This is a unique pre-production WWI era "Remington-UMC" Model 1911 contract pistol. This exact pistol is discussed on page 212 in the book: "US Military Automatic Pistols" by Scott Meadows. In the book the factory estimates that approximately 22 were actually shipped to the Army in this manner, fully manufactured and blued without any U.S. Army inspection proofs or acceptance marks nor a factory serial number. The left side of the slide has the full factory two block, three line markings with the circled "REMINGTON/UMC" logo in the middle. The two-line "MODEL OF 1911/U.S. ARMY CALIBER 45" is on the right side. It does have the full "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" markings on the left side of the frame. It is fitted with all the correct factory parts to include an unmarked/unproofed blued barrel, an original, half-tone blued magazine and checkered walnut grips. These Remington-UMC pistol were produced in their own serial number block of 1 to 21,676 for the U.S. Military and were manufactured at the Bridgeport, Connecticut factory using their own drawings that did not conform to either Colts or the U.S. Government. Consequently, most of these pistols were disposed of after WWI due to the non-conforming parts. Certainly this is a rare and very unusual, probably a one-of-a-kind, early Remington-UMC preproduction/prototype Model 1911 pistol. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Excellent with 85% plus of the original blue finish remaining overall with the finish having flaked/worn off the front grip strap, mainspring housing and upper edge of the grip safety. The grips are very fine overall with nice distinct checkering on both sides and only a couple of minor chips on the tops of the checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very rare and documented Remington-UMC preproduction Model 1911 pistol.