A sheet metal framed 1911 from WWII?

[shanneba]

It seems like, maybe, Guide Lamp Division of General Motors made a few sheet metal framed 1911 prototypes.
Something I haven't seen before.

The example in these photographs resides in the Springfield Armory Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Mystery of the Stamped Steel 1911

It appears that The Internet does not know everything after all!I have been trying to find solid information on this hideously ugly .45acp pistol prototype, but without much success.Apparently less than 20 prototypes were produced by the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors, but when and why?

www.thefirearmblog.com

I've seen this one they made- (also in the photo above)
(This pristine Guide Lamp-built FP-45 is on display at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN.)

"Not shown in the Guide publication below are the 1,000,000 FP-45 .45 caliber "Liberator Pistols" that it built in three months during 1942 as it was totally top secret. The 300 women that built them worked in a part of the Guide factory on the west side of Anderson in an area that was completely walled off for security purposes. The workers were sworn to secrecy. "

Guide Lamp Division of General Motors in World War Two

Guide Lamp in World War Two

usautoindustryworldwartwo.com

 

[Recusant]

Maybe they planned to produce them in gun shop in Khyber Pass!

 

[Annihilator]

It seems like, maybe, Guide Lamp Division of General Motors made a few sheet metal framed 1911 prototypes.
Something I haven't seen before.

The example in these photographs resides in the Springfield Armory Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Mystery of the Stamped Steel 1911

It appears that The Internet does not know everything after all!I have been trying to find solid information on this hideously ugly .45acp pistol prototype, but without much success.Apparently less than 20 prototypes were produced by the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors, but when and why?

www.thefirearmblog.com

I've seen this one they made- (also in the photo above)
(This pristine Guide Lamp-built FP-45 is on display at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN.)

"Not shown in the Guide publication below are the 1,000,000 FP-45 .45 caliber "Liberator Pistols" that it built in three months during 1942 as it was totally top secret. The 300 women that built them worked in a part of the Guide factory on the west side of Anderson in an area that was completely walled off for security purposes. The workers were sworn to secrecy. "

Guide Lamp Division of General Motors in World War Two

Guide Lamp in World War Two

usautoindustryworldwartwo.com

That was a very good article, didn’t know about it at all, thanks for posting!

 

[az4783054]

Wow!

 

[Talyn]

Well, technically not a 1911, but maybe where Hi-Point got their inspiration.

 

[Belt Fed]

Well, technically not a 1911, but maybe where Hi-Point got their inspiration.

 

[shanneba]

The Two links at the bottom of the original post (both go to the same article) has additional information and an old Guide brochure with many war time factory photos. (scroll down past all the photos)

The plant also made:
Guide Lamp World War Two Production Statistics:
(8,500,000) total of headlamps, tail lamps, dome lamps, blackout lamps and signal lamps;
(3,400,000) Stimsonite reflector units;
(22,000) Bell Aircraft P-39 Airacobra spinner noses;
(1,000,000) water jacket sleeves for Allison aircraft engines;
(36,750,000) cartridge cases for 37mm, 40mm, 90mm and 105mm constructed of both brass and steel;
(1,600,000) .50 caliber Browning machine gun barrels;
(682,163) complete M3 and M3A1 submachine guns.

The M3 Submachine Gun:
1943 - 85,130 M3
1944 - 343,372 M3
1945 - 178,192 M3
1945 - 15,469 M3A1
Total Production of M3 - 606,694
Total Production of M3A1 - 15,469

 

[Grayfox]

Interesting. I've known of the Liberator for many years. Even seen a few of them. But this is completely new to me.
I was issued a M3A1 for about 1.5 years when I was in the Army (1972-75). So I know stamped steel .45s are possible.

 

[Belt Fed]

Seen a few liberators, but nothing like that 1911 wannabee.

 

[Snake45]

I was issued a M3A1 for about 1.5 years when I was in the Army (1972-75).

Tanker?

 

[Grayfox]

M578 Recovery Vehicle driver. I was supposed to be issued a 1911, but we didn't have enough to go around. After breaking my third M-16 stock, our armorer found me the Grease Gun to carry. I never broke it.