Remington Rand 1911a1 questions

AOW162435 · Aug 25, 2021

I am trying to help a good friend of my parents get a feel for what his old 1911 may be worth. His father carried the gun in WW2.

It's been fired once or twice since the current owner inherited it 30+ years ago. He asked me to take a look at it, clean it, shoot it, etc. But ultimately he's interested in its current value.

Until he gave it to me, I knew nothing about this version of the 1911. I've since determined that it was manufactured in 1943 after finding a serial number listing for 1911s. The gun appears entirely original, with only minor marks and other signs of limited use. I tore it down as far as I could, cleaned it, lubed it, and reassembled for now.

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking. If there's someone on MDS intimately familiar with the Remington Rand 1911s, I'd greatly appreciate some thoughts on what I have here.

Andreas

AOW162435 · Aug 25, 2021

Additional pics:

AOW162435 · Aug 25, 2021

And more:

Trepang · Aug 26, 2021

Selling on CMP auction for $2500-$3500 (in lesser condition, without holster).

Trepang · Aug 26, 2021

The P is a proof mark. The FJA is LtCol Frank Attwod’s cartouche and the crossed cannon mark is Defense acceptance mark.

Frank J. Atwood was the commanding officer of the Rochester Ordnance District. His stamp appeared on all newly-made military firearms which were made within that district. That included Remington, Smith-Corona, Remington Rand.

Very, very nice and very valuable USGI 1911A1

Trigger Time · Aug 26, 2021

Nice Pistol !!!

JohnC · Aug 26, 2021

As others have said, very nice. Similar pistols are on auction on the CMP auction site. They will sell between 2,000 and 3,000. This pistol could claim higher on a different site. USGI 1911s go for 3,000+ on gun broker…

Augie · Aug 26, 2021

With holster I would say around 2500 give or take a few hundred, nice example but not unused in box like some are, does have take down scratch. Be careful using CMP auction results to set value, buyers tend to overpay on the CMP auctions. Searching sold listings on Gunbroker will give you an idea.

AOW162435 · Aug 26, 2021

Thank you for all of the responses. The last time I handled a 1911 was in the Navy, 30+ years ago.

Taking this one apart made me appreciate the precision and fit & finish that was possible in an age long before CNC mills and computerized everything. It's a beautiful piece and I look forward to shooting it.

Andreas

Trepang · Aug 27, 2021

Augie said:
With holster I would say around 2500 give or take a few hundred, nice example but not unused in box like some are, does have take down scratch. Be careful using CMP auction results to set value, buyers tend to overpay on the CMP auctions. Searching sold listings on Gunbroker will give you an idea.

If you come across a 1942-1945 USGI 1911A1, unused, in a box with no scratches or wear please let me know. You can name your price - I will take it.

I don't think that unicorn exists.

ken792 · Aug 27, 2021

Trepang said:
If you come across a 1942-1945 USGI 1911A1, unused, in a box with no scratches or wear please let me know. You can name your price - I will take it.

I don't think that unicorn exists.

My friend has a Remington-Rand with Kraft box, but it’s not unfired. The guy who it was issued to fired a mag over the side of the ship and then put it back into the box and managed to five finger discount it later. The guy’s widow gave it to my friend for helping clean out the house after he died.

Search “M1911A1 Kraft box” on Google and they’ll pop up. The vast majority have been cleaned of cosmoline and are no longer in their wrap.

Simpson’s has one right one, but it has some wear.

https://simpsonltd.com/remington-rand-m1911a1-c31609/

AOW162435 · Aug 27, 2021

Augie said:
With holster I would say around 2500 give or take a few hundred, nice example but not unused in box like some are, does have take down scratch.

Do you think the scratch is from careless disassembly/reassembly?

Considering this is the first USGI 1911 I've spent actual time with, I'm amazed at how solid it feels, and how smoothly it functions.

Andreas

ken792 · Aug 27, 2021

AOW162435 said:
Do you think the scratch is from careless disassembly/reassembly?

Considering this is the first USGI 1911 I've spent actual time with, I'm amazed at how solid it feels, and how smoothly it functions.

Andreas

Yeah, it’s commonly known as the “idiot scratch” in the 1911 community. It’s from people letting the slide stop flop around when partially in or thinking it installs by swinging upwards. They should just press straight in through the window. If they don’t, then depress the detent with a stick or something.

AOW162435 · Aug 27, 2021

ken792 said:
Yeah, it’s commonly known as the “idiot scratch” in the 1911 community. It’s from people letting the slide stop flop around when partially in or thinking it installs by swinging upwards. They should just press straight in through the window. If they don’t, then depress the detent with a stick or something.

Makes sense. Glad it was there before I disassembled the gun.

Andreas

calicojack · Aug 27, 2021

Trepang said:
If you come across a 1942-1945 USGI 1911A1, unused, in a box with no scratches or wear please let me know. You can name your price - I will take it.

I don't think that unicorn exists.

I'll add that one to my bucket list.

Trepang · Aug 27, 2021

ken792 said:
My friend has a Remington-Rand with Kraft box, but it’s not unfired. The guy who it was issued to fired a mag over the side of the ship and then put it back into the box and managed to five finger discount it later. The guy’s widow gave it to my friend for helping clean out the house after he died.

Search “M1911A1 Kraft box” on Google and they’ll pop up. The vast majority have been cleaned of cosmoline and are no longer in their wrap.

Simpson’s has one right one, but it has some wear.

https://simpsonltd.com/remington-rand-m1911a1-c31609/

Thats pretty impressive even at $4,500.

A NIB 78 year old 1911 is a pretty rare bird.

dist1646 · Aug 28, 2021

AOW162435 said:
Do you think the scratch is from careless disassembly/reassembly?

Considering this is the first USGI 1911 I've spent actual time with, I'm amazed at how solid it feels, and how smoothly it functions.

Andreas

It was intended for use in combat under rough battlefield conditions. No GI cared about that little scratch. FWIW, I was issued a Remington Rand back in the '70's. It was one of those that was original, still tight and shot extremely well.

somd_mustangs · Aug 29, 2021

Augie said:
With holster I would say around 2500 give or take a few hundred, nice example but not unused in box like some are, does have take down scratch. Be careful using CMP auction results to set value, buyers tend to overpay on the CMP auctions. Searching sold listings on Gunbroker will give you an idea.

^^^^ This is an accurate statement IMHO.
Remington Rands, fair or not, are the lowest relative value of the WW2 manufacturers because they made so many. A nice one like this is in the low to mid-2000's. Exceptions would be for the early Type 1 and 2, stuff like that. CMP auctions are full of people with more money than common sense for some reason; I wouldn't use Rock Island Auction realized prices either.

Here's a recent sale of an almost identical pistol rig (same S/N range, same condition?) at $2650. This seller typically gets market to 10-15% higher.
https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/17032.html

But this statement "His father carried the gun in WW2" makes it priceless in my book!

AOW162435 · Aug 29, 2021

somd_mustangs said:
But this statement "His father carried the gun in WW2" makes it priceless in my book!

I merely noted what I had been told.

Andreas

AOW162435 · Sep 6, 2021

Spent the day in WV, exercising a few items at my favorite range. I brought the 1911 along and put 30 rounds through it. Super solid & easy to shoot. I'll strip it, clean it, and return it to its owner.

The second pic is my daughter reaching out to 200yds with the 6.5 RPR.

Andreas

Remington Rand 1911a1 questions

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