Very similar to examples attributed to the Pusan Iron Works in Pusan (currently romanticized as Busan), South Korea, this is a close copy of the U.S. 1911A1 semi-automatic pistol. One of the few areas not to fall into North Korean hands in the opening months of the Korean War, Pusan (namesake of the Pusan Perimeter held by U.N. forces) would be a critical nerve center for the eventual breakout back north, and the Iron Works is believed to have worked with a combination of in-house and American components. This example is very interesting and possibly completely unique in that it does not bear any of the typical Korean markings found on Pusan produced pistols. The slide on this particular example is marked "PITTSBURG/MADE IN U.S.A." on the left, which may have been an effort to imply that the pistol is made of quality steel. The right side of the frame is marked "NO.. 6822" and dated "1946". The left side of the frame has a Navy Arms import mark. It is possible, if this date is legitimate, that this pistol was made for a commercial market in Korea given that the war there had not yet begun. The matching partial serial number "22" is visible on various small parts including inside the slide and bottom of the barrel. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered trigger, arched checkered mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, narrow checkered hammer, and a long grip safety, much in line with American produced Model 1911A1 pistols of the time. The grips are checkered and appear to be made of Micarta.

Very good, retains traces of the original blue finish with the balance having mostly thinned to a plum-brown patina, and light handling marks scattered throughout. The unique grips are very good with some mild wear and scattered light handling marks. The barrel lug is cracked in two places, otherwise mechanically fine. A very interesting variation of a Korean produced Model 1911A1!