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Remington Rand 1911a1 (late 1945) need help understanding what I have

2K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  Sergio Natali 
#1 ·

I’ve posted photos above. I’ve picked up a RR for a fairly fine price, for Massachusetts, anyway. Serial no. Mid 2million dates it to 1945. All seems tight and right but I didn’t look at it as closely as I would have liked and may have missed some things and I’m fairly new to 1911s to begin with. Any help, comments, or opinions would be much appreciated. I made a post already but it was in the wrong area but I can’t delete it, so hopefully this one is in the correct spot. If more pictures are needed, I’ll be happy to add them.
 
#2 ·
I wish we had more photos of it. But if it was made in 1945 it has the wrong hammer. And I’m not sure if it’s the right slide. I just cannot tell if it is correct because of the photo.
 
#5 ·
As long as you didn't pay a premium price for a "correct" WWII 1911A1 what got there is a fine example of Uncle Sam's hardware that will give you hours of enjoyment at the range. Have fun!!
 
#9 ·
I would think that the vast majority of all the USGI pistols are not 100% original, in any case the trigger and the hammer are not time correct I think, I don't think that the receiver was refinished. It's a nice pistol, but if you really want to use it at the range sometimes, stay away from heavy loads but first replace the recoil spring with a fresh 16 lbs one.
 
#12 ·
someone offered just now but im more interested in a 9mm this is a 45
 
#13 ·
reprobate, what's your s/s Randall got to do with a WWII-era Remington-Rand? I fail to see the connection.
WeOutaHere54, just put new recoil and firing pin springs in your R-R if you decide to shoot it. I would leave it alone and put it aside as a safe queen. If you are not a collector of WW-II Colts or U.S. pistols, I would sell it to a collector and use the funds to buy a modern 1911 - Colt, Wilson Combat, or Night Hawk Custom...
 
#14 ·
reprobate, what's your s/s Randall got to do with a WWII-era Remington-Rand? I fail to see the connection.
WeOutaHere54, just put new recoil and firing pin springs in your R-R if you decide to shoot it. I would leave it alone and put it aside as a safe queen. If you are not a collector of WW-II Colts or U.S. pistols, I would sell it to a collector and use the funds to buy a modern 1911 - Colt, Wilson Combat, or Night Hawk Custom...
If I was going to shoot it, it wouldn’t be often nor excessive. I collect some other WWI-II things and decided to get a 1911 as well. But since this pistol here isn’t 100% original/matching a few rounds here there couldn’t hurt, right?
 
#15 · (Edited)
Op's link to imgur page with photos have enough detail that I believe the frame has original finish. Slide has a bit more wears (or just the heat-treat showing more dark spots) and harder to tell. But I think the slide is ok too. Obviously the hammer and trigger are from Colt. Slide stop, thumb safety, MSH all appear to be correct RR. Since it's already a mixmaster, as long as he didn't overpay, I don't have much concern about the slight finish variance between slide/frame.
 
#17 ·
If anything, the trigger and hammer (and likely the sear) are replacements. Otherwise, the pistol looks correct. Frame looks to be original finish. You might have a "lunchbox special".
 
#18 ·
A late Remington Rand (end of '44 through mid-1945) should have a slide with visible semi-circular grinding marks on the flats from the Blanchard machine they were surfaced with. If the slide is smooth or the grinding marks run horizontal then it's an earlier slide.
 
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#22 ·
Cool piece! I’m very confused about the slide on mine. On one had it looks completely different from what one should look like. However, I see one remnants of the circular markings (Blanchard?) by the muzzle area on top of the slide. I think it’s safe to say that my slide is not that which came with it from factory.
 
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