Low S/N Remington

[ankara1980]

Another post from a newbie wondering what he purchased.

About a month ago I purchased an M1911A1 Remington from a local gunshop. It was on consignment from the widow of the owner (trying to find out more info about him). It turned out to be a low S/N, 918278, which puts it in 1942 manufacture from what I've been able to research. It is apparently one of the early Remingtons manufactured before they worked out all their manufacturing problems. It shoots very nicely. Here are some photos:

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2582.jpg

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2581.jpg

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2585.jpg

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2584.jpg

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2595.jpg

It has the early "Colt 45 Auto" barrel

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2590.jpg

Can someone tell me what the "C" and the "N" or "Z" in the squares mean? There are also numerous Rockwell Hardness indentations on the pistol.

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2597a.jpg

One thing that seems odd (if not incorrect) is the wood grips. Did Remington use them on their very early production? They look like older Colt grips. (One of the bushings cone out with the grip, but it went right back in.) How should I condition the grips? Tung oil or anything else?

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2608.jpg

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2609.jpg

The thumb safety has a couple of odd rough places on the outside flat. Would they be stamping marks?

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2610.jpg

The magazine is unmarked except for the scratched-in name "John T"

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2599.jpg

Hope this isn't too long, but it has been fascinating to research this weapon, and I've learned a tremendous amount from the posts on this forum. So thanks to you all.

Hope the pics came thru this time

[Scott Gahimer]

Welcome to the forum. When you prepare to post, just click on Preview Post to check and see what your post will look like before posting. We look forward to seeing your pistol.

No, the Remington Rand pistols never had wooden grips.

[ankara1980]

Scott-
Thanks for your reply. I edited my post and I think the pics are there OK

[kenhwind]

Welcome to the forum.

[Scott Gahimer]

Your pistol appears to be original parts (except the grips) and entirely original Du-Lite blue finish. I would highly recommend you get another pistol to shoot and preserve this one. It is highly collectible.

Your thumb safety...it appears to just not be fully polished down...crude...and interesting.

The markings on the pistol you ask about are factory production markings (inspections probably).

Show us the bottom of your barrel...the marking in front of the lugs. Is there a "G" there?

The grips are Colt and are incorrect for your pistol. No big deal. I wouldn't lose sleep over that and would retain the Colt grips. They probably came home with the pistol. The GI perhaps didn't like the plastic grips.

Neat pistol. Hang onto it and preserve it...trust me. :appld:

[Duane Hansen]

Very Nice Type I Rem Rand. They are getting very hard to find. Thanks for taking the time to share the pictures with us.

[ankara1980]

Scott-
Thanks for all the great info. Here's a picture of the underside of the barrel. It does have the "G" on it.

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2592.jpg

[bgiven]

Really nice example. Like Scott said, certainly don't shoot it, as many collectors have waited years upon years to never come across an early Type I Rand.

[Johnny Peppers]

Could you post a picture of the checkered area of the hammer, as yours appears to be of a variety unique to some of the early Remington Rand pistols.
By all means don't turn it into a shooter, as it appears to be all correct with the exception of the grips.

[rekladan]

It certainly has the look of an old warhorse that wants to stay in the fight, but you're getting good advice here ankara1980...

Enjoy it, but don't shoot it! Methinks you need a new affordable (or better) 1911 to curb the temptation... :D

[TattooPaul]

Beautiful Du-Lite RemRand.Scott and Johnny are quite right - that one is a hard to find type of Remington. It will do nothing but appreciate in value and collectiblity. That thumb safety looks to be one of the experimental ones that were made out of separate pieces and brazed together easy manufacturing and speed up production.It was not adopted as standard practice. Those are very few and far between. Preserve that old vet! Thanks for the pics. They are a great tool for assessing a firearm and giving visual reference for others.

Welcome aboard! You'll find the site and the members to be excellent.

[ankara1980]

Johnny Peppers-
I'll try to post a photo of the hammer tomorrow late.
Everyone-
Thanks for all the great info and recommendations. I went out to buy something to shoot, now it looks as if I'll have to find another one.

[ankara1980]

Johnny Peppers-
Here's a pic of the trigger checkering:

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/ankara1980/M1911A1/100_2641a.jpg

Is it an early one?

Is this an appropriate place to ask what the value of the pistol might be?

Thanks.

[lenb]

Wow, great pics of a really nice Type I Remington Rand, Ankara! It looks like you found a rare one. Take good care of it, as others said, it's quite a piece of history, and one that looks to have some unique features.

Len

[rekladan]

I went out to buy something to shoot, now it looks as if I'll have to find another one.
Try to find a Sistema... :D

[Kursktiger]

I saw a couple of Rands at a recent gun show, one was marked $1750 the other $1950 and neither one looked as nice as yours.

Yours appears to be in extraordinary condition. I will chime in and go with what previous posters have said about not shooting it. It truly is a rare gun. :)

[bgiven]

At those prices of $1750 and $1950 it's doubtful your comparing apples to apples. I would assume they were just the more common Type III RRands, as the early Type I's command a hefty price.