WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2225
LSB#: 211017DR19
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 2010072
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by 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 behind 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. 2010072”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The top of the frame near the disconnector and the rear face of the slide under the firing pin plate are each marked “G”. The barrel is marked with a “P” on the left link-lug and “HS” on the right.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated, ramped rear face 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 minor handling wear with only a few scattered light marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally sharp. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There are some small spots of minor oxidation in the bore at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong with some light handling wear and minor discoloration in the grip areas. The action shows light operational wear. There are a few scattered light nicks and scratches, most under the finish and most notable at the thumb-safety shank on the right of the frame. The screw heads are sharp. The markings generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete (as is common). Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: 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 has scattered wear, light surface oxidation, infrequent minor erosion, 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, a little more than half-way through their production. It has later features including parkerized finish, second-style serial marking and third-style slide marking. The pistol has correct markings and grips with an un-marked magazine, likely produced by Colt and a new parkerized finish which was likely an arsenal refurbishment. The pistol doesn’t appear to have been in very bad shape when it was refurbished, because its markings are still strong and there’s little sign of damage or erosion under the new finish. The pistol is in Fine condition, retaining about 95% of its new finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This is a nice example of a 1944 Remington Rand for the collector, and its nice bore and strong mechanics should also make for a great shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!