Colt/Remington Rand M1911A1 .45 ACP 5″ Semi-Automatic Pistol 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,750.00

LSB#: LSB260511JS077

Make: Colt frame, Remington Rand slide

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 948132

Year of Manufacture: 1943 / C&R (Colt Serial Number Lookup) 

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Removable Magazine Fed Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol.

Magazine Quantity & Condition:  1x 7-round magazine with operational wear and remains in Fine condition.

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “REMINGTON RAND INC.” / “SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A.”. The top of the slide is marked with a “P”. Above the firing pin is marked with a “C”. The left side of the barrel foot is marked “P”, and the right is marked with “F”. The left side of the frame is marked with “G.H.D” and “P”. The right side of the frame is marked with the crossed-cannon acceptance mark, “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” / “No948132” / “M1911A1 U.S. ARMY” and “RIA”. The left trigger bow is marked with the Colt Verified Proof “VP”. The right trigger bow is marked with “14”. The top of the receiver is marked with a “G”. The top of the magazine foot is marked with “L”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat top square-notch that is dovetailed to the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece textured walnut with large diamonds. There are scattered handling scratches and compression marks. There are no chips. There is a small crack in the bottom of the right grip panel. Overall, these grips are in Good condition.  

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Arsenal refurbished then commercially refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is erosion in the bore. There is minor fouling. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates at 7/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its refinish. There are handling scratches and compression marks along the metal surfaces. There is oxidation and freckling throughout the frame, slide, and the barrel bushing. There is operational wear along the barrel and action. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are mostly clear, with some being faint. Overall, this pistol is in Good to Very Good condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. 

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 1x 7-round magazine.

Our Assessment:  The M1911A1 served as the principal American military sidearm during World War II, with Colt, Remington Rand, Ithaca, Union Switch & Signal, and Singer contributing pistols under government contracts. Colt produced the serialized frame of this 1943 example, while its Remington Rand slide was installed during later service, rebuild, or subsequent parts replacement. The military routinely overhauled M1911A1 pistols at arsenals, where serviceable components from different manufacturers were commonly combined, refinished, inspected, and returned to inventory. The Rock Island Arsenal rebuild marking documents one stage of this pistol’s military service history and explains its mixed Colt and Remington Rand configuration. Rather than a factory-original Colt, this pistol represents the practical maintenance and refurbishment practices used to keep America’s wartime handguns operational for decades.

This 1943 M1911A1 retains approximately 95% of its later refinish, with scattered scratches, compression marks, oxidation, freckling, and operational wear on the barrel and action. The walnut stocks remain in Good condition with a small crack in the lower portion of the right panel, while the bright 7/10 bore retains defined rifling despite erosion and minor fouling. The action functions correctly, and the pistol includes one Fine-condition seven-round magazine. Its Colt frame, Remington Rand slide, military inspection and acceptance markings, Rock Island Arsenal rebuild stamp, and mixed service components give it considerable appeal as an authentic arsenal-reworked U.S. military pistol. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY