WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,887.00

WOA# WY240714LP012

Make: Remington Rand 

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 1983666 

Year of Manufacture: 1944

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 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” (Colonel Frank J. Atwood, Sub-Inspector for Ithaca, Remington Rand, and Union Switch & Signal). The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 1983666”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link-lug, “F” on the right.

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 Keyes Fibre panels with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have minor wear with a few scattered nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition. 

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion, just a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.  

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is a light “idiot mark” on the left of the frame below the slide stop. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is 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 8-round magazine.

Our Assessment: The Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol was developed for the US Army in 1911 after the .38 revolver failed to stop charging Moro warriors in the Philippines. The US Army issued the powerful .45 to officers, NCOs, and other troopers in both World War 1 and World War 2. As was the case at the outset of the Great War, the demand for Colt M-1911A1 pistols by the US Army at the beginning of WW2 would outstrip the production capacity of Colt. This time around, the government had already planned for contracting pistol production out to other manufacturers. The M-1911A1 was even able to be simplified due to educational orders and a production study conducted by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, who developed comprehensive plans and instructions for companies who had never made a 1911A1, allowing them to easily order materials and 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 makers combined, at the lowest price and highest quality.

This example was made by Remington Rand in 1944 and is still ticking. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition, retaining the great majority of its original finish, a nice 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. It should also still prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck! 

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud