How do you find out if a reminton rand m1911a1 saw overseas action?

Answer 1

Don't want to discourage you, as nothing's impossible, but its 99% chance you won't. The US Gov't 45s were built up thru WWII. They weren't built after that war; they were improved & repaired (maintained) and went on to fight in Korea and Vietnam, and were very very worn out after that war. The sidearms were issued to units which turned them in then they were re-issued week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. Which includes war after war. All US branches used that sidearm (including the US Coast Guard); they were stamped "US Property" so a forty five could end up with the US Marines in one war and end up with the US Army in another. EVERY SINGLE US Army unit had a supply room and those sidearms had to be signed for by that unit.

The only chance of finding its history would be to "know" which unit that particular forty-five was issued to and IF & WHEN that unit served over-seas. By far most of the 45s were issued to mounted units (Tank & Armored Cavalry outfits), as all tank crewmen were authorized 45s. With the exception of officers, most grunt units didn't issue them out (no one wanted them, civilians might think 45s are cool but when you're fighting for your life in combat you want a more powerful weapon like a rifle). US Airmen preferred .38 revolvers while flying their missions; they were far lighter to pack. So concentrate on the following armored outfits:

1/1 Armored Cavalry, 2/1 Armored Cav, 1/4 Armored Cav, 3/4 Arm Cav, 2/5 Arm Cav, 1/10 Arm Cav, 11th ACR (a full regiment), Troop A 4/12 Arm Cav, Troop B 1/17 Arm Cav, 2/17 Arm Cav, 1/69th Armor, 1/77th Armor, 2/34th Armor, and three US Marine Corps Tank Battalions 1st & 3rd Tk Bn and possibly the 4th or 5th Marine Tank Battalion which was held in reserve. All of these mounted units fought in Vietnam. Marines called their tank units "Tank Battalions" and the Army called their tank units "Armor Battalions." ALL OF THESE MEN WERE ARMED WITH 45s in Vietnam. If you can find out if your Remington 1911 ever served with one of those units then just find out when that particular unit was over seas...then you'll have your answer. Clue: All of them were in Nam between '65 and '72.