Old Colt 1911

[AU Eagle]

Might have the chance to do some dealing for this Colt 1911.

Appears to be 1917-1918 manufacture, does not have the original box.

Any idea what a ballpark value on this would be or what I need to look for when inspecting it?

[DAB]

Check Gunbroker.com

I’d guess 2k+

[AU Eagle]

Originally Posted by DAB

Check Gunbroker.com

I’d guess 2k+

Yeah I fiddled around there a little bit, I was thinking $2k was a fair number but this is unchartered territory for me.

[Sea Six]

Has it been reblued or restored at all?

[AU Eagle]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

Has it been reblued or restored at all?

Not to my knowledge but the front sight has been replaced...trying to figure that one out.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Good gobe to look for matching/correct parts:
http://www.zillamotorsports.com/Hist...tModel1911.pdf

then you can determine value

Per colts website :1918 MODEL 1911 MILITARY

[DAB]

I have a 1914 mfr. AA refinish. All original. Similar sold on GB for 2600+

New sight reduces originality a bit.

1500?

[DAB]

Rear sight is also new.

[mrvette]

Bluing looks to be in WAY too good a condition/color in the pix.....I don't think it would survive all that well for ~100 years old, no matter who/what, not happening, and the bluing on my Colt was not that good near 50 years ago....and my gun had no rust either....

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by mrvette

Bluing looks to be in WAY too good a condition/color in the pix.....I don't think it would survive all that well for ~100 years old, no matter who/what, not happening, and the bluing on my Colt was not that good near 50 years ago....and my gun had no rust either....

I know nothing about the value of it, but it looks too nice to be that old.
If it is of the age that you say however, I'd snap it up for $1500 + if I could.
Looks pretty..

[AU Eagle]

Yeah seems to be a lot of little things that aren’t quite adding up to make me think it’s worth what I originally thought.

[DAB]

you can determine age by SN, they made them in order.

but that vintage wasn't blued when issued. they were parkerized. bluing cost too much and was too shiny.

all the internal parts are/were easily swapped out as needed overtime. so that won't determine condition. i just replaced the recoil and firing pin spring on mine last year. much more better. those are wear items. $15. done.

looks like someone freshened it up a bit in the last few years. looks like tritium sights.

they are nice guns, but for that coin, you could get a brand new Colt Gold Cup Trophy (SS) that is all tricked out and runs like a champ on day one (yes, have one of those too, actually 2)

given what you've shown, age, condition, and obvious things that have been replaced, now that i've had time to think it over..... $1100 max, and only if you want it. there will be more original ones coming on the market next year from CMP, out of .gov inventory, those will be more original than that one. pricing TBD.

if you want some sample pics of mine, say so.

[DAB]

1911, 5 digit SN

[AU Eagle]

Yeah I have a Dan Wesson Valor 1911 and I love that thing. Thanks for the input.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by DAB

you can determine age by SN, they made them in order.

but that vintage wasn't blued when issued. they were parkerized. bluing cost too much and was too shiny.

all the internal parts are/were easily swapped out as needed overtime. so that won't determine condition. i just replaced the recoil and firing pin spring on mine last year. much more better. those are wear items. $15. done.

looks like someone freshened it up a bit in the last few years. looks like tritium sights.

they are nice guns, but for that coin, you could get a brand new Colt Gold Cup Trophy (SS) that is all tricked out and runs like a champ on day one (yes, have one of those too, actually 2)

given what you've shown, age, condition, and obvious things that have been replaced, now that i've had time to think it over..... $1100 max, and only if you want it. there will be more original ones coming on the market next year from CMP, out of .gov inventory, those will be more original than that one. pricing TBD.

if you want some sample pics of mine, say so.

Better mammary then mine.....

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by DAB

you can determine age by SN, they made them in order.

but that vintage wasn't blued when issued. they were parkerized. bluing cost too much and was too shiny.

You 100% sure of that? Looks like a 1918 mfg. When did they start parkerizing vs bluing? As far as I know, all m1911s were blued. The 1911A1 were almost all parkerized.

[DAB]

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO

You 100% sure of that? Looks like a 1918 mfg. When did they start parkerizing vs bluing? As far as I know, all m1911s were blued. The 1911A1 were almost all parkerized.

no.

but mine was refinished at some point, as you can see and as attested to by the AA stamp on the frame. so maybe this one escaped that process somehow. but as i previously noted, there are several things that are not original on that pistol. if you just want an old one to shoot, go for it. if you are looking for something that is historically accurate, this one has some issues. and if you want a nice one to go shooting with, that is all sorted out on day one, just buy a new one from your favorite mfr. the new ones are way better out of the box. better sights (adjustable in some cases), crisp triggers, good slide to frame fit, accurate barrels, all new springs, nice checkering on the frames. why buy a problem child?

rather like buying a sports car. you can buy an old C3 and spend your spare time fixing it up all the time, or you can buy a newer C6 and just go drive it. same idea.

i'd rather shoot than tinker.

[AU Eagle]

So I ended up getting it, I’ll get some pics up soon

[69camfrk]

Nice pistol, but like others have said, it has been refinished. That knocks the value, but it wouldn't keep me from shooting the crap out of it!

[AU Eagle]

Colt by chuck007 | Photobucket