Remington Rand 1911A1 original or not?

[tcbnick]

I recently picked-up this pistol and after days of looking I still can't tell if it is all orginal or a mish mash of parts as so many old 1911 are. The fella I got this from claims its org. and has owned it since the early 50s. During my researce I have learned the history of RR and the mfg date of 1944 but not if all these parts belong together with all the inspectors stamps, barrel markings, millatary rebuids and so on and so on. My ? is  Is there a referance someware that says that the slide says this, barrel says that, this marking is on the trigger, so I know for sure that I have a beater to maybe just shoot, carry, or maybe rebuid or a nice piece to keep as is? I just need a place to look for info Thanks

[williamlayton]

The history of manufactuering during WWII is such that anyone with maching tools got into the war effort. There were at least 6 companies that did .45 work.
The reason that parts got mis-matched is from Military Armorers.
They would get all weapons turned in and dissasemble them for maintence and cleaning and they do this in batches--so the parts, which are all interchangeable, get put back in different frames.
It doesn't make it a bad weapon but it does make it a chore to find one with all the correct manuf. marks.
I had a friend, years ago when they were cheap, buy a bunch and tried to make a complete RR--it drove him nuts, but he did it.
Blessings 

[rbwillnj]

There are a number of good websites for researching 1911's.   The Site 1911 M1A is very good, and this page http://www.sightm1911.com/index.htm  may have the answers you seek.   

Another great website is http://www.coolgunsite.com/     Check out the ID pages and you can see if the parts in your gun match up with what would be in an all original gun.

Most miltary 1911's have been through an arsenal rebuild.  During the rebuild, the good parts from some guns get used with the good parts from other guns resulting in a mix and match gun.  Originals in good condition that have not been rebuilt go for heavy prices.  I was at a gun show this weekend were some 1911A1's were going for over 4 grand.

[SHOOTALL]

I got such a gun in the 80's that a Marine was building from spare parts he got at surplus sales from govt. The one i got shot well but the spring broke and wedged in the fireing pin and it went auto . Anyway i found out RR slides were soft by todays standard and traded it for a new Colt.

[1911crazy]

Remington Rand, Bridgeport,Ct they manufactured type writers before the war.

A few of my Aunt's in the family worked there for many years.

[tcbnick]

Thanks Guys, The web sites helped, and after ahole lot of notes, everything checks out to be org. without the rebuild marks and without the "s" for service I'm still getting different finishes, mines blue some say thats right some not and the barrel seems to be a colt, it has a "c" inside a "[]", can't find if thats ok, it is not listed as a barrel that RR used but both have a listed 1944 date, so I still have ? I guess that means some more reading and writing
Thanks Again

[SHOOTALL]

Check out wikipedia they have some good history , click on the 1911 part . Gives a nice picture to compare to maybe it will help .

[Beans]

Thanks Guys, The web sites helped, and after ahole lot of notes, everything checks out to be org. without the rebuild marks and without the "s" for service I'm still getting different finishes, mines blue some say thats right some not and the barrel seems to be a colt, it has a "c" inside a "[]", can't find if thats ok, it is not listed as a barrel that RR used but both have a listed 1944 date, so I still have ? I guess that means some more reading and writing
Thanks Again

 http://www.coolgunsite.com/
Colts from somewhere in the 2 million range number range, (1945 production) will have barrels with a Gothic  “C” in a square on the Left lug.  A “P” mark will also usually be applied to the left lug.  These barrels are fully blued with a semi-matte semi-reflective finish.

[Lloyd Smale]

an all original one is very rare. thats why they comand a high price. Ive seen quite a few on the dealers shelves but most were obviously not original. If you really think you have an original one you should definately have someone who really knows look at it.

[Captain Emo]

Send me an email with your serial number.  I'll send you back a list of parts and how to ID them.