Bullseye-L Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Bullseye-L Forum

A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting


Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

4 posters

Bullseye-L Forum :: Equipment Discussion

Go down

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? Empty Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

Post by gwhite 6/18/2021, 8:59 am

I just obtained a 1911 previously owned by elderly target shooter.  It's got a GI slide & frame, with issues sights, but it was clearly worked on by somebody who knew what they were doing.  The slide is a very tight fit on the frame.  With the slide closed, there's only a tiny (very tiny) bit of play if you push down on the barrel hood.   

The only unusual marking I could find were the initials "FGA" stamped just above the magazine release.  I'm guessing those are the initials of the gunsmith that built it.   The pistol was probably built in the 1960's or 1970's, and assuming they were local, it would have been in the Massachusetts area.

I know the owner had other .45's built by Al Dinan, so he valued quality work.  

I'm just curious if anyone recognizes who the gunsmith might have been.

Thanks!

gwhite

Posts : 56
Join date : 2019-09-30

Back to top Go down

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? Empty Re: Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

Post by jglenn21 6/18/2021, 9:14 am

FJA stood for Col. Frank J  Atwood.. one of the many markings of 1911s during the war era.. mainly Remington Rand receivers and some Ithaca frames..  not the pistolsmith involved in the build.


Col. Atwood was Chief of the Rochester Ordinance District..the initials are the inspectors mark..


My dad's national match 1911 was a Rand frame marked the same way.
jglenn21
jglenn21

Posts : 2571
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 75
Location : monroe , ga

Back to top Go down

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? Empty Re: Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

Post by DA/SA 6/18/2021, 9:48 am

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? T1AYd2kl
DA/SA
DA/SA

Posts : 1335
Join date : 2017-10-09
Age : 68
Location : Southeast Florida

Back to top Go down

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? Empty Re: Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

Post by gwhite 6/18/2021, 11:11 am

That's it!  Thanks!  Yours is stamped a bit cleaner than this one.

gwhite

Posts : 56
Join date : 2019-09-30

Back to top Go down

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? Empty Re: Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

Post by Froneck 6/18/2021, 12:09 pm

Might want to check the slide stop pin for wear. Remove the lever out of the hole. rotate it down 90° or so and push the pin back in. Try pushing down on the hood again. If the pin is worn now that you are in a different location the movement should be less, check the slide stop pin hole size it might accept a larger pin diameter.

Froneck

Posts : 1622
Join date : 2014-04-05
Age : 76

Back to top Go down

Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"? Empty Re: Custom 1911 'Smith with Initials "FJA"?

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

Bullseye-L Forum :: Equipment Discussion

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum