1911a1's in Canada

Mike Webb · Jul 29, 2009

I'm new to this forum, nice to find one in Canada, nothing against the U.S.A.
I recently acquired a 1944 Remington Rand 1911a1, with a few internet searches for original Rand parts, I have restored it to original issue.
Are there any other members out there that are into 1911's?
I would be interested in availability of these guns in Canada(e.g., Have you seen many?) and their value here. Anybody come across any Rands, Colts,
Ithacas, Union Switch& Signal or (not likely) Singers.

Thanks, Mike

TGC · Jul 29, 2009

There are a lot of us here into the 1911, all models all makes, all manufactures, brands etc

t-star · Jul 29, 2009

there's quite a few around in canada- i've got one as well- 43 issue- as to what they're worth, someone on here willl be by shortly- if i remember correctly, rr was the second most numerous, after the colt

joe n · Jul 29, 2009

2 Rands at Epps as we speak I heard...

Lee Enfield · Jul 29, 2009

Mike Webb said:
I'm new to this forum, nice to find one in Canada, nothing against the U.S.A.
I recently acquired a 1944 Remington Rand 1911a1, with a few internet searches for original Rand parts, I have restored it to original issue.
Are there any other members out there that are into 1911's?
I would be interested in availability of these guns in Canada(e.g., Have you seen many?) and their value here. Anybody come across any Rands, Colts,
Ithacas, Union Switch& Signal or (not likely) Singers.

Thanks, Mike

My only 1911A1 is a Norinco. Having said that, I do have a straight Colt 1911 (pre 1911A1).

A friend had a Union Switch & Signal 1911A1, mostly because of the train connotation.

In addition, if I can work the trade of a Rem Rand slide for an Ithaca slide, then I might have to accumulate an Ithaca 1911A1.

Mike Webb · Jul 29, 2009

I am not alone.

Thanks for the replies, glad to see others with the same sickness.
The Rand is the most common, here are the production figures if interested,
Remington Rand- 875,000
Colt-628,808
Ithaca-335,467
Union Switch&Signal-55,000
Singer- 500(Wish I had one)
I will check Epps for pricing.
Mike

Nyles · Jul 29, 2009

Any excuse to post these...

Here are mine, a 1943 Colt M1911A1 and an RAF-issued 1919 British contract in .455 Webley Auto, both with 1940s dated British issue cartridges. Both match and are in great condition inside and out.

<a href="http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/Nyles303/Handguns/?action=view&current=P7110760.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/Nyles303/Handguns/P7110760.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Nyles · Jul 29, 2009

Whoops, copied the wrong link and crappy CF internet won't let me edit my post...

Mike Webb · Jul 29, 2009

Hey, Nyles
Nice guns, the a1 is in awesome condition.
Checked E. Epps website, they are asking 600 for a Rand.
I hope it's in rough shape, I wouldn't take that for mine.
Will post pics when I conquer the digital camera

NAA · Jul 29, 2009

Mike Webb said:
Are there any other members out there that are into 1911's?

I've had a mild interest in USGI 1911 & 1911A1's going back 30 years or so..... :redface:

My "big four" from WWII:

From top left: 1942 Colt; 1943 Union Switch & Signal; 1944 Remington Rand; 1945 Ithaca:

1942 mfg Colt 1911A1:

1943 mfg Union Switch & Signal 1911A1:

1945 mfg Ithaca 1911A1 [center between '42 Colt (top) and '44 Remington Rand (bottom)]:

Another 1944 mfg Remington Rand [not a lot of finish left]:

Another 1944 mfg Remington Rand [refinished/reworked etc]

1917 mfg Colt USGI 1911:

1914 mfg Colt Commercial Government [4 digit serial #]

NAA.

Nyles · Jul 29, 2009

NAA, you win.

NAA · Jul 29, 2009

Nyles said:
NAA, you win.

Not even close..... wait until a couple others post theirs....

But I gotta admit, they do grow on ya.....

NAA.

Pocketfisherman · Jul 29, 2009

NAA said:
I've had a mild interest in USGI 1911 & 1911A1's going back 30 years or so.....

That's the understatement of the century!

Me too, 1911's are like lays chips...

crazy_davey · Jul 29, 2009

My 1943 Ithica 1911A1:

can14 · Jul 30, 2009

I have a 1929 colt 1911 38 super engraved with guy's name and RCAF on slide in exc++ condition

Bittermansbro · Jul 30, 2009

If NAA has a 'mild' interest in 1911's, then...well....what's less than mild?

My only original 1911A1 is a 1943 Colt Commercial that was taken over my the military with about 5 or 6 thousand others and converted to military use. Known as the Colt Commercial/Military Model.

The rest of my 1911's are WWI's and a WWI repro.

And yes, I like em too.

Nyles · Jul 31, 2009

Ok, I just bought one of the Rands at Epps, who got the other?

The one I got has a British-style endless steel loop around the lanyard ring like some of their contract 1911s, I'm hoping it's a lend-lease gun. If it's not, it's still a good representative Remington Rand for the collection.

NAA · Aug 1, 2009

Speaking of available WWII era USGI 1911A1's.... there was one on the EE this afternoon.... a mix-master as they are commony referred to. The frame was later 1944 mfg Remington Rand and the slide was Colt. Correct Keyes type brown plastic grips. Small parts looked correct, hammer was likely Colt, too. Overall pretty decent shape.... asking was $650 on one of those "for sale for a friend" deals. Only lasted a couple hours then was marked "SPF". And pics taken down. Somebody got a pretty good deal me thinks.

NAA.

joe n · Aug 1, 2009

Hi NAA, sorry I should have kept the pics up, but I had so many "I'll take it"s I just deleted the whole thread as soon as it sold. When I saw this, I knew it had to go to a Gunnut, Lord only knows where else it would have ended up for sale.
Anyway, thanks again for the help on this one. As I said in the pm, your expertise here is very much appreciated

Here are the pics if you would like to see them (I am sure the new owner would not mind). I would have bought this for myself if I did not have a nice Rand already.