Need Help to ID Lend Lease marks Rem Rand 1911A1

[jmoore]

The government release proof marks are certainly distinct from the "regular" commercial proofs, its just that I've seen all sorts of odd things w/ british proofs that people claim were government issue when they really weren't. Didn't mean to distract from the above pistol, sorry!

ETA Sorry about that- meant to just say "release marks" w/o the proof bit-D'oh!

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[Johnny Peppers]

The government release proof marks are certainly distinct from the "regular" commercial proofs, its just that I've seen all sorts of odd things w/ british proofs that people claim were government issue when they really weren't. Didn't mean to distract from the above pistol, sorry!

The release mark is not a proof. It, like the NOT ENGLISH MAKE, were simply notations that went along with the actual proofs. There may be other dates, but the only release marks I remember seeing are dated 1952. I have a feeling it was quickly realized that it would be too much hassle to change the release date every year, as the commercial sales of military weapons went on for several years. Also, it was not a requirement of the Proof Act. As stated previously, there are 1911A1 pistols in known Lend-Lease serial number ranges with pre-1955 proofs with and without the release date.
The British proofs had nothing to do with military issue. Simply, any firearm made in a country that did not have a reciprocal proof agreement with England had to be proofed before being sold commercially in England. Military weapon proofing of small arms normally did not qualify as commercial proofing. It is not uncommon to find German Lugers with British proofs, which is simply an indication of being sold in England.