ForgottenWeapons
patreon
M1911A1: America's Definitive World War Two Pistol (Ad-Free)
🕑 Added 2024-06-12 12:00:06 +0000 UTCGet Entered to WIN this legendary WW2 Remington Rand M1911A1!
https://go.getenteredtowin.com/forgottenweapons
DEADLINE to ENTER is 06/28/24 @ 11:59pm (PST).
The United States adopted the M1911 pistol just in time for the First World War, and between Colt and Springfield Arsenal some 643,000 of these pistols were made by the end of 1918. During that production and the gun's field service in France, a number of potential improvements were recognized. They were put together in a batch of 10,000 new pistols ordered from Colt in 1924, but not officially designated until years later. A second batch of 10,000 was ordered from Colt in 1938. These were the first guns officially designated M1911A1. The changes were all about improving user handling, with a reshaped mainspring housing, larger sights, longer grip tang, and shorter reach to the trigger.
In 1939 the government put out a tender for M1911A1 education contracts. These contracts were for production of just 500 pistols, and they were intended to pay a company to build the a complete set of production line tooling and then store it in case of future need (similar contracts were also issued for rifles and machine guns). Two companies were granted such contracts - Harrington & Richardson and the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Singer produced a quite satisfactory batch of pistols, but ended up making higher-priority material like artillery sights. H&R was unable to complete its contract, which was cancelled in the spring of 1942.
When the US entered the war, pistols were needed in large number, and three companies were given contracts to produce the M1911A1: Remington-Rand, Ithaca, and Union Switch & Signal. These three new contractors, along with existing production lines at Colt and Springfield, produced 1.9 million new pistols during World War Two, enough to fully supply all branches of the US military until 1985 when the 1911 was replaced by the Beretta 92.
The example we are looking at today is a Remington-Rand, manufactured in April 1945. Remington-Rand received its first contract in May 1942, and delivered its final pistols in July 1945. In total, it made 877,751, in the following serial number blocks:
916405 - 1041404
1279699 - 1441430
1471431 - 1609528
1743847 - 1816641
1890504 - 2075103
2164404 - 2244803
2380014 - 2619013 (the last one made was 2465139)
Comments
Matthew Stanchfield
In my time I had two 1911A1's- both Remington Rands, and neither ever gave me a single problem- can't say the same for the Berettas.
Patrick Moran
In ‘61 or ‘62 I purchased an ‘03A3 through the dcm . . . happily I’m still on the green side of the ledger.
Mark H. Smith
Fascinating as always. That twenty minutes flew by. I could listen to you expound upon fine firearms design and contract details for hours. Peaceful Skies.
D Haire
Thank you Ian for an excellent video on these old workhorses…. I have been fortunate to have acquired several to include two from the CMP. All but one are mix masters…. They still work as advertised!
BEAUSABRE23
My aunt worked at the Risdon in Naugatuck, CT. "Risdon wasn’t only in the lipstick business. It initially made eyelet machine tools before transitioning in the 1930s to cigarette lighters and, eventually, lipstick cases. Like other manufacturers, during wartime Risdon’s output shifted to bullets and defense products. In World War I, the company made cartridge clips for automatic pistols. It made other armament parts during World War II, but lipstick remained a priority. “They considered lipstick to be an important product for national morale,” said McArdle, explaining: “So many women were working in factories and they wanted them to feel their best.”
Paul Rulifson
Nice shirt. :-)
Mrgunsngear
Very cool piece of history right there
BEAUSABRE23
One reason the M1911A1 was replaced was that the last spare parts were purchased in 1945 and more and more were becoming uneconomical to refurbish/rebuild due to wear.
BEAUSABRE23
"In total, it made 877,751" Of which, 855750 returned home in GI duffel bags
Cleo45
Lots of great info as usual and fair bit I did not know about the WWII manufacturing process. I have a Remington Rand in that 3rd production block that is also all original parts. It was my dad's, now mine, and was the first 45 ACP pistol I ever fired. It will always be a family-owned pistol! Thanks for the great update on an Unforgettable Weapon!
Donald Gray II
So are there any H&R pistols floating around?
Guido Schriewer
well a DA p38 offspring did replaced it then.
Guido Schriewer
forgotten?! I'm on the market for one. hate to say so but in 9. that platform won't get forgotten for a looong time to come, I'm sure.
Sonny Hughes
I had the pleasure to handle a 1903A3 Springfield that came from the DMC, probably back in the 1950s. The owner or the owner's family had also kept the paperwork. The total price, including P&H, what also right about $17; USPS direct to the doorstep.
David C
This isn't a sten :(
