WW1 Colt 1911 value?

[onegunshort]

I went an looked at this colt today. Serial number puts it at 1917, all parts appear correct except the magazine base plate is a replacement (but the magazine is correct 2-tone). Very little finish remaining. Barrel has good rifling but looks like it has some light pitting in the lands, or it just needs a cleaning. Barrel Has the "H" proof but the "P" has pretty much worn off. Frame/Slide has some looseness but really not too bad. "MODEL OF 1911 US ARMY" stamp is partially double stamped on the word "model". Frame has the proper GHS stamp.

I am concerned about the lack of the "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" stamp on the left side of the frame. I don't see any evidence that it was removed, but I'm not really an expert in these things.

What do you think this is worth, guy wants $600?

 

[Jim Watson]

I won't guess a value but will say that the United States Property was probably neatly removed by the vet who pilfered his service pistol. This devalues it a great deal to a collector.

What do you want the gun FOR?
Investment? See above.
Shooting? We are warned about the mild steel in early guns.
Affordable example of the type? OK.

 

[onegunshort]

Mostly the "affordable example" category. I was pretty sure it was supposed to have the US property mark so after I saw that it was missing I was thinking I would probably pass on it. Thought I'd at least check on value anyway though.

 

[ingmansinc]

I would think that is a low price. Are you sure that they all had US Govt. Prop. on them? I would toss this question on the Colt Forum and see what they say.

 

[MR .44 Spl]

If it was in good mechanical shape, I would sure have to think hard about that one. The old .45s are neat guns and the prices are through the roof these days.

 

[safearm]

Since it's a 1911, everything else being equal, I think $600 is a very reasonable price. I looked at M1911A1s at a recent gun show and everything worth looking at was over $1000.

 

[pred]

Fair price,,, Any 1911 with ser # that starts with "No" was a military issue.
All Commercial ones started with a "C"
I think the US Property was ground off long ago, and worth 600.
But dont shoot it too much, The slide was not hardened the full length,, It could crack,,, And then the 1911 is worth way less....
Peter

 

[John Wyatt]

The gun would have not passed final inspection without the United States Property marking on the frame, so it was removed at some point. As for the price, I would not pay $600 due to the removed marking and little finish remaining, but it all depends how bad you want one and how much you are willing to spend. My dad sold a similar looking Colt 1911 with removed markings for $500 about two years ago at a local gun show and the buyer was happy to get it.

 

[handejector]

The gun was reblued fairly well long ago, evidenced by the significantly rounded "corners" where the flat sides meet the round top on the slide. Other corners show light buffing also. NOT honest wear. None of the reblue remains, so the gun has nothing going for it.

PASS. It's a $300-400 shooter, depending on the bore, the "rattle", and the action.

 

[dant]

Mixed bag, all GOOD comments above and we all have our "reasons" ( opinions) and bottom line I feel, thats too much for that condition, or with the "issues" involved, it ( US Property) was ground off LONG ago, as the 'patina' has covered any and all of the work, but I feel the front end "rounding" is wear, put in and out of a "tight" holster , shows the gun was "used" and a LOT...the holes in the frame as well as the 'horse' (rear left) don't show "buffing and polishing, as the entire front end of the gun,(frame, as well as the slide do.......)
yes, a $300-400, tops, gun, as Lee says, see too many in nicer? ( honest) shape at that $600 mark,,that seems to be the "water level" at least around here,,,better examples shoot over the $1000 mark real quick , at least at the shows and forget it in the blue books/gun list...they want 'triple" and they are "doctored"....

 

[handejector]

I still think buffed lightly.
I realize they stayed off the roll marks, but there would be some color difference, even with the patina, where the US Prop was ground off IF the gun had not been blued after.
The edge I mentioned is rolled off by the buffer, and the corners of the ejection port really show it. Also shows on the corners of the scallop at bottom front of slide.

Also note the serrations on right side- they rounded the top edges when buffing, but missed them on the left.

Reblued.

 

[onegunshort]

Thanks for all the information and opinions, pretty much confirms how I felt as soon as I saw it, so I will not be purchasing. I have a nice modern Colt 1911 already and the money could be better spent elsewhere.

 

[ecam8000]

On the flip side. There are not that many pre 1911A1's around. I have one in similar condition (1918) and really enjoy owning it.