November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2021
This Remington Rand was used by Brigadier General Theodore Mataxis during his service in World War II and was instrumental to his Silver Star citation in 1945. During the spring of 1945, during the penetration of the Siegfried Line, 2 company commanders were killed in action attempting to take Hill 415, and a lieutenant had a nervous breakdown leading to his removal to the rear. The headquarters Company Commander was also killed, resulting in the (at the time) Major Mataxis taking command of one of the companies, and assigning his S3 to the other. Both companies moved to attack Hill 404 as part of the attack on the Siegfried Line, when Mataxis came under fire from an MG-42, forcing him to rush for cover and lose his M-1 carbine. He drew this Remington Rand and realized that the MG-42 gunner would shortly depress his angle of fire to hit soldiers in the prone position. He sprinted into a depression with bushes for cover to escape the oncoming machine gun fire, only to fall directly into the MG-42 position, which he captured. His Silver Star citation reads "...for gallantry in action on 10 January 1945, near Rothbach, France. When two companies had lost their commanding officers as a result of enemy action, Lieutenant Colonel (then major) Mataxis, then Battalion Executive Officer, went forward to coordinate these units in a night attack. He maneuvered one company into action, and aided the other by bringing effective fire upon enemy machine guns which had halted the rifle platoons. Moving forward, he reorganized the front line troops, in complete darkness and under heavy artillery fire. While thus engaged, he captured 2 prisoners, and killed 3 enemy soldiers at an automatic weapons position. His aggressive leadership at a critical juncture was an inspiration to the officers and men of the battalion, and a major factor in accomplishment of his unit's mission". The companies seized the hills and ultimately liberated Forbach, France. Mataxis continued to serve tours in Korea and Viet Nam, and worked for The Committee for Free Afghanistan, supporting the Afghans against the Soviets as an advisor. Features include Remington Rand slide with serrated slope front sight, square notch rear sight, left side of slide with "REMINGTON RAND INC. / SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A". Barrel and bushing have been replaced with later National Match variations that were well fit together; rails also show evidence of being fit to slide and lockup is very tight. Left side of frame with "FJA" and "P" proofs in appropriate locations. Short checkered stamped trigger. Right side with correct "UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 2026218" before slide pin, "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY" ahead of pin. "A" subinspector proof on right side trigger guard. Small parts comprise narrow checkered hammer, thick tab checkered safety, long 1911 grip safety, serrated arched mainspring housing with lanyard loop with 3 notches on right side (for the 3 enemy soldiers killed during the citation?), Keyes fibre grips. American Pin Co 2-tone magazine. Housed in case for the Colt Rheims commemorative with badges affixed to the lining including a Combat Infantryman Badge with 2 stars (for 3 tours), Master Parachutist Badge, 70th Infantry Insignia, General's Star, and German climbing badge dated 1958-1978. Case also contains 2 extra magazines, 1 with "R" on lip for Risdon manufacture, other unmarked with straight seam up back, and 13 rounds of period ammunition. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining the vast majority of the parkerized finish with some marks from handling and storage throughout. Silvering to high edges that do not detract. Minor takedown mark. Some very minor brown spotting to top of slide. Mechanically fine (grip safety disabled), bore with visible rifling and some light frosting. Case is very good as associated. Badges are very good and appear to be Viet Nam era. Accompanied by a notarized statement of provenance detailing the history of this pistol from Mataxis's son, Theodore Christopher Mataxis. This is a fantastic and well-documented pistol that would be the centerpiece of a military-oriented collection. EMW
Item Dimensions: 13" x 10" x 4"
Accessories
Case with badges, ammo
Manufacturer
Remington Rand