Make: Remington Rand

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 1747284

Year of Manufacture: 1944

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 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 below the slide 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. 1747284”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear there is an Ordnance mark. The left of the trigger guard is marked "4", the right "B" and "U". The barrel is marked "P" on the left link-lug, "F" on the right. The top of the frame is marked "G" by the disconnector.

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 Keyes Fibre plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs and a star on the inside. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light marks and one more notable ding on the right panel below the top screw. The checkering is well-defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent faint erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges and corners, mostly on the leading edges of the slide. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. The action shows operational wear. There is a thin, light "idiot mark" under the slide-stop on the left of the frame. There are a few other minor marks. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Ordance wheel is poorly struck, as is common. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine 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 magazine marked "R" on the top of the floorplate. A canvas web-gear rig is included with belt, shoulder straps, leather M1916 pattern holster, M1923 pattern double magazine pouch, and sealed Carlisle Model First-Aid Packet with pouch.

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 example was made by Remington Rand in 1944 and is a great example of a Remington Rand 1911-A1. The pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition, retaining about 95% of its parkerized finish. The pistol retains strong mechanics and a nice bore. This would make a great 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!