US WWII Remington Rand Ithaca M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,325.00
WOA#: WY240524SF004
Make: Remington Rand Frame, Ithaca Slide
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1040844
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 “ITHACA GUN CO., INC. / ITHACA, N.Y.”. 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. 1040844”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. 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 post-war 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 with only a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling, most notable just in front of the chamber.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance of finish is handling wear in the grip areas and operational wear. There is some scattered light surface erosion under the finish with more notable erosion and pitting under and around the grip panels. There are some minor nicks and scratches. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete as is common, the frame’s “P” marking is partially obscured by erosion. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 post-war magazine.
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 has a frame made by Remington Rand in 1943 paired with an Ithaca Gun Company slide. The pistol has been refinished with some scattered erosion under the new blue finish. There is more notable erosion and pitting under the finish around and under the post-war grip panels. It is otherwise a nice example of a WWII-era 1911-A1. This would make a neat addition for a collector, but should also make a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
