What's a WWI 1911 Worth? - Page 3 - The Firearms Forum

Archie · 11-20-2012, 01:05 PM

The only way I'd go $1500 for that pistol is IF it was marked as an arsenal refinish, AND, it seemed to be 'new' from the arsenal. The picture is pretty unfocused; hard to see if there's finish wear around the edges and high spots. Wonder what the bore looks like, too.

Probably someone with a bit more expertise will sound off.

Blimp Edwards · 11-21-2012, 05:20 PM

About how much is it to have a gun refinished? I've been shopping around for a few weeks and it seems like I can get one pretty darn cheap but with a fairly bad finish.

Dan

Blimp Edwards · 11-27-2012, 01:22 PM

I just went down to check out the gun for sale at my local gun store. Seems like a legit 1911 to me with a 19XXXX serial (1918?) that was probably reissued by Rock Island Armory for WWII. I didn't field strip it but here's some photos of it and any markings I saw. If you don't see a picture of a marking, that's because there was none there (I searched long and hard). Forgot to photo the clip but it is not a two-tone one. If it had the original 1911 clip and wooden, diamond grips I'd be a lot more interested. What's your opinion on the gun and its worth?

Note the A A, barely visible.

Thanks,
Dan

Jim K · 11-27-2012, 05:18 PM

It was probably at one time rusted and with most of the finish gone, which is why it was sand blasted and Parkerized by RIA. The stocks are WWII Colt stocks, themselves desireable. The value would be as a shooter, not a collectible, as the originality is pretty well gone.

BTW, "FK" is Frank Krack, head of small arms inspection at Rock Island during and after WWII.

Jim

11-20-2012, 01:05 PM	#51
Archie V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hastings, Nebraska; the Heartland! Posts: 295	Re: What's a WWI 1911 Worth? The only way I'd go $1500 for that pistol is IF it was marked as an arsenal refinish, AND, it seemed to be 'new' from the arsenal. The picture is pretty unfocused; hard to see if there's finish wear around the edges and high spots. Wonder what the bore looks like, too. Probably someone with a bit more expertise will sound off. __________________ Be at Peace; go forth, spread enlightenment and joy to all. Wear clean underwear and take a gun. http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/ for my thoughts...

11-21-2012, 05:20 PM	#52
Blimp Edwards Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 37	Re: What's a WWI 1911 Worth? About how much is it to have a gun refinished? I've been shopping around for a few weeks and it seems like I can get one pretty darn cheap but with a fairly bad finish. Dan

11-27-2012, 01:22 PM	#53
Blimp Edwards Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 37	Re: What's a WWI 1911 Worth? I just went down to check out the gun for sale at my local gun store. Seems like a legit 1911 to me with a 19XXXX serial (1918?) that was probably reissued by Rock Island Armory for WWII. I didn't field strip it but here's some photos of it and any markings I saw. If you don't see a picture of a marking, that's because there was none there (I searched long and hard). Forgot to photo the clip but it is not a two-tone one. If it had the original 1911 clip and wooden, diamond grips I'd be a lot more interested. What's your opinion on the gun and its worth? Note the A A, barely visible. Thanks, Dan

11-27-2012, 05:18 PM	#54
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: What's a WWI 1911 Worth? It was probably at one time rusted and with most of the finish gone, which is why it was sand blasted and Parkerized by RIA. The stocks are WWII Colt stocks, themselves desireable. The value would be as a shooter, not a collectible, as the originality is pretty well gone. BTW, "FK" is Frank Krack, head of small arms inspection at Rock Island during and after WWII. Jim