WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,425.00
LSB#: LSB250525MC011
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 929975 (Please note: this serial number falls in a range which was used by both Remington Rand and Colt. The lack of Colt’s verified proof as well as the “FJA” inspector’s mark indicate that the frame was made by Remington Rand.)
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, ramped blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown Keyes Fibre plastic panels with reinforcement ribs on the inside but without reinforcement rings around the screws. The grips have scattered light wear with some nicks and scuffing. There is a patch of smoothed chekers in front of the top screw on the left. The checkering is otherwise generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Du-Lite, Parkerized
Finish Originality: The frame’s finish is Original. The slide has been refinished. The barrel is a Springfield replacement part. The guide rod is an early-style long-leg. Some other small parts may have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is minor erosion scattered through the bore with some minor pitting. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6-7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 60% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The slide has scattered finish wear and shows treatment with cold blue. The frame has some scattered wear, most notable in the grip areas. There are a some nicks, scuffs and scratches including an “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. There is infrequent surface erosion, most notable on the installed slide stop and the firing pin plate. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is light-moderate 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 Scoville magazine and an additional slide stop.
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 was made in 1943 and is a good example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Good condition, retaining about 60% of its metal finish. The frame has early original Du-Lite finish, though the slide is parkerized. The barrel is a Springfield replacement and somewhere along the way it was equipped with an early long-leg guide rod. The grips are early Keyes Fibre panels without reinforcement rings at the screw holes. This would make a nice addition for a collector who wants to add a Remington Rand to a 1911 or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
