WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2503
LSB#: 220308RY002
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1791683
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 top of the frame is marked “G” at the disconnector. 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. 1791683”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The left of the trigger guard is marked “3”, the right “S” and “A”. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link-lug, “HS” on the right.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short serrated, ramped 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. There are a few minor marks in the reinforcement rings around the grip screws. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scratches. There is a light “idiot mark” below the slide stop on the left of the frame. There are a couple of more notable nicks at the top edge of the left slide flat in front of the slide serrations and a pair of more notable nicks in the frontstrap near the bottom. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine 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 blued 7-round magazine, marked “S” on the top of the floorplate. The magazine has light operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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 wonderful example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Fine condition, retaining about 96% of its finish, a great 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!