Colt 1911 original military issue?

Question

This gun was given to me by someone who hates guns and knows nothing of the value....hehe

The weapon has been re-finished and does not have the original clip (I got a factory one). Otherwise, it has no other mod's and is in great condition.

What would be a fair open market price? Please remember it has been re-finished.....

Definitely refinished, but not a bad job of it. It looks great though not original.

On the left side, it says:

"Patented April 20, 1897. September 9 1902, Decmber 19th 1905, February 14th 1911.

United States Property

Colts PT. F.A. Manufacturing Company.
Hartford Connecticut."

The serial number is five digits long starting with 5****.

NO OTHER NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN ADDED. Just the re-finish and the clip.

It appears to be a matte finish. It also appears to have the original wood grips.

John T. Don't correct me. I know the difference. I will call it what I please.

DJ. Mine is actually in better shape than that and is older though i dont have the foldover holster (nice touch though).

Definitely not black anymore.

NO IT IS NOT A FAKE (not you DJ).

Hey DJ....nice site.

It looks like mine fits here. Only one round of pistols made before mine. Colt: S/N 3190 to 7501 = May 31, 1912 to Oct. 10, 1912

Answer 1

A five-digit serial number? That's a very early model. It would have had a black finish at that date. Refinish if correct will not detract that much, especially if the finish were completely gone and worn away. I'd need to see pics of the edge wear, etc. These were in service for a while and it should have been smoothed down around all the edges, checkering etc and it needs to look good. You are looking at well over a thousand and when you get that high dollar collectors get picky about details.

I've added a link to a great 1911 info sight.

Also, see if yours look like this 1917 model on Auctionarms. Now, this guy started his auction way too high IMO. But who knows, collectors go crazy sometimes.

Answer 2

Does it have the "A" designation? The early manufacture 1911 Colts go for a lot of money, over a thousand, but you say it has been refinished. That really diminishes the value to a collector. How has it been refinished? Has it been re-blued or nickel plated? That kind of refinish does lower the collector's value. Now if only the grips have been changed, that doesn't affect value that much.

The early Colt adopted by the US Army in March of 1911 does not have the "A" designation. The newer model Colt pistol Caliber .45, M1911A1, adopted in 1924 does have the letter 'A.' That will also have a bearing on your pistol's value.

If it functions well and is not too rough... say around $500.

Best.

H

Answer 3

In the realm of collecting, refinishing destroys the value of a collectible firearm. It turns a collectible firearm into a "shooter". The only exception is a firearms that was refinished by the company that built it to original specifications. Even that will lower the value and you need the documentation. The value of military issue 1911 pistol is also dependent on the manufacturer. And believe it or not, not having an original magazine (technically it is a magazine and not a clip) also effects the value by quite a bit. My suggestion is to take it to a collector and ask them what it is worth. Remember you want the value you should insure it for rather than what you could sell it for.

Sorry, I truly didn't mean to offend. I'm neither a collector nor a gun snob; but I know them, and the only 1911 "expert" I know is a real pain in the butt when someone calls it a clip instead of a magazine. My apologies

Answer 4

The serial number would be important since it lets us know when it was made, also "special" serial numbers like "666" and "1000" and "1111" and "1234" are worth considerably more just because their serial number has a unique quality.

Then, we must know what "refinished" means to you. Are some parts replacement? Was it done well or did someone blue it in their garage? Was it refinished or restored, refinished is more like making them "good" while restored is making them look original.

Then there is the question, did it play a part in any battles? A 1911 that was with a GI walking on Omaha beach on D-day is worth a lot more than one that never left the warehouse. If it did play a major part and you can have document signed by the soldier that carried it in that battle it will increase value drastically.

Is it new manufacture that someone had repairs done on? If it is new and not even military issue it depends on if it is stainless or blued or a matte finish. It depends if the hand grips are wood or synthetic. New 1911's vary in price a lot depends on what it is made of and who made it.

My suggestion, don't sell it. If you find out it is worth a lot, keep the piece of history, it will go up in value and be worth even more in 10 years...good guns are a great investment. If it turns out to be nothing special and not too valuable, enjoy shooting it, don't be in a rush to sell it, guns don't lose value, especially a proven design like the 1911, it will be loved and valued by the world for decades to come.... the 1911 has a special place in every gun lovers heart.

additional response: Matte finish was never original on any military issue 1911's as far as I am aware, believe me though I am not all knowing. This means two things: one is that it was refinished and not restored, if it had been redone to make it look original it wouldn't be so bad but since someone has changed the appearance it hurts value a lot. On the other hand, matte finish is a great finish, I have NEVER seen matte finish rust.... truthfully, anything you can get for it now is not what it is worth. Keep it until it gains more value as time goes on and they get more scarce. Until then, be happy to have a matte finish 1911 that you can enjoy for years. Collector value at this time is minimal for that weapon, I would definitely say it is a "shooter". Any price someone would pay is not going to be what it is worth to you in enjoyment and a quality 1911 is going to cost you a lot more if you ever decide you want one again.

One other things strikes me as odd. I have rarely seen a matte finish added to a weapon after production... I mean no offense to you or your friends but it makes me wonder if it is not a fake. Stamping "government property" on something is not very hard for someone who knows their stuff.

Your best action is to just keep it and shoot it..... you cannot get what it is really worth right now.

perhaps if you took a digital picture and provided a link so we can see it instead of hear it would help us give a more accurate value, if you decide to do this remember to blur the last 2-3 serial numbers.

Answer 5

It depends on the year it was manufactured. They started making them around 1912. The earlier ones will go for a few thousand dollars. Later models..much less.
Remember, there were literaly millions of them made, so supply is abundant. It was a reliable weapon, but not as accurate as newer guns. It was a little front end heavy. Having it refinsihed may have actually decreased the value if it was a really old one. Research the serial number and try to get the story behind it. Good luck

Answer 6

without the original parts the value will be low.you can look up the serial number and compare it to 1911 costs. the 1911 that brings any money are the ones with all original parts.i have a 1911 us army left to me by my dad.it had solid silver with 14kt trim.my gunsmith looked up the gun. the grips were made for ww1 heroes and their are only 125 of these grip sets.that adds a lot of value.there is a website that you can look up all the old 1911's.just follow the serial numbers and you will get a manufacture year.then you can compare.my is the one that says 1911 us army,united states property

Answer 7

Depending upon the condition, and the fact that it doesn't have the original clip, anywhere from $400 on up to $2,000, and that's just an educated guess. Kahr Arms, the current manufacturer of the 1911 Government .45 charges about $600 for a new basic model, designed exactly like the originals.

Answer 8

Too bad it has been refinished; in original shape its value would start at around two thousand and higher. Now you have a good shooter.

Answer 9

I would go register at thehighroad.com and ask them for expert opinions,but depending on the year it was made,I have seen them in the 2 to 3 thousand range.If you are a hobby shooter,hunter or have any fondness for guns I would keep it.

Answer 10

Depending on the brand, $500.00- $750.00. Can't really tell without examining it.