WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2555.45
LSB#: 201215FH15
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1748626
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “REMINGTON RAND INC. / SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A.”, the rear face of the slide is marked “G” under the firing pin plate. The left of the frame below 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 above the magazine release 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. 1748626”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. Each side of the trigger guard is marked “L”, with serifs on the left, sans-serif on the right. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link-lug, “HS” on the right. The top of the magazine floorplate is marked “R”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade 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 grips show little in the way of handling wear. There are minor tool marks in the reinforcement rings. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some stubborn fouling and infrequent minor erosion, most notable just in front of the chamber. There are nicks on the inside edge at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The most notable finish loss is handling wear in the grip areas. The frame has scratches on the bottom and front of the trigger guard. The slide has some scattered small nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly on the top and right. There are nicks on the barrel at the muzzle on the inside edge. There is an arc of light scratching at the slide stop on the slide and frame. There are some other scattered minor marks. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is minor 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. The magazine has operational wear, infrequent minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.
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. As was the case at the outset of the 1st World War, demands of the US Military would outstrip the production capacity of Colt when the United States entered World War 2. In this case, contracting pistol production out to other companies had been planned for and simplified due to educational orders and a production study, notably conducted by the Singer sewing machine company, which developed comprehensive plans and instructions for a company which had never made a 1911A1 to order materials, machinery and set up manufacturing for the pistol. Remington Rand was the star example of this project’s success, and by the end of the war would go on to produce just about as many as all of the other maker’s combined, at the lowest price and highest quality. This example was made by Remington Rand in 1944 and is a nice example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition, retaining about 90% of its finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This would make a nice addition for a collector who wants to add a Remington Rand to a 1911 or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!