Stu, I can help.
Remington Rands were made from about 1943 to the end of the war. They only made 1911A1's.
Frames are very expensive, i have all the parts but a GI frame. Essentially you have to either buy a junker 1911A1 and strip it and use it, or may find a frame, or you buy an aftermarket such as from Essex and build a 1911.
Go to this and then go down to USGI, that has everything you want to learn. You can see a couple of posts by 66mustang, that is me.
http://forums.1911forum.com/
PS: I am no expert, but have a couple of 1911 / Colt books..
Ed