Make: Remington Rand

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 1743965

Year of Manufacture: 1944

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5", High Standard

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 plastic Keyes Fibre panels with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have minor wear with a few scattered nicks and scuffs. There are small chips in the reinforcement ring around the top screw on the right panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion, just a little stubborn copper fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The most notable finish wear is on the bushing. There is light scratching in the frontstrap. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows light 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 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 Risdon magazine, Vietnam-era web belt with repaired M1916 holster, two first aid pouches, one sealed Carlisle Model first aid packet, one 2-magazine pouch and a Survival Ax Type IV with belt sheath.

Our Assessment: The Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol was developed for the US Army in 1911 after the .38 revolver failed to stop charging Moro warriors in the Philippines. The US Army issued the powerful .45 to officers, NCOs, and other troopers in both World War 1 and World War 2. As was the case at the outset of the Great War, the demand for Colt M-1911A1 pistols by the US Army at the beginning of WW2 would outstrip the production capacity of Colt. This time around, the government had already planned for contracting pistol production out to other manufacturers. The M-1911A1 was even able to be simplified due to educational orders and a production study conducted by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, who developed comprehensive plans and instructions for companies who had never made a 1911A1, allowing them to easily order materials and 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 makers combined, at the lowest price and highest quality.

This example was made by Remington Rand in 1944 and is still ticking. The pistol is in Fine condition, retaining the great majority of its original finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This would make a nice addition for a collector who wants to add a Remington Rand to a 1911 or WWII small arms collection. It will certainly display well with the included belt rig and iconic Type IV survival axe. Please see our photos and good luck!