Remington Rand 1911a1 Markings Jun 2026
Early models used Keyes Fiber Company checkered plastic grips with a reinforcement ring around the screw hole. Later, the ring was removed, and some grips may show smaller rings. 4. Key Takeaways for Authentication
| Feature | Correct Remington Rand | |--------|----------------------| | Left slide | REMINGTON RAND INC. / SYRACUSE, N.Y. / U.S. PROPERTY | | Right slide | Flaming bomb only | | Frame left | No. 1xxxxxx | | Frame right | Blank | | Barrel marking | HS or F (not RR) | | Grip safety | Checkered, narrow |
During the Second World War, the US government contracted several companies to ramp up production of the standard-issue sidearm. Between 1943 and 1945, Remington Rand was tasked with producing licensed copies of the M1911 pistol. The company's output was staggering. , more than any other wartime manufacturer, including the legendary Colt and Ithaca. These pistols were instrumental in arming the US Armed Forces, and the markings they carry are a direct record of their hurried, high-quality wartime production.
The Collector’s Guide to Remington Rand 1911A1 Markings During World War II, the Remington Rand business machine company transformed its typewriter factories to produce the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol. Between 1942 and 1945, Remington Rand manufactured approximately 875,000 pistols—more than any other contractor, including Colt.
: A matching proof "P" mark is stamped on top of the slide, directly between the rear sight and the ejection port. remington rand 1911a1 markings
A pistol with a "Singer" slide on a Remington Rand frame is not a Remington Rand – it's a "parts gun." However, a Remington Rand slide on a Singer frame is a legendary "Frankenstein" that can exceed $20,000.
The left side of the slide contains the manufacturer name and location. These evolved through three distinct variations: Type 1 (Early 1943):
: Top of the slide, centered right in front of the rear sight assembly. Character : A single letter "P".
Early guns (1942-1943) had a Du-Lite blue-black finish. Later guns (1944-1945) switched to a light gray or green-gray zinc parkerized finish. Early models used Keyes Fiber Company checkered plastic
The left side of the frame focuses heavily on inspection stamps and military acceptance.
Remington Rand 1911A1 Markings: A Collector’s Guide to Wartime Variations
Collectors categorize Remington Rand slides into three "Types" based on the roll marks found on the left side:
Generally checkered (early) or grooved/serrated (late). Key Takeaways for Authentication | Feature | Correct
During World War II, the Remington Rand Company—better known for its typewriters—became the most prolific manufacturer of the M1911A1 pistol , producing roughly 958,764 units between 1943 and 1945. Because so many were made across different production "types," understanding their specific markings is essential for collectors to verify originality and historical accuracy.
: Found roughly between serial numbers 916,405 and 955,000. Layout : Two lines of text. Text :REMINGTON RAND INC.SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A.
For those interested in learning more about the Remington Rand 1911A1 and its markings, there are several additional resources available:
Aside from the major acceptance marks, smaller single-digit characters appear throughout the pistol components.
