Make: Remington Rand

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 967370 (This pistol was produced in a serial range that was duplicated by Colt. The FJA inspector's mark and Du-Lite finish indicate that it is a Remington Rand produced frame).

Year of Manufacture: Ca. April, 1943

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown early Keyes Fibre plastic without reinforcement rings around the screws but with reinforcement ribs and a star on the interior. The grips have light-moderate handling wear with a some scattered light marks. The checkering is generally well defined, there is more notable wear on the left panel consistent with standard holster use. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Du-Lite

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore in the High Standard barrel is light gray and the rifling is sharp. There is evenly scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered wear, more notable in the grip straps. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a light “idiot mark” on the left of the frame below the slide stop. There are scattered spots of light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete, as is common. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: 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 7-round M.S. Little magazine.

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 II. 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 early example was made by Remington Rand in 1943 and is a nice example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Very Good condition, retaining 75% of its original Du-Lite finish. This is a scarce find for collectors as the finish would soon change to Parko-Lubrite (parkerized) and many pistols were parkerized during refurbishment programs. The pistol has correct features for an early Remington Rand with a High Standard barrel an early Keyes Fibre grips. The pistol retains strong mechanics and a decent bore. This would make a nice addition for a collector who wants to add an early Remington Rand to a 1911 or WWII small arms collection. It should also still prove to be a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!