Remington Rand 1911a1 Markings May 2026

Decoding History: The Complete Guide to Remington Rand 1911A1 Markings

For collectors of military sidearms, few names evoke the spirit of World War II quite like Remington Rand. However, unlike Colt or Springfield Armory, Remington Rand was not a traditional firearms manufacturer. Before 1942, they were famous for typewriters and business machines. Yet, during the war, they became the largest producer of the M1911A1 pistol, delivering over 875,000 units to the U.S. Government.

Part II: The Slide Markings (The Most Visible Feature)

The slide is the billboard of the 1911. Remington Rand used four distinct variations of slide markings over three years. Identifying these is step one. remington rand 1911a1 markings

Type II Slide (Mid-late 1943)

  • Three lines:

The left side of the slide is the most critical area for identifying the production era: Decoding History: The Complete Guide to Remington Rand

6. What is NOT correct (common fakes/errors)

  • “A1” marked on slide – Remington Rand never marked “1911A1” on slide; only “1911A1” in military nomenclature, not slide rollmark.
  • Patent dates (e.g., PATENTED APR 20 1897 etc.) – that’s Colt.
  • “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” spelled out fully – correct is U.S. PROPERTY.
  • Serial number with “No” without a period – must be No. (period).
  • Remington Rand Logo: The Remington Rand logo is one of the most distinctive markings found on the gun. It consists of a stylized "RR" monogram, surrounded by a circle. The logo is typically found on the left side of the frame, near the trigger guard.
  • P Proof Mark: The P proof mark is a small stamp that indicates that the gun has been proofed by the military. It consists of a capital "P" surrounded by a circle, and it is typically found on the right side of the frame, near the ejection port.
  • Military Acceptance Mark: The military acceptance mark is a stamp that indicates that the gun has been accepted by the military. It consists of a small "OK" or "US" stamp, and it is typically found on the left side of the frame, near the trigger guard.
  • Inspector's Mark: The inspector's mark is a stamp that was applied by the government's inspector, who verified that the gun met military specifications. The inspector's mark typically consists of a small initials or a symbol, and it is found on the right side of the frame, near the ejection port.
  • Serial Number: The serial number is a unique number that was assigned to each gun during production. It is typically found on the frame, near the trigger guard, and on the slide.

Proof Marks: A small "P" proof mark is typically found near the magazine release on the frame and on the top of the slide. Three lines: