Need info on British proofed Rand

[James in NC]

Guys I would like your advice on this Rand I am looking to buy. I have not seen the gun in person, only these pics. The guy says the feed ramp is unfinished but I got the impression he was not real knowledgable about what to look for. Also has a Flannery barrel. He's asking $1200. What do you guys think? Original finish? Worth it? Thanks, James,
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-001S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-002S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-003S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-007S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-006S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-005S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-004S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-011S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-010S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-009S1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/D530389/MVC-008S1.jpg

[exitwounds]

There are two known serial ranges of Rem Rand British proofed pistols and they fall into the late 1.4M and the late 1.5M ranges. Most are in the late 1.4M range (1496xxx or so) and then there are those in the 1.5M range (157xxxx or slightly later). The unfinished feed ramp is normal and should show machine tool marks, but not polished. R-R's are one of the fewer shipped manufacturer's and the price is probably not far off from the going price if the barrel, magazine, and other stampings are all correct.

[ACMERAVEN]

It appears to be a good one. I have one similar that my father-in-law carried ashore at Normandy and went on the tour all the way to Berlin; along with holster, belt and double clip pouch. Have turned down offers much larger than 1200. Go for it; worst case scenario is you can get your original price out of it.

[Johnny Peppers]

The feed ramps had already been machined into the 1911A1 frames before they were finished. The buildup of finish was then polished off to leave a smooth surface. On some pistols you can still see finish left in particularily deep machine marks in the feed ramp. Late in production Colt was allowed to skip the step to remove the finish from the feed ramp due to it's already smooth finish.
On Springfield Armory's 1903 National Match rifles the bolt and bolt raceways were polished to remove the phosphate finish for smoother operation. While they were polished to remove the finish, they were not polished in the sense of making them mirror bright, but more of a satin finish. Springfield Armory used these terms to describe the operation:

Bolt: polished - cam surfaces stoned.

Receiver: runways and cams polished.

http://i6.tinypic.com/1236tdk.jpg

[bgiven]

James,

Make sure the frame, slide, and barrel hood all are BNP proofed..... by your pics, I do not see the normal BNP markings on the RH side of the slide in your pics....

Bob

[Johnny Peppers]

The Remington Rand shown was not BNP proofed. It was proofed under the Proof Act of 1924 - 1955. In 1955 the NOT ENGLISH MAKE was dropped, and the barrel proof with chamber dimensions and proof pressure added. The Birmingham proof and Nitro proof were combined into the BNP at this time. The proofs appear correct.

[bgiven]

Johnny you are correct, I was using BNP as a abbreviation only, not to be specific.......but the slide should still have some kind of British proof shouldn't it ????

[Johnny Peppers]

The proof mark on the slide is behind the slide serrations. I think is is shown on photo 5.

[bgiven]

Photo #6...... I know my eyes are getting old.... but that looked like a 'ding' to me ????