Remington Rand Lend-Lease 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1725

LSB#: 201125AG04

Make: Remington Rand Inc.

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 1578650

Year of Manufacture: 1943 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)

Caliber: .45 A.C.P.

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 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 behind the grip has a faint, incomplete Ordnance mark. The right side of the frame is also marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 1578650” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The rear face of the slide under the firing pin plate is marked with “G”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “2”, the right has “L” and “T”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right “F”. The barrel’s chamber has “BV”, “BP” and “NP” in crowned circles over “NOT ENGLISH MAKE”. The top-right of the slide behind the ejection port has “NOT ENGLISH MAKE” double-stamped and “BV” in crowned circle. The right of the frame has “BV” in crowned circle, “NOT ENGLISH MAKE”, British commercial proof mark and “RELEASED / BRITISH GOVT. 1952”.

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 checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and minor tool marks around the screw heads. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal Refurbished prior to being sold out of service.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches, some under and some through the finish. The action shows light operational wear. There is minor handling wear in the grip areas. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel on the right of the frame is faint and incomplete, some of the British markings are poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.

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 magazine. The magazine has light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: As was the case in the previous Great War, the outset of WWII found many nations starved for small arms, procuring just about anything they could get their hands on to arm their troops. Prior to the United State’s entry to WWII, there were various methods of supplying the Allies with defense products while maintaining neutrality, the final being the Lend-Lease Act which permitted the sale, lending and leasing of defense equipment to Allied nations by the U.S. government. This Remington Rand 1911A1’s British proof markings indicate that it is one that was sold to the British government under the Lend-Lease Act in 1943, later to be sold out of service in 1952. This Lend-Lease example is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished with 95% of its new parkerized finish remaining. The bore is nice and its mechanics are strong. This would still make a great shooter, but with this pistol’s history it will also be of great interest to Colt and WWII collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!