WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2277
LSB#: 220405LB001
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1519991
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (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 “X” and “G” under the firing pin plate. The top of the frame is marked “G” at the disconnector. There is a “P” marked on the inside of the dust cover at the rear. 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. 1519991”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “5”, the right is marked “T” and “U”. 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 with a serrated, ramped rear face. 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 have some scattered nicks and scuffs. There are tool marks in the reinforcement rings. The checkering is generally well defined, there is some smoothing at the bottom edges of the panels. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion in the bore at the muzzle-end.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are a few spots of minor surface oxidation, most on the top edge of the left slide flat, the right and bottom of the dust cover and the right of the slide chin in front of the dust cover. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scuffs. There is an “idiot mark” on the left of the frame below the slide stop with three thin, light scratches on the left of the slide above the slide stop. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance mark is shallow and incomplete (as is common). Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus 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. The magazine has operational wear, infrequent minor surface oxidation, mostly on the floorplate, 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 1943 and is a nice example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition, retaining about 92% of its finish, a good 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!