Remington Rand..Brazilian slide.

[DeputyBill]

While it is certainly OK to like the worn pistols, most of the military pistols in private hands left the military approximately 40 to 100 years ago. Whether the wear came from military usage or from being carried under Bubba's truck seat is impossible to determine. In the end wear is just wear no matter where it came from and that determines their value in the collecting world. They were all made for the same thing.

I have to chime in my agreement. I was privileged to serve during the transitional period (USA, 82nd Abn Div) from '86-'90. About midway during my (initial) service, my unit turned in our M1911-A1s for the new Berettas. Needless to say, our well-worn "forty-fives" were valued for their utility & reliability; we didn't think about aesthetics or future collectibility, of course. Now, as an aspiring civilian collector, condition trumps mere generic association with a nondescript unit. Yes, there are exceptions...
Now, to have an example in exquisite condition WITH a documented history, that's truly exceptional! (Thanks for posting the pics, Johnny Peppers.)

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

Your observations match mine. I have another Type I that is 180 pistols later, and it also has the upside down acceptance mark. This one is also a Type I, and the acceptance mark is right side up, but struck twice. It is not unusual to see a "bounce" from hand struck markings, but this one looks planned. The marks are evenly struck and perfectly lined up. Someone was probably playing that day.

[westgard]

I looked at Karl Karash's CD - his Type I's:
917171 - upside down
918335 - upside down
923928 - upside down
926422 - right side up
mine is a 918000 range, upside down
the two on the thread
923653 - upside down
917387 - upside down
seems pretty consistent that the earlier ones were all done the same way (small sample though!).