Ithaca / Remington-Rand M1911A1 .45 ACP 5” Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R 1943
SOLD FOR: $2,025.00
LSB#: LSB250801KW025
Make: Ithaca Gun Co. (slide) / Remington-Rand (frame serial block)
Model: M1911A1 U.S. Army
Serial Number: 1059857
Year of Manufacture: 1943 World War II era, C&R
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single-Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Markings: The left of the slide is roll-marked “ITHACA GUN CO., INC. / ITHACA, N.Y.” The right of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 1059857” and “M1911A1 U.S. ARMY.” The left of the frame behind the trigger has an encircled “RCD” inspection stamp with a small “P” proof below the magazine release. The top of the slide ahead of the rear sight bears a “P” proof. The right of the frame shows an “OG” arsenal stamp indicating Ogden Arsenal overhaul. Magazine floorplate is marked “COLT .45 AUTO.”
Sights / Optics: Fixed blade front and notch rear, GI pattern.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Brown checkered plastic grip panels. Lanyard loop mainspring housing installed. The grips show scattered handling wear that is consistent with service use.
Type of Finish: Parkerized (arsenal refinish)
Finish Originality: Arsenal refurbished; mixed-maker components consistent with a U.S. arsenal rebuild.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with well-defined rifling and light fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol shows a uniform gray-green parkerized refinish with edge wear, scattered rubs and operational marks from service and subsequent arsenal handling. Metal edges remain generally crisp; legends are legible.
Mechanics: The slide cycles, the manual safety and grip safety function, and the trigger releases the hammer. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Magazine: One 7-round GI-pattern magazine marked “COLT.45 AUTO.”
Our Assessment:
Ithaca and Remington-Rand together delivered the lion’s share of wartime M1911A1 production, and many pistols saw long service lives that ended with arsenal rebuilds. This example wears an Ithaca slide atop a frame numbered in a 1943 Remington-Rand serial block, with the “OG” Ogden Arsenal stamp confirming a government overhaul. The encircled “RCD” inspection and GI “P” proofs are typical of the period, and the parkerized finish reflects arsenal practice. These “mix-master” rebuilds are a real slice of U.S. ordnance logistics—guns kept in the fight by whatever correct parts were on hand.
Chambered in .45 ACP with a bright, sharp bore, this pistol presents as a sound World War II service sidearm in classic GI trim. Collectors appreciate the authenticity of arsenal-marked examples, while students of U.S. small-arms history value the clear trail of inspection and property marks. For background on markings, production blocks, and rebuild practices, see Clawson’s Collector’s Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols (U.S. Military Models), Poyer’s U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894–1920 & 1920–1945, and the CoolGunSite USGI .45 reference.
KF
