. 89 is finished in the deep, glossy Du-Lite blue reminiscent
of the Singer. There is prima facie evidence of buffing and polishing:
rounded edges, partially obliterated machining lines, and shallow slide
markings. As described in a
letter accompanying the pistol, an area of
buffing can be appreciated on the right aspect of frame where the USP mark
used to occupy. A residual "Y" is seen where unskilled personnel attempted
to buff away the M1911A1 U.S. ARMY marking. Barrel is Springfield
replacement with an S and P stamped on left lug and ordnance wheel partially
stamped on right. The feedramp is blued-over, yet characteristically diplays
the horizontal machine lines observed on production models. Curiously, the
Keyes grips are of later flavor with reinforcement rings present.
This pistol has a mint bore and appears nearly new, consistent with
speculation that the small number of glossy blue EXP pistols may have
been presentation pieces.
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