Just Arrived, Deactivated WWII & Korean War Colt 1911A1

This is a Second World War issued Colt 1911 A1 pistol. The serial number dates to 1943 and was allocated to Remington Rand who made this pistol. The pistol is correctly marked with the US property and WWII inspectors stamps (FJA -  Colonel Frank J Atwood). However, it also has two other sets of markings. Below the serial number it reads BA4?967, this is the mark used by the Benicia Arsenal, California who were contracted to refurbish or repair the 1911's. On the other side of the frame are the initials "AA" these are of the Augusta Arsenal who were also contract by the US Government to refurb and repair these pistols. The fact that this 1911 has been through two separate arsenals during its service life is a clear indication that it was in service during WWII and again after the war.

The Augusta Arsenal closed in 1955 which means that this pistol almost certainly returned from the Korean War (1950 - 1953) to have been put through for rework and stamped accordingly.

A fascinating fact regarding the Benicia Arsenal is the labour shortages during WWII. The lack of workers in 1944 forced the arsenal commander to put 250 Italian and 400 German prisoners of war to work, alongside 150 juveniles from the Californian Youth Authority. Very ironic!