H&R Arms Co. 1911-A1

32 Magnum

During the course of research for the Bill G. H&R Book, I have recently received extremely reliable information (from a former high ranking exec.) that H&R Arms Co. produced 50 1911-A1s under contract for the US Gov't.
Time frame for production may have been during or just before WW2. This source has talked to another person who claims to have seen one in person while in military service.
If anyone has any info, has seen one, knows where one is or owns one of these pistols, I would like to hear from you to further the research.
Thanks!

nmyers

According to Charles Clawson (Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols Models of 1911 and 1911A1), HRA made a set of tooling for the 1911A1 under the 1942 Educational Orders contract, but the tooling was transferred to other manufacturers, primarily Ithaca. Assuming Mr Clawson is correct, that would have made it impossible for HRA to produce any pistols.

I've heard similar stories about soldiers issued M1 carbines made by Singer & Springfield Armory; the years sometimes play tricks with our memory.

Neal

32 Magnum

Neal,
Thanks for the information. Allow me to relate the "story" as I have received it:
Shortly before the demise of the original H&R Arms Co., old records were being searched. During the course of those record searchs, a copy of a Gov't purchase order for 50 test pieces was found. The President brought the P.O. to the Director of Research and asked if he knew anything about it. There is now, a search of old records being conducted by my H&R contact to attempt to find this/these document(s). I realize it is a long shot, but as a researcher I need to try to follow any lead until it proves fruitless.
Do you think it possible that H&R may have produced "test" pieces on the tooling they developed? I know that kind of question leads to a lot of speculation, and I apologize in advance for the ambiguity - but I need to follow this lead, at least for awhile. Bill G's H&R book nears completing, having this weekend finished the fact check and review, I'll be sending the publisher's copy back to him within the next week or so - and I owe it to Bill to attempt to make his book as correct and comprehensive as possible.
Thanks.

32 Magnum

The following info comes from the NRA Firearms Museum website:

In January 1940, Singer Manufacturing Company, an Elizabeth, New Jersey-based producer of sewing machines, and Harrington & Richardson Arms Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, received educational orders for the production of 500 M1911A1 pistols and related tools. Both Colt and Springfield Armory provided technical assistance to the two contractors. Singer-produced pistols were delivered to Springfield Armory by December 1941, and these were distributed to Air Force personnel. The company was given a contract for an additional 15,000 pistols, but Singer's production of artillery fire control directors was deemed a higher priority, and this contract was later canceled.



Due to their high quality and limited numbers, Singer M1911A1 pistols are highly prized by modern collectors. Harrington & Richardson was in the process of a bankruptcy reorganization and was able to produce fewer than 20 pistols, none of which were accepted by the Army before their contract was terminated in June 1942.



However, the firm was able to obtain or manufacture most of the items required for production of the M1911A1. This equipment, as well as that used by Singer and First World War-vintage tooling and machinery from Remington-U.M.C. was shipped to the Remington Rand factory in Syracuse, New York for subsequent redistribution to other contractors and sub-contractors for the .45 semi-auto pistol. When the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor brought the United States into the war, the need for arms of all types quickly became critical.