WWII Remington Rand

Alfonso

Alfonso

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Okanagan
I recently purchased this Remington Rand 1911A1. The serial number (2,218,###) range places it DOB to 1945. A couple of questions that I have are: It seems to me that the front sight post is a bit too tall, could this have been altered? The pistol has obviously been blued based on the pictures. Could this be the original factory bluing or a refurb down the road maybe for Vietnam? Everything else seems to be original except for maybe the trigger?

Any insight, opinions, comments or possible history would be greatly appreciated.

IMG_0802_zpsbc4f1ca9.jpg
 
I paid about $400 for this gun. I'm considering restoring it back to its original (or at least as close as I can come) genesis. Do you think (using a gunsmith) trimming down the sites and replacing the rear site as well as parkerizing the gun would be worth the effort? Does anyone know of a fellow in BC that does a good job with phosphatizing?

Thanks
 
I wouldn't 'trim down' the front sight to restore it.

If you really want to restore your RR then I would try to find a period correct front and rear sight.
 
Alfonso said:
I paid about $400 for this gun. I'm considering restoring it back to its original (or at least as close as I can come) genesis. Do you think (using a gunsmith) trimming down the sites and replacing the rear site as well as parkerizing the gun would be worth the effort? Does anyone know of a fellow in BC that does a good job with phosphatizing?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There are guys on here that do the Parkerizing with a Brownell's Kit at home.

As for the front and rear sight parts, Marstar, Sarco or Numrich may have what you need to restore it.
 
For $400 you did fine. Most wouldn't consider one like this collectable, but you could restore it back to a USGI appearance and have a nice retro shooter.

NAA pretty much summed it up, the mods are certainly not military and somebody did some serious work on this pistol after it left military service. Not really much more harm you can do at this point.

Good luck with what you decide to do!
-Steve
 
I guess it depends on whether you want to shoot it, or look at it. GI sights suck ass, likely why some prior owner had them replaced. Parking it will make it look better, but wont increase the value. I'd just shoot it, and when you get tired of it, you can sell it for what you paid, or even a bit more.
 
Steve1987 said:
For $400 you did fine. Most wouldn't consider one like this collectable, but you could restore it back to a USGI appearance and have a nice retro shooter.

NAA pretty much summed it up, the mods are certainly not military and somebody did some serious work on this pistol after it left military service. Not really much more harm you can do at this point.

Good luck with what you decide to do!
-Steve
Click to expand...

As I stated in the 'other' thread at $400 you did very well on this pistol.

If it was me, I might be inclined to leave it as is and shoot it first. The modest mods to it might surprize you.

Steve has it right, though. Restored for a 'retro' look would make it a nice GI shooter.

A guy can't have too many USGI 1911A1's, eh?

Here's another '44 mfg Remington Rand "shooter grade" I have:

[Note the wide spur Colt type hammer & early Keyes grips without rings around grip screws]:

DSCN4823a.jpg


Has remnants of original finish, this one I'm leaving "as is" for sure. This one does not have any arsenal refurb markings on it.

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NAA.
 
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Just one more thing....

Wondering if your pistol has a "SA" [Springfield Arsenal refurb] stamp on the right side of the pistol frame?

Typically found, just above the trigger guard bow [like this]:

MVC-799F.JPG


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NAA.
 
NAA said:
Just one more thing....

Wondering if your pistol has a "SA" [Springfield Arsenal refurb] stamp on the right side of the pistol frame?

Typically found, just above the trigger guard bow [like this]:

MVC-799F.JPG


:canadaFlag:
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NAA.
Click to expand...

NAA, No it doesn't. Please check out recent more detailed pictures added. Thank you!
 
You ought to see mine: Colt frame, RR slide, H&R tropical chrome-lined VN-issue barrel, plastic grips, reblued over top of an old Parkerised finish AND rust pitting.

Poor old thing looks like it is dying of Leprosy, but it is sure accurate when you can get it to feed.

It's one of the ones that the Americans left behind in 'Nam, rebuilt there post-War and sold here. It also has an arsenal rebuild mark from the US, so the old girl has definitely "been there, done that". But she didn't get the T-shirt, so she lives in an Aussie Hi-Power holster that did 200 missions in the front seat of a Huey.

I usually keep it hidden and locked away because it scares the crap outta the Communist under my bed.
 
Alfonso said:
NAA, No it doesn't. Please check out recent more detailed pictures added. Thank you!
Click to expand...

Yeah, thanks.... on the downside.... no SA or other arsenal refurb mark [ie, AA, RIA etc] would indicate that your refinish was likely not arsenal done.

No worries, it's still a good shooter & the acquisition price was a good deal.

Here's another '44 mfg "shooter" Remington Rand 1911A1 GI [mostly]:

This one does have the "SA" refurb proof. But it's also a total refinish [dark parkerized finish]. Adjustable aluminum trigger, new grips, new barrel, mainspring housing with lanyard loop removed.... otherwise pretty much "as issued" USGI...

RR03a.jpg


RR03e.jpg


Back in the day, circa 1990 there were lots of these surplus GI 1911A1's around and they were 'cheap'. Usually could pick them up in the $150 - $250 price point. And then go to town doing your own mods.

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NAA.
 
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