CMP Round Four 3/43 Remington Rand 1911-A1

[oldfoneguy]

After an 18 month wait my number was finally called and what arrived was a little disappointing... at first. She's not much to look at, a field grade, came with a brand new mag, shipped in a beautiful case, but that's just the start. Anniston Arsenal 1975 rebuild stamp. It has a RR slide (type 3) and frame (type 2), a Colt barrel, postwar replacement serrated hammer and slide catch, original mainspring housing, spring plug and safety. I haven't broken down the slide and frame yet to check inside.

I had the CMP run a delivery history on it and what came up was both surprising and cool. Shipped 4/43 to an unknown arsenal for storage, then shipped to England. Sat with hundreds of other same serial number sequence until dispersed. Assigned to the OSS 54th SCI Unit on 10/6/44. Most here will know what that means but for those that don't, the OSS was the Office Of Strategic Services which was the forerunner of the CIA. An SCI Unit was Special Counter Intelligence. These were the guys who went behind the lines in Italy and France during the war, spied and reported back Intelligence, stole plans and caused general mayhem. They also fed false information to the nazis through radio and hardwire communications as well as interrogation of suspected spies and double agents. They also assisted resistance units and any allies that were operating in their assigned areas.

I don't have a line on where the 54th operated yet but am continuing research, the info is out there and declassified. I also have FOIA request results that tell me where the pistol has been from 4/76 to 10/23. Post WWII until 1976 is generally an information void. Occasionally you can get lucky but rarely. I will post what I can find. Meanwhile enjoy the photos and FOIA information sheet.

I've also included my first 2 five round groups that I shot once I figured out the tiny sights with my terrible eyes. This 82 year old pistol can shoot.

[browningautorifle]

Honest old piece could have come right out of your holster in the '70s or early '80s.

[Daan Kemp]

Not sure what those counter intelligence guys were doing behing enemy lines, as counter intelligence has to do with security of own forces. OSS certainly was part of all those behind enemy lines actions.
The Colt certainly is just about brand new!

[oldfoneguy]

Not sure what those counter intelligence guys were doing behing enemy lines, as counter intelligence has to do with security of own forces. OSS certainly was part of all those behind enemy lines actions.

Hey Daan, try giving this a quick overview. It's a comprehensive report of X2 OSS unit by unit activities throughout the world during WWII. Fascinating stuff.

https://ia600605.us.archive.org/32/items/warreportofossof02unit/warreportofossof02unit.pdf

[ssgross]

This 82 year old pistol can shoot.

not surprising. I received a field grade Remington rand in round 2 - came with a chrome lined replacement barrel looked as clean as yours, likely never fired from what my bore scope showed, and shot just as well as your report.

[Daan Kemp]

Hey Daan, try giving this a quick overview. It's a comprehensive report of X2 OSS unit by unit activities throughout the world during WWII. Fascinating stuff.

What do you mean, quick overview!? I'm going to be reading this for days!
Awesome!
Thanks!

[oldfoneguy]

C'mon Daan it's only 504 pages and 6 of those are blank or title pages !