I recently picked up a 43 Rand with 95% or better finish on it. I've been checking out all the guides online and found one thing that doesn't sit with all the info out there. The gun is all original finish with typical scratches on it, but mostly a really nice piece. However the hammer doesn’t match any of the online guides I’ve seen. The finish matches exactly, and anyone who is not an expert, or researched it, would never notice.

Except for the hammer, it looks exactly like this example:

http://coolgunsite.com/images/1911/..._sn_1377211.htm

The serial number for my piece is 1289XXX

The hammer however looks almost exactly like this:

http://www.coolgunsite.com/images/hammers/1911ha37.jpg

The only difference I can tell is the parkerized finish which matches the gun perfectly.

I’ll post pictures later when I get my camera, but does anyone think this could be a part switchout? I certainly hope it’s not. Any info would be appreciated!


Thanks for your time and the great forums.

The hammer is a Colt hammer, and was probably swapped out some time later. It would not have been impossible for a Colt hammer to have been installed initially on your pistol, but I think it's very unlikely at that serial range. Many prefer the Colt wide spur hammers for shooting because of the extra surface area for thumbing the hammer.
Ordnance specifications required a matching finish frame and slide. But small parts usually will not match the rest of the gun. They usually tend to be darker than the slide and frame.
Remington Rands in your serial range often show a very slight difference in color on their slides and frames on original finish guns. They were, however, close enough to pass inspection.

I'll have to take pictures to post. It doesnt look like the crosshatch pattern I've seen of any of the Colts online. It's disapointing to know that something has been switched.


My only other issue is shooting the gun. Should I leave it alone? Should I shoot it? I don't plan on selling it, but I feel bad thinking that I might be decreasing it's value.

Thanks again!

I'll look forward to seeing the photos you post. The answer to your question regarding whether or not to shoot it will depend on what you actually have.
I agree if the gun is all original finish, shooting it is bound to put some wear on the pistol.
I personally like the idea of preserving original guns that have some condition left in them, and turning those of lesser condition and originality into the shooters. They all shoot just about the same, even the ones with no finish and those that are refinished.

Here she is.. I didnt want to post a bunch of huge pictures, so I just whipped up a webpage to show it.

http://mathewc.com/remingtonrand/

Let me know if you would like to see more pictures or closeups of anything.

Thanks for looking!

Just a quick note: The last three digits of the serial have been blurred, but no other alterations to the images were made.


I'm also curious what this piece is worth, or what condition you think it's in. It looks like 95%ish or better, but I'd wouldn't mind someone who knows better then I to correct me.

I'm never going to sell it so any info on it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Here's the olde line: what ever someone is willing to pay.
But for a closer guess, check through the following auction sites:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/
http://www.auctionarms.com/
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/d...itemnum=5878951 (reblued )
http://www.gunbroker.com/