Remington Rand Barrel Markings and Manufacture Date?

[USGI]

I have a couple questions for you guys on a RR 1911A1 I've had for about 5 years. It has a SA rebuild mark on the RH side. From what little I've read here, the original barrel would likely have been a HS. I'd like to know the manufacturer of this one, marked only with what appears to be an S and P. Some references show my S/N 16043xx manufactured in 1943, but I believe 1944 is correct. I recently saw an RR sell on Gun Auction, S/N 15686xx and the seller's estimate for the manufacture date was mid 1944, so would mine be considered as late 1944? Asking here because you guys have been collecting these things for years. I appreciate any comments you may have. - Bob

[Brian Dick]

Hi Bob,

According to Charles Clawson's book, it's a Springfield Armory barrel produced prior to 1943 when they added the Heat Lot number above the "S" and "P" stamps. Guessing a replacement during rebuild at SA but some Colt and Springfield Armory barrels were used in early Remington Rand production so could be original. If it was in the bin, they used it. The "S" is a provisional civilian ordnance inspector's mark from W.E. Strong. The "P" is a firing proof. You're correct. The pistol was produced in mid-late 1944.

Brian

[USGI]

I've been wondering about those barrel markings for years - should have asked here a long time ago! Thank You!

Another question I have is whether Singer parts could still be showing up in mid-late 1944 RR production, or more likely that SA added this mainspring housing? - Bob



Edit: I thought my mainspring housing matched a picture I have of a Singer 1911A1 , but now see it's a closer match to a picture from a 1943 RR. The Singer showed 9 "diamonds" diagonally and the 1943 RR shows a pattern with 8.

[Brian Dick]

The pictures in Clawson's book seem to match up with an early Remington Rand mainspring housing.

I think the other two are early Colt and US&S but not sure. Email me direct to bdlltd@bellsouth.net and I'll scan the pages so you can be the judge.

[John Wyatt]

Your Remington Rand went through an arsenal overhaul at Springfield Armory. There is no way the current barrel is original to your pistol. Some Colt and SA barrels were used in very early production, but they would have been gone by the time your pistol was assembled. Checkered mainspring housings were used into the latter part of 1943, so that was added sometime later as well.

[Scott Gahimer]

I suspect the barrel has been changed, if in a 1944 RR. However, SA barrels with the Crossed Cannons on the right side lug are known to have been used in production for new pistols for at least a period of time in 1943. Most original guns I own and have examined with that barrel are Du-Lite blued and in the 96xxxx-98xxxx serial range. But far more pistols, even in that serial range will have HS barrels, if original.

[USGI]

Thank You, Scott. I didn't ask in my original post, but have been wondering if the tiny marking on the upper RH lug of my barrel (4th picture) is a poorly struck Crossed Cannon? The barrel is blue, not positive it's Du-Lite, but believe it is. I'm just glad to find out that all of the parts are either original or were installed at SA during the re-build. It has Keyes grips that are are chipped a bit, and the screws are a bit flattened. I don't think it's been fired since it left SA. Would SA have re-used the grip screws or installed new ones? - Bob

[Scott Gahimer]

Yes, it is a partially-struck Crossed Cannons marking.

Hard to say if new screws would be used on a rebuild. If not new, certainly serviceable.