WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1843.99
LSB#: 220516RS002
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1959928
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
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 rear face of the slide is marked “G” under the firing pin plate. The top of the frame is marked “G” at the hammer slot. 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 side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 1959928”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The left of the trigger guard is marked “2”, the right “7”. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link-lug, “HS” on the right.
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 plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips show light handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn copper fouling.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The finish is strong throughout with minor operational wear and light handling marks. There are tool marks on the left of the rear sight. The heat-treated portions of the slide (front, around slide stop notch) are notably darker than the other surfaces. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection marks are shallow or incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished and would rate Fine-Excellent but for the weak mainspring.
Mechanics: The mainspring is notably weak. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is minor 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 shows moderate-heavy wear with scattered surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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 by Remington Rand in 1944 and has been refinished, so it looks great for its age. The pistol retains nearly all of its new finish with a nice bore and, apart from a weak mainspring, strong mechanics. With a new mainspring, this would make a nice addition for a collector who wants to add a Remington Rand to a 1911 or WWII small arms collection or a fun shooter for years to come. Please see our photos and good luck!