44 DA First Model Questions

[hsguy]

Hello all, I ran across a 44 DA First Model in 44 Russian that appears to have the original finish that has faded to a brown color. There is no sign of a refinish or external corrosion, I would rate it at about 90% but don't know how the brown hue effects a rating. The gun is perfect mechanically but the bore is a bit rough. Lock-up is very tight. Rifling is present and appears quite strong. Both original hard rubber grips are cracked. I am having a bit of a hard time estimating the value of the gun and thought perhaps someone more experienced in these guns could help out. Thanks, John

 

[hsguy]

Hello all, I ran across a 44 DA First Model in 44 Russian that appears to have the original finish that has faded to a brown color. There is no sign of a refinish or external corrosion, I would rate it at about 90% but don't know how the brown hue effects a rating. The gun is perfect mechanically but the bore is a bit rough. Lock-up is very tight. Rifling is present and appears quite strong. Both original hard rubber grips are cracked. I am having a bit of a hard time estimating the value of the gun and thought perhaps someone more experienced in these guns could help out. Thanks, John

 

[m-1911]

I don't think I could call a gun with cracked grips and a brown finish a 90% gun. A gun like that would be in the $500 range I would guess, and I may be erring on the high side without seeing it

 

[hsguy]

Gary, thanks for the reply. Perhaps I need to clarify, I rated the finish at 90% in terms of wear, what I am in the dark about is the brown hue of the finish. The finish does appear to be original but has turned an even brown color. John

 

[feralmerril]

They call that patenia

 

[opoefc]

It's patina. The name for the condition of older metal finishes that have reacted to oxygen and the finsh has turned to an even brown or tarnished color. Removal of patina , by polishing, is considered a no no for many antique items, including guns. However, it also means there's no original finsh, or very little, left which affects value. The gun above sounds like a $450 to $550 gun maximum, to me.

 

[cgt4570]

Add to that the scarcity of good original .44 DA grips. Unless those can be repaired, you will have a hard time finding correct grips for it. Right now I have a pair of K round butt factory pearl grips on mine. (They 'almost' fit. Just a little metal showing on the bottom corners.) Other option if it's going to be a shooter is to get a pair of modern fancy N frame round butt grips and sand them down a little to fit. (I stumbled across my from an estate for $200 a couple years ago. I think that was a deal of the century!)
Chris

 

[hsguy]

Thanks all for the replies! Sorry I didn't respond sooner but the flu bug had my laying low for a while. John

 

[dan_is_dea_mann]

Is it for sale?

 

[hsguy]

Not anymore as I bought it. John