Jackpot 1911 or NOT?

sigpointman · 09-18-2012, 06:18 PM

I just inherited a Colt 1911 and I'm trying to get an honest value on it, and maybe an education on Colt pistols, as I've been Sig Sauer fan for a long time!

I'ver been insulted one too many times by "the locals", so I'm turning to you guys, the experts, lol!

All that I know is that, according to the serial #, it was manufactured in 1912, and it's nickel plated (probably not original, but is nice), and it's in, what I consider 60% condition, or better!

As the story goes, my grandfather was in WW2, and after the war, he purchased "his" Colt 1911 for a mere $12, and for extra $8 bucks, had it transfered legally! True or not, can't really say, just going by what grandma told me. The pistol does have an "AA" stamped on the left side, just above the trigger guard, if this helps!

Double D · 09-18-2012, 06:40 PM

Not much original on the colt. The collector value was ruined with the refinish and it has all kinds of aftermarket parts on it. It might be a shooter...I would guess its value to be around 550.00-600.00 or so. Shoot it and enjoy!

Detroit-1 · 09-18-2012, 06:43 PM

I do believe the slide has a patent date of 8-13? If so it could not have been made in 1912.

Jim K · 09-18-2012, 08:17 PM

The "AA" indicates it was rebuilt at Augusta (GA) Arsenal during WWII. The story is highly unlikely; military personnel were not allowed to purchase their issue firearms. Still, it matters not at this point.

FWIW, I think the slide stop, safety, mainspring housing, and grip safety may be original, or at least they are of the 1911 type; I can't tell about the hammer. The grips are not original, of course.

In any case, its colllector value has been destroyed by the chrome plating.

Jim

zant · 09-18-2012, 08:18 PM

No where near an "expert",just a 1911 nut...I think the bad refinish job has destroyed collector value.A guy I buy parts from has a single digit Singer that someone nickeled and modified....he cried when he found out how much it was worth bone stock....He paid $900 in the 70s.

Bindernut · 09-18-2012, 09:08 PM

Pretty much all has been said about the refinish job. It ruined the collector value.
Being an arsenal refurb might explain the non-1911 hammer (it's a 1911A1 hammer with the narrow spur if I see the pics right), but I'd suspect it, the slide stop, safety and grips were probably replaced later to make it functional.

It's a shooter, so go ahead and take it to the range & enjoy it.

Your grandpa might have purchased it surplus after the war, but as Jim posted, it wasn't purchased from the government. Or if it was his issue 1911 maybe he just "dufflebagged" it and got the tale out that it was purchased.

Hard to tell, and it's too bad you can't go back in time and ask him.

Jim K · 09-19-2012, 02:34 PM

If your grandfather was an NRA member, he might have purchased that pistol from the Army through the DCM, but no one in the army at that time was authorized to sell government arms to the troops.

Jim

Double D · 09-19-2012, 03:10 PM

What do you think its worth Jim?

Jim K · 09-19-2012, 06:02 PM

Double D said $550-600, and that is probably about right. Left as it was before the "improvements" it would probably bring at least twice that.

Jim

dcriner · 09-19-2012, 06:49 PM

I seem to see a few screws with their heads boogered. Gives me pause for what can't be seen. With a brand-new Remingtion R11 for about $600, not sure why I would estimate the value at much more than $400, given no collector value.

wonderwhippet · 09-19-2012, 10:13 PM

Right on!

wonderwhippet · 09-19-2012, 10:14 PM

Right on! $400 is max for this mistreated pistol.

Double D · 09-20-2012, 07:33 AM

You would be surprised how many people will pay a little more because of the colt name....I agree it has been defaced...

Goody · 09-20-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

You would be surprised how many people will pay a little more because of the colt name....I agree it has been defaced...

You would also be surprised how many dealers would ask more because of the same thing.

sigpointman · 09-22-2012, 08:27 AM

Thanks for all the helpful info! I'm more of a Sig Sauer fan myself, whatever it sells for is 100% profit, so can't go wrong there. My son is in his second year in the Navy on the 6 year tour (hope he stays in), and wants a Sig 226 NAVY model, maybe I'll sell the Colt, and put it towards the Sig! Thanks Again.

sigpointman · 09-23-2012, 05:12 PM

Oh well, guess it does not matter now, sold it for $1,000 at this weekends local gunshow. I didn't even make it to the entrance door to the show.

Thanks for the help/info!

Double D · 09-23-2012, 05:18 PM

Told you some folks will pay for the colt name...but I have to say, you found someone who didnt know what he was buying......oh well, good for you!

JLA · 09-23-2012, 06:23 PM

I cant believe you sold your grandfathers 1911.. Guess im just a sentimental guy.

Double D · 09-23-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

I cant believe you sold your grandfathers 1911.. Guess im just a sentimental guy.

I would feel the same way josh, if the gun werent so pieced together...

sigpointman · 09-27-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

I cant believe you sold your grandfathers 1911.. Guess im just a sentimental guy.

It wasn't my grandfathers, but the guy who I got it from! And YES, I think he wanted it for bragging rights more than anything, Cash Is King

TheGunClinger · 09-27-2012, 07:19 PM

As the story goes, my grandfather was in WW2, and after the war, he purchased "his" Colt 1911 for a mere $12, and for extra $8 bucks, had it transfered legally! True or not, can't really say, just going by what grandma told me. The pistol does have an "AA" stamped on the left side, just above the trigger guard, if this helps

I coulda swore you said you inherited it from your grandfather.

09-18-2012, 06:18 PM	#1
sigpointman Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 5	Jackpot 1911 or NOT? I just inherited a Colt 1911 and I'm trying to get an honest value on it, and maybe an education on Colt pistols, as I've been Sig Sauer fan for a long time! I'ver been insulted one too many times by "the locals", so I'm turning to you guys, the experts, lol! All that I know is that, according to the serial #, it was manufactured in 1912, and it's nickel plated (probably not original, but is nice), and it's in, what I consider 60% condition, or better! As the story goes, my grandfather was in WW2, and after the war, he purchased "his" Colt 1911 for a mere $12, and for extra $8 bucks, had it transfered legally! True or not, can't really say, just going by what grandma told me. The pistol does have an "AA" stamped on the left side, just above the trigger guard, if this helps! Attached Images -->

09-18-2012, 06:40 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,054	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Not much original on the colt. The collector value was ruined with the refinish and it has all kinds of aftermarket parts on it. It might be a shooter...I would guess its value to be around 550.00-600.00 or so. Shoot it and enjoy! __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

09-18-2012, 06:43 PM	#3
Detroit-1 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 27	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? I do believe the slide has a patent date of 8-13? If so it could not have been made in 1912.

09-18-2012, 08:17 PM	#4
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? The "AA" indicates it was rebuilt at Augusta (GA) Arsenal during WWII. The story is highly unlikely; military personnel were not allowed to purchase their issue firearms. Still, it matters not at this point. FWIW, I think the slide stop, safety, mainspring housing, and grip safety may be original, or at least they are of the 1911 type; I can't tell about the hammer. The grips are not original, of course. In any case, its colllector value has been destroyed by the chrome plating. Jim Last edited by Jim K; 09-18-2012 at 08:19 PM..

09-18-2012, 08:18 PM	#5
zant V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: S.Al Posts: 248	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? No where near an "expert",just a 1911 nut...I think the bad refinish job has destroyed collector value.A guy I buy parts from has a single digit Singer that someone nickeled and modified....he cried when he found out how much it was worth bone stock....He paid $900 in the 70s.

09-18-2012, 09:08 PM	#6
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Pretty much all has been said about the refinish job. It ruined the collector value. Being an arsenal refurb might explain the non-1911 hammer (it's a 1911A1 hammer with the narrow spur if I see the pics right), but I'd suspect it, the slide stop, safety and grips were probably replaced later to make it functional. It's a shooter, so go ahead and take it to the range & enjoy it. Your grandpa might have purchased it surplus after the war, but as Jim posted, it wasn't purchased from the government. Or if it was his issue 1911 maybe he just "dufflebagged" it and got the tale out that it was purchased. Hard to tell, and it's too bad you can't go back in time and ask him.

09-19-2012, 02:34 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? If your grandfather was an NRA member, he might have purchased that pistol from the Army through the DCM, but no one in the army at that time was authorized to sell government arms to the troops. Jim

09-19-2012, 03:10 PM	#8
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,054	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? What do you think its worth Jim? __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

09-19-2012, 06:02 PM	#9
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Double D said $550-600, and that is probably about right. Left as it was before the "improvements" it would probably bring at least twice that. Jim

09-19-2012, 06:49 PM	#10
dcriner V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 238	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? I seem to see a few screws with their heads boogered. Gives me pause for what can't be seen. With a brand-new Remingtion R11 for about $600, not sure why I would estimate the value at much more than $400, given no collector value.

09-19-2012, 10:13 PM	#11
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,582	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Right on!

09-19-2012, 10:14 PM	#12
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,582	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Right on! $400 is max for this mistreated pistol.

09-20-2012, 07:33 AM	#13
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,054	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? You would be surprised how many people will pay a little more because of the colt name....I agree it has been defaced... __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

09-22-2012, 08:27 AM	#15
sigpointman Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 5	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Thanks for all the helpful info! I'm more of a Sig Sauer fan myself, whatever it sells for is 100% profit, so can't go wrong there. My son is in his second year in the Navy on the 6 year tour (hope he stays in), and wants a Sig 226 NAVY model, maybe I'll sell the Colt, and put it towards the Sig! Thanks Again. Last edited by sigpointman; 09-22-2012 at 08:33 AM..

09-23-2012, 05:12 PM	#16
sigpointman Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 5	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Oh well, guess it does not matter now, sold it for $1,000 at this weekends local gunshow. I didn't even make it to the entrance door to the show. Thanks for the help/info!

09-23-2012, 05:18 PM	#17
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,054	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? Told you some folks will pay for the colt name...but I have to say, you found someone who didnt know what he was buying......oh well, good for you! __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

09-23-2012, 06:23 PM	#18
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,296	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? I cant believe you sold your grandfathers 1911.. Guess im just a sentimental guy. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-27-2012, 07:19 PM	#21
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,378	Re: Jackpot 1911 or NOT? As the story goes, my grandfather was in WW2, and after the war, he purchased "his" Colt 1911 for a mere $12, and for extra $8 bucks, had it transfered legally! True or not, can't really say, just going by what grandma told me. The pistol does have an "AA" stamped on the left side, just above the trigger guard, if this helps I coulda swore you said you inherited it from your grandfather. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.