My grandfathers old Colt 45 - The Firearms Forum

joes · 02-01-2007, 01:11 PM

This old Colt 45 government issue was given to me by my grandfather. I take it out occassionally and squeeze-off a few rounds. It still fires great.

Since I'm 70 years old and have no one to leave this pistol to, I have decided to offer it for sale to a collector who will appreciate it.
I don't know what a fair price would be. Can anyone give me a ballpart figure as to how much I should ask for it?

Thanks,

Joe S

Goody · 02-01-2007, 02:17 PM

The "Standard Catalog" shows this to be a Commercial series, about 1914. With the amount of finish that is gone and the light pitting I would rate it no better than Fair, perhaps even Poor. Assuming all numbers match and all parts are original to the gun, the book shows $550 to $750.

smithd50 · 02-01-2007, 03:29 PM

Sorry I can't afford it...regardless of price (I'm very broke). Nice to see you appreciate it.

pickenup · 02-01-2007, 05:15 PM

It does look to be a “commercial” model, denoted by the “c” preceding the serial number. Colt made approximately 138,532 of these between 1912 and 1925. Most of these are not real collectable if the condition is under 60%, but are desirable as shooters. My book shows a 60% gun might go for around $600. At 70% = $700, 80% = $900. With all the bluing gone, and the pits it has, I’d rate this at about 25 -30%, it’s a good shooter.

Xracer · 02-02-2007, 07:41 AM

Hi joes........welcome to TFF.

Too bad it's not in better condition.....it would be worth quite a bit of $$$.

Also looks like the slide stop and thumb safety are replacement parts.

Anyway, you've got a nice old "shooter" there....

ksswamprat · 02-02-2007, 09:30 AM

Joes,
As you have no one to leave this 1911A1. May I state I'm available for adoption.

Swamprat

22WRF · 02-02-2007, 12:03 PM

A Blue Wonder blueing kit and a little work and that would look be looking good

berto64 · 02-02-2007, 02:39 PM

Joes,

Check your private messages.

The Rifleman · 02-02-2007, 02:43 PM

In all actuality, you are better off to give it to a good person that has been kind to you and might think of you every now and again in your old age.

These young kids now a days are just out for themselves. Most of them would hock it for $50 and a bag of crack and wouldn't ever miss it.

As you get older and your health dereriorates - you might need a good friend to look after you and your affairs. I don't know your financial situation and maybe you are looking to get something out of it. It wasn't much of a gun when it was new, because if someone thought enough to put a dab of oil on it twice a year it would be worth something today.

A gunsmith would probably charge $300 - $500 to restore it back to new again and it might only be worth $500 to begin with.

A gun shop is only interested in resale and would only offer you about $175 for it and try to resell it for about $350

If you could get $250 from anyone that could afford to take care of it and wouldn't just be looking to make a quick buck - you would be lucky.

I would give you the $250, just to see it go to a good home. But you would be insulted. One other question is =- with a gun that old.. Did you ever bother to register it? There is a lot of antique guns out there that never were registered.

A mikitary sidearm would have had to have had been sold through some dealer or gun club. Where as a civilian production model could have been sold over the counter.. I believe that the C stands for Civilian and is not a military weapon. Which is good, because if it was a military weapon and it was stolen from some military base 80 years ago and given to your family member -- then it would still be a stolen weapon..Reguardless of age....
Not something that I would want in my gun case or on my person if arrested.

johnston3407 · 02-02-2007, 09:07 PM

Nice photos. The Rifleman is right, do not give it to a "kid", they won't appreciate it and will "lose" it. Leave it as is and give it to an "adult" you love.

02-01-2007, 01:11 PM	#1
joes Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	My grandfathers old Colt 45 This old Colt 45 government issue was given to me by my grandfather. I take it out occassionally and squeeze-off a few rounds. It still fires great. Since I'm 70 years old and have no one to leave this pistol to, I have decided to offer it for sale to a collector who will appreciate it. I don't know what a fair price would be. Can anyone give me a ballpart figure as to how much I should ask for it? Thanks, Joe S -->

02-01-2007, 02:17 PM	#2
Goody V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 333	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 The "Standard Catalog" shows this to be a Commercial series, about 1914. With the amount of finish that is gone and the light pitting I would rate it no better than Fair, perhaps even Poor. Assuming all numbers match and all parts are original to the gun, the book shows $550 to $750.

02-01-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
smithd50 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 7	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 Sorry I can't afford it...regardless of price (I'm very broke). Nice to see you appreciate it.

02-01-2007, 05:15 PM	#4
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,838	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 It does look to be a “commercial” model, denoted by the “c” preceding the serial number. Colt made approximately 138,532 of these between 1912 and 1925. Most of these are not real collectable if the condition is under 60%, but are desirable as shooters. My book shows a 60% gun might go for around $600. At 70% = $700, 80% = $900. With all the bluing gone, and the pits it has, I’d rate this at about 25 -30%, it’s a good shooter. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

02-02-2007, 07:41 AM	#5
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 Hi joes........welcome to TFF. Too bad it's not in better condition.....it would be worth quite a bit of $$$. Also looks like the slide stop and thumb safety are replacement parts. Anyway, you've got a nice old "shooter" there....

02-02-2007, 09:30 AM	#6
ksswamprat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 91	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 Joes, As you have no one to leave this 1911A1. May I state I'm available for adoption. Swamprat

02-02-2007, 12:03 PM	#7
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,253	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 A Blue Wonder blueing kit and a little work and that would look be looking good __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

02-02-2007, 02:39 PM	#8
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,388	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 Joes, Check your private messages. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.

02-02-2007, 02:43 PM	#9
The Rifleman Former Guest Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 135	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 In all actuality, you are better off to give it to a good person that has been kind to you and might think of you every now and again in your old age. These young kids now a days are just out for themselves. Most of them would hock it for $50 and a bag of crack and wouldn't ever miss it. As you get older and your health dereriorates - you might need a good friend to look after you and your affairs. I don't know your financial situation and maybe you are looking to get something out of it. It wasn't much of a gun when it was new, because if someone thought enough to put a dab of oil on it twice a year it would be worth something today. A gunsmith would probably charge $300 - $500 to restore it back to new again and it might only be worth $500 to begin with. A gun shop is only interested in resale and would only offer you about $175 for it and try to resell it for about $350 If you could get $250 from anyone that could afford to take care of it and wouldn't just be looking to make a quick buck - you would be lucky. I would give you the $250, just to see it go to a good home. But you would be insulted. One other question is =- with a gun that old.. Did you ever bother to register it? There is a lot of antique guns out there that never were registered. A mikitary sidearm would have had to have had been sold through some dealer or gun club. Where as a civilian production model could have been sold over the counter.. I believe that the C stands for Civilian and is not a military weapon. Which is good, because if it was a military weapon and it was stolen from some military base 80 years ago and given to your family member -- then it would still be a stolen weapon..Reguardless of age.... Not something that I would want in my gun case or on my person if arrested.

02-02-2007, 09:07 PM	#10
johnston3407 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Coast of Mississippi Posts: 592	Re: My grandfathers old Colt 45 Nice photos. The Rifleman is right, do not give it to a "kid", they won't appreciate it and will "lose" it. Leave it as is and give it to an "adult" you love.