Shanghai Marked WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol
SOLD FOR: $2901
LSB#: 210917MW03
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1014575
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine (no magazine included)
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “REMINGTON RAND INC. / SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame behind the magazine release and the top of the slide in front of the rear sight are marked with a “P” acceptance proof. The left side of the frame below the slide stop is marked “FJA” (Frank J. Atwood Lt. Col., Sub-Inspector for Ithaca, Remington Rand and Union Switch). The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 1014575”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, and at the rear there is an Ordnance wheel mark. The top of the frame near the disconnector and the rear face of the slide under the firing pin plate are each marked “G”, the rear of the slide is also marked “U”. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link lug and “F” on the right (Flannery Bolt Co.). The frontstrap has a Chinese character, “A5586”, two more Chinese characters which translate to “Shanghai Public” or “Shanghai City”, and “1527”. The left of the frame has double-struck “GBE / H.B. CA.” import marks, concealed by the slide stop when assembled.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated, ramped rear face fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The left panel has light wear, the right has more moderate wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs, spots of compressed checkers, and the right panel has a notable nick above the bottom mounting screw. There are tool marks in the reinforcement rings around the screws. Most of the checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: The finish is original to the parts. Based on the condition of the barrel compared with the slide and frame, the barrel may be a replacement part
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 50% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear and minor surface oxidation throughout with infrequent minor erosion. Some worn areas have gone to a light patina. The frontstrap and grip safety are mostly worn to white. There is some light erosion on the frame under the grips. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the import marks are poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is light play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine marked “G” on its floorplate with the distinctive General Shaver Division (a division of Remington Rand) spot-welds on the spine. The magazine has rough finish with some scattered erosion, light operational wear, a strong spring, and there are cracks at the rear of each feed lip.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. This example was made by Remington Rand in 1943 and has markings indicating that it was sold to the city of Shanghai. Given the status of Shanghai during WWII, it is most likely that this happened after the Japanese were defeated in 1945, and given the American attitude towards the Communist Chinese, it was likely sold before the city fell in 1949. At some point after 1968, it made its way back to America. It is in Good-Very Good condition, retaining about 50% of its original parkerized finish, having a great (though possibly replaced) bore and strong mechanics. This pistol’s service and history would make a great addition for a collector, but it should also prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!