Calling any WW2 1911A1 Gurus

[swingcatt]

Howdy Members, I am looking at an old worn out 1911a1 from a neighbor. The sn is 1595xxx and the frame is stamped "United States Property 1911A1 US Army". What can you tell me about it?

From what I can tell by searching on the internet, the sn range was made by Remington Rand in 1943. Does this make it any more valuable? How do I tell it's definitely a Remington Rand? There is another number on the slide 7790xxx, I'm not sure where it's located at on the slide, but that's what the fellow told me. What's this number all about?

I don't know much about these old Colts, if someone more knowledgeable would like to chip in, I sure would be appreciative! Any idea of a ballpark worth? Thanks a lot!


-SC

 

[M.A.]

The serial number sounds about right for a '43 Remington-Rand. The "other number" on the slide might mean it's a replacement slide. Remington slides had Remington-Rand stamped on them. Early Colts had the frame serial number stamped on the slide, under the firing pin stop. With pictures or a better description, I may be able to help further. Maybe this link to a 1911 site can help.....

http://www.coolgunsite.com/

 

[Tim]

Two more good 1911 websites: http://usgi1911.tripod.com/ http://www.sightm1911.com/

 

[dsk]

Like MA said, it sounds like a Remington Rand frame with a post-WW2 contract replacement slide. Remington Rands are the most common of all M1911A1's, however just about anything that's genuine GI is rapidly going up in value. If you can show some pictures I can tell you if the rest of it is 100% USGI.

 

[Psssniper]

this page helped me a lot

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/1911infopage.htm

 

[Trebor]

If the gun is truly "worn out" and looks it, it's gonna have more value as a shooter then as a collector piece. A Remington Rand mismatch would be a very common 1911A1.

 

[swingcatt]

Hey guys, thanks. I consulted the books last night and decided that it is, indeed a Remington Rand frame with a Colt slide. The number on the Colt slide seems out of whack, seeing as how the slide numbers in WW2 was in the 1,000,000 reange while this one is in the 7,000,000 range! Oh well, I treated it as a shooter grade and offered him $250 for it. For that price, I can afford to put some money into it and fix it up, or sit on it and hope that I come across a Remington Rand slide one day!

Thanks for your help, those are great sites!!

-SC

 

[FPrice]

swingcatt...

I just saw this thread and, as I am at work, cannot look at my Harrison book or any other references. However a slide number in the 7,000,000 range sounds funny. I do not think they went nearly that high but I could be wrong.

In any case I think you made a smart choice in making an offer. Even if it's just a "shooter" it's still a nice gun to have.

Is there any chance you can find a digital camera and take some pics?

 

[swingcatt]

If I get the firearm, I will certainly post some pics. The only thing I hope is that he didn't add an extra number in when he was typing the slide number in! Then it would be a 700,000 number and not a 7,000,000 number, making it a WW2 era Colt slide.


I'll keep everyone posted.

-SC

 

[Jim Watson]

The number on the slide is NOT a serial number and does not correlate to gun or receiver serial numbers. It is a blueprint or specification number for a replacement slide. There is one like it in the next room, 7790314, that has never been on a gun.

 

[swingcatt]

Well Jim, if this was the fair, you would've won the big cupie doll! That's exactly the number printed on this guy's slide. I thought that seemed awful high to be a s/n, but the way some manufacturers skip around, you can never tell. Can you tell me what the number cooresponds too, such as a ballpark date or contract?

Thanks!
SC

 

[Jim Watson]

I have seen a list of what and who those numbers referred to, but don't have it at hand. Ask over on www.1911forum.com on the USGI forum and somebody might come up with it.

 

[Ty]

Sounds like a contractor or Perry Match slide on Rem Rand

There are slides marked with 779xxxxx numbers that were used for Camp Perry National Match USGI pistols in the 1960s, it may be one of those. If so its probably a mix matched parts guns (if no SA and NM mark on the frame). It should be valued as a shooter only, images would help. Thats my best guess
Cheers,
Ty
www.CoolGunSite.com