HELP WITH PISTOL VALUE

[mickeyblueyes]

I am not a member of the Colt forum , could some one here please lend a hand with a price.

I have the opportunity to buy a Colt 1911. its in 90% condition.
not a safe queen but not shot up either. By the serial number it was made in 1908. I don't know what else to say about it. Thanks if you can help me.-mike

 

[s&wchad]

Something isn't right, the 1911 didn't exist in 1908. There was a Model 1905 that vaguely resembled a 1911.
What's the serial number and caliber marking?

 

[JJEH]

Do you have a picture of it?

 

[Arik]

Are you sure its a 1911? Are you sure you're reading the s# correct?

Colt made earlier guns that the 1911 looked like

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[s&wchad]

The Colt Model 1905 I mentioned looks like an overgrown Model 1903 Pocket Hammer (upper gun in the photo), except the bottom of the backstrap was squared off rather than curved. It lacked the 1911's grip safety, manual safety and used a wedge to retain the slide (front bottom of the slide). The 1905 had a slide stop, but it's completely different from the type used on a 1911.

 

[jaykellogg]

The Colt 1911 was adopted by the Army in March 1911 and civilian sales started with serial number C1 in 1912. The 1905 (above) was made between 1905 and 1911. If it is a 1911 with a four digit serial number in 90% condition it is indeed a safe queen. Is it marked "US Property"?

We need a lot more information to determine if the gun was ever arsenal rebuilt, was ever refinished, just exactly which model it is, etc.

Pictures would help. As I said if it is a 4 digit 90% 1911 it is a very high dollar gun.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

I can do all of the above, It must be a 1905 not a 1911. The serial number says it was made in 1908 FOR SURE.

So it is a .45 acp for sure also. what is a 1905 worth in 90%

I will get pix in a bit but looks like the one above?

 

[JJEH]

So it is a .45 acp for sure also. what is a 1905 worth in 90%

Picture(s) and S/N would help.

There are several different models, like early ones, standard model, shoulder stocked pistols and Military variation.

 

[gm272gs]

...its in 90% condition.
not a safe queen but not shot up either...

If it is in 90% condition, I beg to differ. In my opinion - for a pistol over 100 years old - that's a "safe queen".

The book value of a Colt Model 1905 (.45ACP, 5" barrel, blue, fixed sights, checkered walnut stocks, similar to the model 1902 Sporting, Mfg. 1905-1911) in 90% condition would be $3,800.00.

I seriously doubt that it is in 90% condition (as it relates to the PPGS-o-meter in Fjestad's Blue Book).

Photos are required. Detailed, close-up photos!

 

[JJEH]

I have the Flayderman's Guide (9th Edition, 2007) and it shows the standart model (S/N range above about 700) for $3,250 in excellent condition. Due to the fact that this book is 6 yrs old I think the above shown value of $3,800 is very close.

Military versions even go up as much as $20k and more in exc. condition.

UPDATE:

The Standard Catalog of Military Firearms (6th Edition, 2011) shows even a $6,000 value for the Colt Model 1905 in excellent condition for the civilian model.

VG ~$4,500
Good ~$2,750
Fair ~$950
Poor ~$400

Hope this helps.

 

[jaykellogg]

The serial number says it was made in 1908 FOR SURE.

Colt used different serial number ranges for different pistols. Please post detailed pictures and the serial number. If you want you can disguise the number, say from C2466 to C24XX.

In 100 year old Colts in 90% condition there can be a lot of money involved. Small variations can mean the difference between a $3,000 gun and a $5000 gun.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

ok stand by I will get pix and serial no. In any even he wants $1100. I am not sure its worth it I will post in a few mins.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Colt 1905

Ok I am having difficulty uploading pix today, I don't know why I have done it a million times. the serial # is 4 digits. 31X8 which makes it a 1908 date of manufacture. Upon closer examination, the blue is not as crisp as a new one, understandably, Does not show much evidence of being shot. If I could get the photos up you all could tell me what it might be worth. I saw on another forum one fellow had a real nice piece and he wanted $15,000?

Seems high to me. There is a magazine for this gun on GB for $250 with one bid. can someone put me in the ball park for worth???

 

[Rule3]

Ok I am having difficulty uploading pix today, I don't know why I have done it a million times. the serial # is 4 digits. 31X8 which makes it a 1908 date of manufacture. Upon closer examination, the blue is not as crisp as a new one, understandably, Does not show much evidence of being shot. If I could get the photos up you all could tell me what it might be worth. I saw on another forum one fellow had a real nice piece and he wanted $15,000?

Seems high to me. There is a magazine for this gun on GB for $250 with one bid. can someone put me in the ball park for worth???

Are you trying to attach the photo or upload through Photobucket or similar. To attach it has to be a pretty small file. So perhaps resize the picture.??

 

[mickeyblueyes]

pix

I am using photo bucket , except it will not find the file in my album.

 

[JJEH]

I am using photo bucket , except it will not find the file in my album.

Perhaps it's a different file format?

But you can upload it here on the board to your album as well.

 

[JJEH]

Alright, mickeyblueyes sent me the pic and here it is.

Seems like a Colt Model 1905 standart production and I think just from this picture that the sellers asking price of $1,100 is a fair deal if everything works and the internal parts are correct and not worn out.

 

[S&W ucla]

You should grab it now!

 

[s&wchad]

IMO, that Model 1905 is worth a minimum of $3,000. Nice gun!

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Value?.?

You guys are confusing me. I will admit I make bad choices with good intentions at times. Book value and imput from you guys seem to believe this pistol is worth,$1100.

Yet the last two post peg it much higher.a 1905 will never be a 19111, and that seems to be where the money goes ,along with Pythons.

This pisto has not been registered in a minimum of 45 years.,I can not even dream of a way to get it on license?

Do you not agree that $1100 couldbe better spent on a 70 or 80 series gold cup!?

 

[Masterpiece]

I think just from this picture that the sellers asking price of $1,100 is a fair deal if everything works and the internal parts are correct and not worn out.

Mickey,

I'm certainly no expert on these M1905 Colt Autos, but knowing their scarcity & given the Excellent Original Condition this Pistol looks to be in, I'd also have to agree with the others that you should grab it fast at that price even with the missing the magazine...that is unless there's some issue with it we're not aware of as JJEF stated!! Good Luck!!

 

[gregintenn]

You guys are confusing me. I will admit I make bad choices with good intentions at times. Book value and imput from you guys seem to believe this pistol is worth,$1100.

Yet the last two post peg it much higher.a 1905 will never be a 19111, and that seems to be where the money goes ,along with Pythons.

This pisto has not been registered in a minimum of 45 years.,I can not even dream of a way to get it on license?

Do you not agree that $1100 couldbe better spent on a 70 or 80 series gold cup!?

I believe you should be able to trade it for at least a pair of Gold Cups, assuming it is unaltered and in working condition.

 

[Onomea]

This pisto has not been registered in a minimum of 45 years.,I can not even dream of a way to get it on license?....

Where are you located? Just give us US state or country.

 

[Nframecollector]

Jump on it!

 

[JJEH]

IMO, that Model 1905 is worth a minimum of $3,000. Nice gun!

Well, that's really hard to say in my opinion. I have 3 different books and 3 different values on it. The GD book of modern gun values (16th Edition, 2011) puts the standard production of the 1905 in following price range;

$3,500 for Exc. condition
$2,250 VG
$1,300 Good

I'm not an Colt expert, but (based on that one picture) I wouldn't put this pistol in very good or even higher condition w/o seeing and inspecting it in person.