Looking to Research Rem-Rand 1911A1

[ulflyer]

I have an early model and would like to try to research where it would have been sent after it was made in 1943. I'm guessing the records are vague or nonexistent, but would like to pursue it to see what can be found.

Ideas, suggestions?

 

[tark]

Pics and all but the last two of the serial # would help. Might ever try a letter to one of the gun mags. Simply googling "Remington Rand 1911" will give you a lot of info to start with.

 

[Balrog]

It's easy to date WWII 1911s. All you need is the serial number. Google 1911 manufacture dates and you should be able to find it.

 

[ulflyer]

Sorry, should have included serial 9839** which makes it 1943 and it has the dulite finish...well it was once before most was worn off. Gun is in very nice mechanical condition, looking like it was carried/handled a lot but not banged/scratched up at all. Actually shoots very well with moderate hand loads although not shot very often. Barrel is slightly frosted but it doesn't seem to affect accuracy. I've had it for some years, bought long enuf ago when $500 was considered pricy! I'm my dotage, I would love to find out where it was sent for dispersal after manufacture. Years ago I inquired of Springfield Research and while this number did not show up, the nearest to it was sent to "4th Airdrome Group".....wherever that was....have not been able to even locate such a Group. I'll give your suggestions a try and see if I can find out anything more. Not a very good pic but here it is:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/p9080001-2-jpg.32780/

 

[tipoc]

I have an early model and would like to try to research where it would have been sent after it was made in 1943. I'm guessing the records are vague or nonexistent, but would like to pursue it to see what can be found.

Ideas, suggestions?

Try here:

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt production.htm

http://www.coltautos.com/1911a1ci_984284.htm

 

[ulflyer]

Thanks Tipoc. According to a footnote on the coolgunsite, Rem-Rand did not manufacture or ship in consecutive serial number order. That being the case, its highly unlikely that I would ever find any records of where batches of RR's were shipped. I did find out that the Mainspring Housing on mine is one made by Singer, just some of the parts that RR acquired in the early days of mfg. At least I have a little piece of a Singer. LOL

 

[tipoc]

"According to a footnote on the coolgunsite, Rem-Rand did not manufacture or ship in consecutive serial number order. That being the case, its highly unlikely that I would ever find any records of where batches of RR's were shipped."

The one does not correlate with the other. At the Government's request RR kept strict records of the production and shipments of these guns by serial number with only a few exceptions. Don't give up you haven't even touched the surface much less scratched it.

Your gun was likely produced in July of 1943.

 

[Ron James]

If you have good karma, you may find out where the gun was first shipped. Other than the possible theater of war, you are never going to find out where that 1911 has been, Such records don't exist ; After it arrives " in country " all records are temporary and are non archival . That means local records are destroyed or thrown away when no longer current or needed'

 

[ulflyer]

If you have good karma, you may find out where the gun was first shipped. Other than the possible theater of war, you are never going to find out where that 1911 has been, Such records don't exist ; After it arrives " in country " all records are temporary and are non archival . That means local records are destroyed or thrown away when no longer current or needed'

I've been all over the sites I could find with no luck at finding even the theater of war. That's all I hoped to find, if that.
Way back, Springfield records listed one serial in the general range of mine as being sent to "4th Airdrome Group". I've not been able to find any location for that group, and even if I did, no assurance mine was in that batch.

 

[Ron James]

Airdrome is a WWI term, Springfield records would have no bearing on a Remington Rand

 

[ulflyer]

Airdrome is a WWI term, Springfield records would have no bearing on a Remington Rand

I can't think of anything else, but maybe someday, the RR records will surface in some old warehouse. By then I'll likely be gone so it won't matter any more. Appreciate all the replies.

 

[tipoc]

If you have good karma, you may find out where the gun was first shipped. Other than the possible theater of war, you are never going to find out where that 1911 has been, Such records don't exist ; After it arrives " in country " all records are temporary and are non archival . That means local records are destroyed or thrown away when no longer current or needed'

This is correct. It's quite rare that anyone finds out more than where it was shipped to. That is usually a supply depot. From there you can infer a theater. Records of where it was shipped beyond that are rare.

It usually won't be found on the internet...books. Collectors have forged this trail some time back.

 

[GRIZ22]

It's nearly impossible to find out where a specific military firearm wound up after manufacture. Those who have found out have been extremely lucky. If the serial number of the firearm wound up in some official document is about the only way.

 

[tipoc]

Keep in mind there are forums (or sub forums) devoted to looking up military 1911s. THR ain't one of them. You can learn more there.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

There was no 4th Airdrome Group, but there was a 4th Airdrome Squadron which served in New Guinea and the Philippines. Airdrome squadrons operated air bases; I'd guess they got pistols for issue to their security units.