Remington Rand WWII U.S. Model 1911-A1 1911A1 .45 ACP Parkerized 5″ Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,675.00
LSB#: 180920SH05

Make:Remington Rand

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 1890756

Year of Manufacture: 1944 (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 1942-1944). The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 1890756”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, at the rear with an Ordnance mark and below the serial number with “RIA”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “H” and the rear is marked “A”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “2”. The left rear side of the barrel lug is marked with “P” and the right is marked “HS”. The flat on the top of the frame in front of the hammer is marked “G”, the inside of the dust cover is marked “X”.

Barrel Length: 5”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered reddish brown plastic with reinforcing ribs on the inside. The left panel has a cuple of light marks below the top screw, the right shows only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are about in Fine-Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Refinish

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

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the edges of the slide and frame, most noticeable on the front edges of the slide. The slide has scattered light marks with few through the finish. The frame has a mark under the slide stop, a nick on the right edge of the trigger guard and some scattered light marks with few through the finish. The slide and frame have some scattered spots of dark discoloration which appear to be wear marks. The grip safety, hammer and trigger show light operational wear. The barrel shows light-moderate operational wear. Most markings are clear but the “P” on the top of the slide and the ordnance mark are incomplete. The screw heads are sharp with three missing finish. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The trigger pull is crisp. There is very little play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties, and this model does not have a magazine disconnect. The action functions correctly. 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 unmarked blued magazine with light wear and mottled coloring, a strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Very Good condition.

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. This is a 1911-A1 pistol made by Remington Rand in 1944 during WWII. It is correctly marked for a Remington produced pistol. The pistol is in about Fine condition with 92% of its parkerized finish remaining from its Rock Island Arsenal refurbish. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. In his book “Colt .45 Service Pistols”, page 313, Clawson indicates that by the end of the war, Remington Rand produced the lowest cost pistol and that “during 1944 and 1945 they produced a superior weapon, equal to or better than those produced by other companies”. This says a lot for Remington Rand, despite having a few problems in the early part of 1943 as they tried to ramp up production. This pistol should garner a lot of interest from the collectors of WWI and WWII pistols and 1911’s in particular. If the collectors don’t show enough interest, this pistol will be great for home protection and for recreational shooting. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.