Date of Rem Rand

I've got an all original Remington Rand serial#1543xxx.I bought it from an estate. It was in a like new SEARS holster with no date on it. The gun still had ww2 dated ammo in the mag. The gun has about 98% original finish on it. Grandson doesn't think grandpaw shot it much if any, all though the bore does have some slight frosting in it, so it may have had a couple of those ww2 rounds fired in it and not cleaned afterwards. By the serial # what month in 1943 was this gun made? Would an S marked mag be correct for this gun? Were all SEARS holsters undated? What is a ballpark value for this rig?

1944 14711431-1609528 Remington Rand

It's hard to pinpoint the exact month Remingon made it. I don't think I've ever seen any exact shipping dates for Remington. I think if I remember right reading in Clawson's book that they were lost or there was a fire, or something to that effect that destroyed the records. But by your serial number I would guess the middle to later time frame in 1944.

Anyways as far as a value, I sold one in similar condition about a year ago. I think it went for about $1600 on gunbroker. It seems right now that 1911 and A1 prices are down with the economy, and you can find some really good deals. I just bought a WWI USMC 1911 for about half of what it would have sold for last year. It just all depends on how bad someone wants it, and what they are willing to give you for it.

S marked mags were manufactured by Scovill Mfg. Co in Waterbury Conn. and is a WWII issued mag. Most collectors like to see Remingtons with a G marked mag for General Shaver, which was a sub division of Remington Rand. It might be original, as I believe Scovill did ship mags to Remington Rand, but it's hard telling. When you think of how many magazines were made for WWII, and the GI's didn't care if they kept the original one or not. And most Gi's were issued at least three magazines with a pistol. I highly doubt many issued pistols out there have their original mag their were shipped with. Just my opinion.

As far as the holster I've seen both Sears dated and un-dated. Why the difference someone else will have to explain to you as that is out of my field of experience.

Nice find. :)

There have probably been more than a few original Little, Risdon, or Scovill magazines taken out of Remington Rand pistols and replaced with General Shaver magazines. I would leave the Scovill magazine in the pistol, just like it was when you purchased it. If it had a lanyard loop or plain base two tone, you would know it wasn't correct, but the Scovill stands just a good, if not better, chance of being original to the pistol than a General Shaver.
If you would care to post the serial number I can give you a very good idea of what month the Remington Rand was made.

Hi Johnny Peppers
The serial # of my Rem-Rand is 15431xx. The slide on this gun has a very slight color difference on the front 1 1/2 inches. I assume this is from a heat treating of the recoil lug area of the slide, am I correct and is this an indication of original finish? Thanks