Original "Colt 45"

Fade2Gray

Hey all,
My father-in-law has a Colt 1911 that he picked up thru the NRA sometime around 1960(ish) as part of a sale of firearms from the military (still had the arms room number marked on it). At the time, he gave $17. He was wondering what the value of it would be today. It is stamped "United States Government",s/n #354XXX and says manufactured by Colt.

Any ideas on this one? Thanks!

Laredo Lefty

If its in good shape, probably well over $1,500.00. If it has been refinished since factory, the value would depreciate.

Another factor for collectors is... are all the internal parts original Colt?

nmyers

$600-3,500. Without photos & a detailed description, that's the best I can do.

Neal

EDIT: The photos of Hulk's gun look pretty good to me. But, it appears that the top of the front sight has been filed flat --- that would definitely impact the value.

Fade2Gray

He said it had been re-blued, but all the parts are original Colt parts. It probably hasn't had 20 rounds put thru it since purchase.

We will try to get some pics up tomorrow to further define it.
Thanks!

hulkaru

What does it take to be in the $3500 range? I also got a Colt 1911 all numbers match. Just a bit of wear on the bottom of the grips. Otherwise I think it is beautiful. Serial number is 157845. Can I get a bit of info also. Tom

Edit: Alright PerryShooter I removed the firing pin retainer and found below the firing pin hole what looks like a R ,above the hole an upside V also I cant find any date on the holster. Tom

nmyers

Sorry Fade2Gray, but "reblue" dropped the value to the $400-600 range. It now has 0% of original finish.

To be worth $3,500, a 1911 would have to have 99% of the original blue remaining, have all original parts including the barrel, & the bore would have to be in minty condition.

Neal

perry shooter

hello Fade to gray Your pistol made 1918 as far as refinish the 1911 pistol was BLUE BLACK and the barrel plus all small parts would be of a 1918 design Most all of these pistols were Refinished "PARKERIZED"/repaired/ had worn grips / barrels and parts replaced at the start of WW II and later when sold through The DCM just like todays CMP carbine and Garand sales. The se pistols would also have 3 letter inspector marks. To find one in 95% original finish with ALL correct parts you are talking BIG bucks on the other hand an arsenal rebuilt will still bring a $1000.00 if it is 95% finish a worn finish but shooter serviceable. $400.00 up. Good pictures in focus and with all markings as well as markings on barrel and very rear of slide where firing pin is will go along way to let us give more then a WAG on value. [:0][:0]Tom/Hulkaru 157845 is 1917 but that does not look like the serial in your picture . The pistol in the picture APPEARS to have WW I model 1911 parts and does not appear to be refinished . Only a close inspection could tell if correct barrel and other small parts . It does show some normal Dings and wear It is NOT in my opinion a $3500 pistol but somewhere between the $1000.00 refinished and the $3500.00 range. It is something to be proud of and only detailed pictures of all parts and marking coul help to set a better range on Value.

EDIT hulkaru Your barrel is correct for that vintage frame. The inspector is Gilbert H Stewart The letters on frame around disconnect hole is H provisional ordance mark, P is the Assembler's mark, G is governmental contract frame Look on slide under the firing pin retainer it should have the letter H I don't like the S over stamp of the G on the slide Most times a S denote Civilian sales? would have to look at the rest of the slide. ??? Your Pistol look to be in better condition with new pictures then the first one it still IMHO is not a $3500.00 pistol but in the high $2XXX.00 range Watches look correct but Bands look to be repro/replacements Holster should have date and maker stamped. [:p] "PRAISE THE HARD-BALL GUN"

COLT

...If all original, except the finish (BIG "except" for collectors) as others have said, around $1,200, probably a good average of around $1,500. If the "numbers" your talking about are on the grips, they're referred to as rack numbers.

... If the gun was rebuled/parked a LONG time ago, that will help with the value some, but it will never be worth what it was before the reblue.

...To be in the $3,500 range, the gun needs to be original with 95% or better of the original finish, in other words, pretty much an un-issued gun...[;)]

Fade2Gray

Thanks for all the info! It has been helpful. Not sending pics cuz the questions have pretty much been answered... He was just wondering "what" he had.

Thanks!