Reminton Rand USGI 1911A1
My friens grandfather just passed away and when they were cleaning up
the old boy's stuff they found a ww2 side arm
It is a Remington M1911A1 U.S. ARMY 45 AUTO SR#1952###
It is in mint shape. He wonts to no what it is worth.
By the serial number it is in the last batch produced by Remington Rand in 1944. [Note: Remington Rand is not the same as the Remington firearms company. Remington Rand was actually predominently a business machine company that obtained a contract with the US government to produce 1911A1 pistols for WWII]. From 1942 to 1945 Remington Rand produced some 900,000 1911A1's for the war effort so they are not particularly rare.
Pics would help determine value. One person's "mint" shape is different from anothers. Plus, detailed pics would help to determine if the small parts [grips, thumb safety, hammer, slide stop, etc] , slide script, proof marks, etc are correct for the year of mfg. For example, there is a difference in value between an original model in mint shape and an arsenal refurb piece [with the appropriate proof stamp so indicating] that is in "mint" shape.
If it indeed is in orginal "mint" shape and the small parts are correct, then it probably is worth in the neighborhood of $1,000 - $1,500.
Here's a good resource for him to research his Remington Rand USGI 1911A1:
http://www.coolgunsite.com/
Pic of an early model Remington Rand 1911A1:
