WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2275
LSB#: 211017DR16
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 2434311
Year of Manufacture: 1945 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “REMINGTON RAND INC. / SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame behind 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 below the slide stop 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 2434311”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, “O / G” (Ogden Arsenal) and at the rear there is an incomplete Ordnance wheel mark. The right of the trigger guard is marked “F” and “X”, the left is marked “0”. The top of the frame near the disconnector and the rear face of the slide under the firing pin plate are each marked “G”. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link lug and “HS” on the right.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated ramped rear face 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 some compressions and flat spots, the most noticeable are but the top screws and down by the bottom edges. There are a few scattered little nicks and scratches. The checkering has rub wear but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished at Ogden Arsenal
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There are a few freckles of hardly noticeable shallow surface erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The edges have finish loss. There are some scattered scuffs that have thinned the finish. There are a few scattered little nicks and scratches. There is some finish loss on the grip frame. There are some little rubs that have caused smooth spots. There is a spot on the trigger guard that appears touched up. There are some little nicks and dings on the back of the slide. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings generally clear, the “P” inspection proof on the slide is incomplete, and the Ordnance wheel is incomplete (as is common). Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as Arsenal refinished.
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 marked “R” on its floorplate.
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. This is a 1911-A1 pistol made by Remington Rand in 1945 during WWII and is part of the last batch of pistols that they produced. It is correctly marked for a Remington Rand produced pistol and has a barrel by High Standard, who was known to produce barrels for Remington Rand. The pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition with 90% of its Parkerized finish remaining and the bore is a shooter for sure. In his book “Colt .45 Service Pistols”, page 313, Clawson indicates that by the end of the war, Remington Rand produced the lowest cost pistol and that “during 1944 and 1945 they produced a superior weapon, equal to or better than those produced by other companies”. This says a lot for Remington Rand, despite having a few problems in the early part of 1943 as they tried to ramp up production. This pistol should garner a lot of interest from the collectors of WWI and WWII pistols, and 1911s in particular. Please see our photos and good luck!