Hello Gentlemen, I know this is an old thread, but I have recently read the whole thing and am still very interested in it. I keep coming across these nickel plated Remington rands. They look so similar in the plating job. I am still interested in finding out their history - even if they were not factory plated. My best friend (who works at the Cabela's gun counter) owns one that adds an interesting twist to their background. It is stamped with all the proper markings:
-REMINGTON RAND INC over SYRACUSE, N.Y. USA on the left side of the slide
-FJA inspectors initials on the left side of the frame just below the slide release
-P stamped next to the mag release
But is missing one crucial mark - the serial number. After doing a little research, I come to the conclusion that his gun might be what they refer to as a lunchbox gun - one that was sneaked out of the plant before being stamped with the army SN. I am not sure of the process, but I would assume that a gun would normally be fully stamped before being nickel plated. This would indicate to me that the weapon could not have been plated at the factory. And if that is true, if a man were to assume that all these guns were plated in the same place or at the same time - then this gun would have had to make it back in with a batch of 1911's to have this done later.
I have included some pics here so that you boys could make your own call. I can see no evidence that there is an Army SN under the nickel plating. I am assuming it would shine thru somewhere if it were there. I also see no evidence that the frame has been ground down - no low spots or ripples.
I am interested in any theories and am happy to discuss them without ripping out your throat for disagreeing!
-REMINGTON RAND INC over SYRACUSE, N.Y. USA on the left side of the slide
-FJA inspectors initials on the left side of the frame just below the slide release
-P stamped next to the mag release
But is missing one crucial mark - the serial number. After doing a little research, I come to the conclusion that his gun might be what they refer to as a lunchbox gun - one that was sneaked out of the plant before being stamped with the army SN. I am not sure of the process, but I would assume that a gun would normally be fully stamped before being nickel plated. This would indicate to me that the weapon could not have been plated at the factory. And if that is true, if a man were to assume that all these guns were plated in the same place or at the same time - then this gun would have had to make it back in with a batch of 1911's to have this done later.
I have included some pics here so that you boys could make your own call. I can see no evidence that there is an Army SN under the nickel plating. I am assuming it would shine thru somewhere if it were there. I also see no evidence that the frame has been ground down - no low spots or ripples.
I am interested in any theories and am happy to discuss them without ripping out your throat for disagreeing!