Rare X-Number Remington UMC Model 1911 US Army .45 Semi-Auto Pistol, C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,963.00

WOA#: WY240406WM009

Make: Remington Rand

Model: 1911 U.S. Army

Serial Number: X2694429

Year of Manufacture: 1918-1919, re-numbered 1945-1957

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The right of the frame is marked “X2694429” over a previous serial marking that is shallow and incomplete. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover, marked over a previous US Property marking and “AA” in front of the slide stop (Augusta Arsenal). The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED DEC.19,1905. / FEB.14.1911. AUG. 19, 1913 / COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO.”, “REMINGTON / UMC” in circle, and “MANUFACTURED BY / REMINGTON ARMS UMC CO. INC. / BRIDGEPORT, CNON. U.S.A.”. The rear face of the slide over the firing pin stop is marked with eagle’s head over “I38”. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with “E.E.C.”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “E”, the right is marked “R”. The bottom of the slide is marked “S”. The barrel’s left lug is marked “S” and “P” (replacement Springfield barrel).

Barrel Length: 5″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered double-diamond walnut. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. The most notable mark is on the left panel at the front edge. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered small nicks and light scratches. There are tool marks at some pin heads. There is some minor erosion under the finish, blending well with the media-blast surface-prep. The grip areas show handling wear and the action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good 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 7-round two-tone magazine. The magazine has scattered wear and surface oxidation.

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. Regular serial production proceeded past 2.5 million by the end of WWII, but there were instances, some innocuous and others nefarious, where serial markings were worn or removed from the frame. This occurred enough that a new serial range was authorized in 1924 with X-prefixes to replace these lost serial markings. Through 1957, some 6,000 of these “X-number” pistols were marked in three separate series. This example is from the Third Series of X-number guns and was refurbished by Augusta Arsenal after WWII. The Third Series X-number guns picked up from the wartime production serial range with 1,599 numbers assigned to various arsenals, ordnance depots and bases. It is a Remington UMC Model of 1911 with a 1911A1 arched mainspring housing and Springfield replacement barrel. It still has a Remington UMC slide, so it is possible that the other replaced parts were installed by Augusta when they re-numbered the pistol. These X-number pistols are scarce and an interesting area for collectors. It’s always nice to have some idea of the story behind a century old service pistol. Please see our photos and good luck!

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