Help requested re:1945 Rem - Rand

[Bob K]

I could really use some help here. I'm going to look at a Remington Rand tomorrow and would like some assistance from the more knowledgeable members on this site. I have a very small picture and very limited info. I've been told that the serial number is 2,435,684 or 2,435,584. It is marked Remington Rand on the slide and FJA on the left side of the frame. The right side of the frame has a crossed cannon cartouche, United States Property M 1911 A1 US Army, and the serial number. Plastic grips.I don't have any details on individual components.
Could you fellas tell me what other markings I should look for to determine if this gun is correct? Pics or a link would be very helpful and appreciated. I believe the asking price is $1100. Is this a good price if everything is marked correctly? Also. do you have any recommendations for a good reference book regarding military 1911's ?
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/fi3cgi.jpg

[bgiven]

Bob,

The serial number(s) you have posted are in the 1945 Remington Rand production range. Unfortunately, your picture is too small to verify anything about originality or correctness. If correct, the price sounds reasonable.... but don't put anything into the post war black holster. As far as a book recommendation, Charles Clawson's Third Edition Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols is a good place to start.

[bigredc]

There is some good info here. http://www.coolgunsite.com/

[Bob K]

There is some good info here. http://www.coolgunsite.com/
I've already been doing a lot a reading and downloading pics from there. I was just wondering if there might be any other markings to look for or any tips you fellas might be able to add. I wasn't able to get to look at the gun today, but hopefully in the next day or two. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate the help.

[mlin]

You should pay attention to font type and placement of "M 1911 A1 U.S. ARMY" marking. This is one of the easiest way to tell if it's a mis-match or fake. Here is a good reference:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=9234&highlight=font

Also the "Remington Rand" slide marking should be type III (smallest font). Another easy way to tell if mis-match. Also "NO." marking before serial number should have "." behind large caps letter "O", not "_" under small caps letter "o".

"P" proof marks - top of side, left side of receiver under mag release, left side of barrel lug

Slide stop - grooved
Mainspring housing - 8 ribs grooved
Hammer - checkered
Barrel (blued) - "HS" or "F" marks on the right side
Magazine (blued) - "G", "S", "L", or "R" mark. "G" mark is the most collectible.

Also based on the serial number you provided, it should have lighter grey parkerize. Earlier Remington Rand have darker parkerize.

[Bob K]

Thanks mlin. Appreciate the additional information.

[Bob K]

Well, I went and looked at the gun today armed with all the info I was able to acquire in the last couple of days. Based on the info, the gun appeared to be correct so I came home with it. Thanks for all the help. Now I can't wait to shoot it.

[mlin]

Bob_K

Congratulation! I think you will enjoy your range trip. Share some photos of your Remington Rand if possible.

I also just bought my first Remington Rand No. 2,44x,xxx. But I have to wait 10 days in California to bring it home. I'll post some photos when i got it.

[Bob K]

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc611Medium.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc612Medium.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc613Medium.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc614Medium.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc615Medium.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc618Medium.jpg http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x26/IrwinPedersen/misc619Medium.jpg

[Bob K]

What do you guys think about the finish?

[bgiven]

It looks like a typical late war 1945 RRand.... finish tends to be on the light grey side. Is it just the camera angle, or is the slide just a shade darker than the frame ???? Might be the flash, or lighting playing games.......???

[bigredc]

It looks good. It's probably a good idea to strip that baby down and give it a good cleaning and oiling, http://www.m1911.org/stripin1.htm

[mlin]

Finish looks original. Looks to be normal service wear; not a beat up piece. I found that Remington Rand 1911A1 strikes a good balance as shooting and collecting piece. Price is relatively more affordable than a WWII Colt or US&S, but quality is top notch too.

[Bob K]

Thanks for the comments. I was thinking it might be the original finish, but I'm not very experienced with finishes.
By the way, the slide is a little darker than the frame.
I stripped it down and it looks very clean; just needs a bit of oil/grease.

[Scott Gahimer]

http://forum.m1911.org/showpost.php?p=317932&postcount=14

Hope that helps.

[Bob K]

Thanks Scott. That was good reading. I believe mine has nearly the same finish as those pictured with serial numbers that are close to mine.
I see you are also from Indiana. Which part? I am from the extreme Northwest.

[Scott Gahimer]

Central/SE Inidiana...just about 30 minutes from Indy.

[Bob K]

Should the "HS" stamped on the barrel have a serifed font or should it be sans-serif ?
Where the letters stamped on the toe of the base plate before assembling the clip or after? I have one stamped lightly with the letter "G" which had to have been stamped before assembly because part of the top of the "G" is under the metal. This clip did not come with this particular gun. The clip which came with the gun has a letter "L" stamped in it. I also picked a couple of clips the have a circled "F" stamped on the bottom of the base plate and about a dozen with 6-digit serial numbers stamped on the bottom. Can anyone tell me anything about these?
Scott, are you anywhere near Batesville? I bought several M1 carbines from there.

[mlin]

Bob K

The HS barrel on mine has sans-serif fonts. The "G" marked magazine came with my RR is exactly the same as you described (stamped on base plate before assembled). I am guessing those 6 digit number magazines are post-war contract. Can you post photos of those?

My RR's light grey parkerized finish has slightly green tint. It also has mixed parkerized and blued small parts (just like the late 1945 RR example shown on Karl Karash's 1911 photo CD, which is a great reference material. Thumbs UUUp). Below are a few photos (click to see original size) of my newly acquired 1945 late production Remington Rand.
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/26139/2946671840049645583S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2946671840049645583RQOtgQ)
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/25198/2036887630049645583S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2036887630049645583QgLtva)
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/27355/2538480560049645583S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2538480560049645583RiRYya)
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/24808/2614450990049645583S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2614450990049645583FgruXi)

[Doran]

F in a circle indicates Ballester-Molina and the numbered magazines likely Argentina. Square font indicates Ballester and more script-like font indicates Sistema. Pictures would help identify what you have.