WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2580.55
LSB#: 220526RW010
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1374393
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 “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. 1374393”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “3”, the right is marked “I” and “V”. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link-lug, “HS” on the right. The top of the magazine floorplate is marked “R”. The other magazine has been left in its packaging.
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. The grips show little in the way of handling wear. There are some tool marks in the reinforcement rings and a few other scattered minor marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-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. The finish is thinning at a few edges. There are a few scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear and there is some light handling wear on the controls. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete, as is common. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-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 in a two-piece cardboard Kraft box with a proper lid-marking, wax paper and with a total of two 7-round magazines, one wrapped in wax paper and taped.
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 wonderful example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Fine-plus 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, especially with the included box and wax paper. Please see our photos and good luck!