colt 1911 - The Firearms Forum

bamajvc · 05-13-2012, 05:36 PM

I know this pic is terrible but its the best one on the auction site. This auction is about 75 miles from me so can anyone make out what type of colt this is and what is is worth? The have the serial listed as 146785

Hammerslagger · 05-13-2012, 05:51 PM

It is a model 1911 military model made in mid 1917 by Colt.

It appears to have been re-blued, rather crudely with a lot of metal removed by buffing, likely to remove rust.

The grips are late commercial aftermarket. I have no way of knowing if the magazine is original, but likely not. The same is true of the barrel , hammer, and other parts.

Basically, I am looking at a well worn shooter and not a WW I vintage pistol of interest to a collector. In today's market, personally, I would give $200, probably $350, but would start losing interest quickly afterwards.

Hope that this helps.

Lanrezac · 05-13-2012, 05:55 PM

The picture is not really good enough to say. It is a 1911 style pistol, instead of the later 1911A1, so it is quite old - I would think that serial number makes it pre-1917.

The picture makes it look heavily buffed and reblued, but that is just my opinion. If that is so, it has little or no collector's value - just value as a shooter. I know people ask a lot for Colt 45 automatics in any condition, but I don't know what they actually get.

BTW, there is a subforum here specifically for the Colt 1911 - you might want to ask there, and put in a link to this thread.

bamajvc · 05-13-2012, 05:57 PM

thanks guys

Jim K · 05-13-2012, 07:56 PM

I would lose interest a lot sooner; in fact I would not be interested at all. With a gun that has been abused as badly as that one, I would not even count on finding any good parts.

Jim

Hammerslagger · 05-13-2012, 08:34 PM

Relative to posts #3 & #5:

Military 1911 serial numbers 137401 to 151186, assigned to Colt for 1917 per Fjestdad's "B.B. of Gun Values", serialization section, which has become the defacto "Bible" for gun buyers/collectors/ sellers. The same serialization info is found in R L Wilson's book(s). Also, on the Internet: https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/P.../Serialize.pdf

I agree with Jim K that this gun appears to be in rough shape, and would be of no interest to me as a keeper. Still, with CDNN quickly selling out of modern (and likely investment cast and MIM) Turkish 1911-A1 copies at $350.00 plus shipping of about $30.00; this old gun made of forged and selectively hardened steel will likely fetch over $350.00 at auction.

Lanrezac · 05-14-2012, 12:35 AM

I misread the number, and thought it was in the 14,000 block, not 146,000. Dang!

texasleaguer · 05-14-2012, 12:50 AM

[QUOTE=Lanrezac;923728]The picture is not really good enough to say. It is a 1911 style pistol, instead of the later 1911A1, so it is quite old - I would think that serial number makes it pre-1917.

The picture makes it look heavily buffed and reblued, but that is just my opinion. If that is so, it has little or no collector's value - just value as a shooter. I know people ask a lot for Colt 45 automatics in any condition, but I don't know what they actually get.QUOTE]

It's a 1911 Colt. It isn't being made anymore. While reblueing hurts the collector value, it will still bring at least 500 to 700 bucks.
Real ones are starting at 1300 and going up from there, so if you want one to shoot this would be the hot setup.
Even a "parts" gun (mixed frame, slide and barrel) will pull 500 out of wallets.
It all boils down to the fact it's a Colt. if you don't own one, you'll never understand.

REPEATER · 05-14-2012, 03:15 AM

I own one, a real one, and I wouldnt give much more than a 100 for this one. Id rather spend the money on a aftermarket one that hasn't got inflation all over it

Hawg · 05-14-2012, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REPEATER

I own one, a real one, and I wouldnt give much more than a 100 for this one. Id rather spend the money on a aftermarket one that hasn't got inflation all over it

The slide would go for more than that.

REPEATER · 05-14-2012, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

The slide would go for more than that.

that thing looks like it was dipped in tar. and it needed refinished to this extent why? just saying, the gun is probably as worn as the old finish was. a shooter it may be, but for how much longer. parts? I wouldn't want any of that gun to get on mine. that thing has cooties. and i mean no offence by that. its a shame to see it in such shape.

graehaven · 05-14-2012, 06:14 AM

Here, I adjusted the pic a bit for clarity.

REPEATER · 05-14-2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graehaven

Here, I adjusted the pic a bit for clarity.

compared to....... I just dont see putting them parts on this gun. And I think mines in sore shape

texasleaguer · 05-14-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REPEATER

compared to....... I just dont see putting them parts on this gun. And I think mines in sore shape

why the wrong main spring housing?

texasleaguer · 05-14-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REPEATER

I own one, a real one, and I wouldnt give much more than a 100 for this one. Id rather spend the money on a aftermarket one that hasn't got inflation all over it

Theres no such thing as inflation on a Colt. You never pay to much...you just bought too early.

And as far as buying a clone goes, why buy the rest when the best is available.

And I agree with you. I would like to give a 100 for it too. I'd be getting a heck of a good deal.

Jim K · 05-14-2012, 10:37 AM

OK, you folks have set some fancy prices for that gun (Post 1). Here is my problem. That gun has been heavily buffed and reblued and has new grips. Why?

When I see a gun like that, my first reaction is that it is not a collectible. So what? It might be a good shooter. BUT why was it buffed or wirewheeled so heavily? Just rust? I think the answer is fire, which is why the grips did not survive. If that gun was in a fire, even a soft slide will not be improved any. Further, all the springs and internal heat treated parts would be ruined. They might have been replaced, but I don't know that.

So I would not take the view that "it is a COLT" and therefore worth a lot of money, or that "the slide is worth lots of money". Really? For a ground down slide with the markings almost obliterated?

Maybe I err on the side of caution. Maybe that gun was owned by John Browning and is worth a million dollars. Maybe many things, but to me it is an ordinary M1911 in poor condition with lots of unknowns.

Jim

REPEATER · 05-14-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasleaguer

why the wrong main spring housing?

whats wrong with it? its not the original barrel either, but I have it. just in 2 pieces

couldnt of said it better Jim K. theres a reason for every thing

bamajvc · 05-14-2012, 05:54 PM

http://www.soldalabama.com/index.php...27207&cid=9883

here is the auction. You have to pick up and pay in person and I be an alabama resident. I am interested in a couple others, the armalite if it stays under 700 and maybe another hunting rifle.

Hammerslagger · 05-14-2012, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the link. Too bad that I am not an AL resident. Long time to auction end, but item 1014 is likely a steal at under $120.00.

05-13-2012, 05:36 PM	#1
bamajvc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 71	colt 1911 I know this pic is terrible but its the best one on the auction site. This auction is about 75 miles from me so can anyone make out what type of colt this is and what is is worth? The have the serial listed as 146785 Attached Images -->

05-13-2012, 05:51 PM	#2
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: colt 1911 It is a model 1911 military model made in mid 1917 by Colt. It appears to have been re-blued, rather crudely with a lot of metal removed by buffing, likely to remove rust. The grips are late commercial aftermarket. I have no way of knowing if the magazine is original, but likely not. The same is true of the barrel , hammer, and other parts. Basically, I am looking at a well worn shooter and not a WW I vintage pistol of interest to a collector. In today's market, personally, I would give $200, probably $350, but would start losing interest quickly afterwards. Hope that this helps.

05-13-2012, 05:57 PM	#4
bamajvc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 71	Re: colt 1911 thanks guys

05-13-2012, 08:34 PM	#6
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: colt 1911 Relative to posts #3 & #5: Military 1911 serial numbers 137401 to 151186, assigned to Colt for 1917 per Fjestdad's "B.B. of Gun Values", serialization section, which has become the defacto "Bible" for gun buyers/collectors/ sellers. The same serialization info is found in R L Wilson's book(s). Also, on the Internet: https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/P.../Serialize.pdf I agree with Jim K that this gun appears to be in rough shape, and would be of no interest to me as a keeper. Still, with CDNN quickly selling out of modern (and likely investment cast and MIM) Turkish 1911-A1 copies at $350.00 plus shipping of about $30.00; this old gun made of forged and selectively hardened steel will likely fetch over $350.00 at auction.

05-14-2012, 12:35 AM	#7
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 685	Re: colt 1911 I misread the number, and thought it was in the 14,000 block, not 146,000. Dang!

05-13-2012, 05:55 PM	#3
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 685	Re: colt 1911 The picture is not really good enough to say. It is a 1911 style pistol, instead of the later 1911A1, so it is quite old - I would think that serial number makes it pre-1917. The picture makes it look heavily buffed and reblued, but that is just my opinion. If that is so, it has little or no collector's value - just value as a shooter. I know people ask a lot for Colt 45 automatics in any condition, but I don't know what they actually get. BTW, there is a subforum here specifically for the Colt 1911 - you might want to ask there, and put in a link to this thread.

05-13-2012, 07:56 PM	#5
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: colt 1911 I would lose interest a lot sooner; in fact I would not be interested at all. With a gun that has been abused as badly as that one, I would not even count on finding any good parts. Jim

05-14-2012, 12:50 AM	#8
texasleaguer Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5	Re: colt 1911 [QUOTE=Lanrezac;923728]The picture is not really good enough to say. It is a 1911 style pistol, instead of the later 1911A1, so it is quite old - I would think that serial number makes it pre-1917. The picture makes it look heavily buffed and reblued, but that is just my opinion. If that is so, it has little or no collector's value - just value as a shooter. I know people ask a lot for Colt 45 automatics in any condition, but I don't know what they actually get.QUOTE] It's a 1911 Colt. It isn't being made anymore. While reblueing hurts the collector value, it will still bring at least 500 to 700 bucks. Real ones are starting at 1300 and going up from there, so if you want one to shoot this would be the hot setup. Even a "parts" gun (mixed frame, slide and barrel) will pull 500 out of wallets. It all boils down to the fact it's a Colt. if you don't own one, you'll never understand.

05-14-2012, 03:15 AM	#9
REPEATER V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 249	Re: colt 1911 I own one, a real one, and I wouldnt give much more than a 100 for this one. Id rather spend the money on a aftermarket one that hasn't got inflation all over it __________________ If you ain't 1st, you're (per ALPO) last (Ricky Bobby)

05-14-2012, 06:14 AM	#12
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: colt 1911 Here, I adjusted the pic a bit for clarity. Attached Images __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

05-14-2012, 10:37 AM	#16
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: colt 1911 OK, you folks have set some fancy prices for that gun (Post 1). Here is my problem. That gun has been heavily buffed and reblued and has new grips. Why? When I see a gun like that, my first reaction is that it is not a collectible. So what? It might be a good shooter. BUT why was it buffed or wirewheeled so heavily? Just rust? I think the answer is fire, which is why the grips did not survive. If that gun was in a fire, even a soft slide will not be improved any. Further, all the springs and internal heat treated parts would be ruined. They might have been replaced, but I don't know that. So I would not take the view that "it is a COLT" and therefore worth a lot of money, or that "the slide is worth lots of money". Really? For a ground down slide with the markings almost obliterated? Maybe I err on the side of caution. Maybe that gun was owned by John Browning and is worth a million dollars. Maybe many things, but to me it is an ordinary M1911 in poor condition with lots of unknowns. Jim

05-14-2012, 05:54 PM	#18
bamajvc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 71	Re: colt 1911 http://www.soldalabama.com/index.php...27207&cid=9883 here is the auction. You have to pick up and pay in person and I be an alabama resident. I am interested in a couple others, the armalite if it stays under 700 and maybe another hunting rifle.

05-14-2012, 07:06 PM	#19
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: colt 1911 Thanks for the link. Too bad that I am not an AL resident. Long time to auction end, but item 1014 is likely a steal at under $120.00.