Colt 1911 Pacific Theater Commemorative

Isher2000

I have a mint Colt 1911 MKIV/Series 70 Commemorative Pacific Theater of Operations model in .45 ACP. The gun is from an estate but I have spoken to the collector's widow and know that he purchased it new in the early 70s.

This is one of those times when Fjestad seems to have blown a gasket. A standard nickel plated MKIV/Series 70 .45 in 100% condition is shown as going for $1,250. The PTO commemorative is listed at $795. Recently PTO models sold on Gunbroker seem to have been going for closer to $1,000.

The wild card on this gun is that the pistol is in an honest 100% condition (appears unfired) with the correct Colt factory magazine but has no display case, no box and no papers. Fjestad says that commemoratives without the whole kit loose up to 50% of value off the top.

Any opinions on a reasonable value for this pistol?

duckhunter

$750.00-$850.00 New BLUE BOOK is out this weekend in Tulsa.

perry shooter

IMHO a Commemorative is one of the worst investment you can make [V] I bought one colt single action in 1964 [xx(]after 40 + years it is worth less then I paid. If I had bought a 3 Plain single actions in paper boxes for the same total dollars each one would be worth 3 times of what I paid for them . If you like the looks of this 1911 buy it but it is worth $500.00 to $600.00 with out box and papers at best.Your mileage may vary. I keep my one COMMEMORATIVE to remind me it was the worst money I ever spent on a fire-arm

Robin

+1 on Perry shooter's comment, I look at a commemorative issue almost in the same way as something that has been reblued. If you are looking to buy for $850, I would pass unless it will make a good shooter.

Isher2000

I hear you. I expected that lack of box, etc. would knock off some value but I am surpised that even with the box the commemorative would be worth far less than a stock nickel MKIV/Series 70 in the same condition. So much for enhancing value with engraving, etc. :-)

quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
IMHO a Commemorative is one of the worst investment you can make [V] I bought one colt single action in 1964 [xx(]after 40 + years it is worth less then I paid. If I had bought a 3 Plain single actions in paper boxes for the same total dollars each one would be worth 3 times of what I paid for them . If you like the looks of this 1911 buy it but it is worth $500.00 to $600.00 with out box and papers at best.Your mileage may vary. I keep my one COMMEMORATIVE to remind me it was the worst money I ever spent on a fire-arm