Documented USS Fechteler WWII US Remington Rand M1911A1
Our Assessment: This example was made by Remington Rand in 1943, fairly early in their production. It has an interesting mix of features including the early Du-Lite finish, first-style serial marking and second-style slide marking. The barrel's markings indicate that it was made by Springfield Armory as part of a program of stocking replacement barrels, but these stocks were also sent to the contract manufacturers as production increased for new-made pistols. The pistol also has a nice set of early Keyes Fibre grips. By itself it is a wonderful example of an early Remington Rand 1911-A1. It is also a particularly well documented example.While originally shipped to Springfield Armory in 1943, sometime prior to January 21, 1944, this pistol was issued to the USS Fechteler, a Buckley-class destroyer escort which had been launched in April, 1943. The ship's early service consisted of convoy duty from New York to the Netherlands West Indies and on to North Africa. It is possible that this pistol was "lost" during one of these convoys, but it seems more likely that it made its way back to America and left the ship while in port at New York City for an overhaul. The Fechteler would go on to participate in experimental anti-submarine exercises and further convoy duties before leaving for Bizerte. On return from Bizerte, escorting another convoy, the Fechteler was sunk by a German U-boat in the Western Mediterranean on May 5, 1944. This pistol is accompanied by documentation from the Springfield Research Services, Charles W. Pate, as well as declassified copies of the reports of the sinking of the USS Fechteler. This additional documentation will only enhance the collector value of this high condition Remington Rand 1911A1. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Remington Rand
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 974443
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Action Type: Semi-Auto Pistol
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown Keyes Fibre panels, the early style without reinforcement rings around the screws but with reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Du-Lite
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. Most of the balance is in spots of minor surface oxidation, most in the front strap and left of the slide. There are a few minor nicks and scratches with an "idiot mark" under the slide stop on the left of the frame. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A Springfield Research Service letter is included which confirms that this pistol was reported January 26, 1944 as being issued to the USS Fechteler. A letter from Charles W. Pate is included with the results of his research at the National Archives. Pate's letter states that this pistol was issued to the USS Fechteler sometime prior to January 21, 1944 when it was found that the pistol was missing. The following 25th of February, the Bureau of Ordnance reported the loss to the FBI who added the pistol's information to their National Stolen Property File. Copies of the relevant documents from the National Archives are included. Also included is general information about the USS Fechteler as well as declassified copies of reports from ships in the convoy when Fechteler was sunk as well as some information about and a photo of the H.M.S. Hengist, a British tug which rescued crew members of the Fechteler after the sinking. A modern USS Fechteler cap is included. This pistol comes with one blued 7-round magazine marked "R" on the top of the floorplate. The magazine has minor operational wear, infrequent faint surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
CA LEGAL: C&R: YES, PPT: NO
HANDGUNS/PISTOLS