colt 1911 question
What do you guys think a Colt 1911 first year production civilian model with three digit serial number under 500 is worth? Ballpark? It is solid 90% with one mag. It is one of the early glossy ones. It's pricey, but I might buy it. Looking for feedback. thanks
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i bought a colt 1911 yesterday, and i am wondering if i have the original box. i have a government model 70's series in nickel with a prefix "70B" which is 1981-83 manufacture. should this have come with a two piece box or the newer one piece blue hard case? 0 -
If paper box "I THINK THAT IS PROPER" it should have label with serial number 0 -
There was another box that came between the 2 piece box and the blue hard case that might also be correct for that gun. That would be the styrofoam 2 piece with the cardboard sleeve it slides into. 0 -
does the original box really add to the value of the gun or not? it is in 100% condition and looks to have MAYBE been fired once or twice, possibly at the factory? 0 -
also, does anyone know where to research the first question, the box i have is a blue hard case and there is no model or serial numbers on the box, i still am not sure if the could be or is not the original box. 0 -
The last Model of 1911 was made in about 1919, so you do not have a "1911." You apparently have a Government Model. (Look at the stamping on the slide.) While many will say, everybody uses "1911" to mean any Model O Colt, it makes a huge difference if you are looking for a World War I era Colt on the auction side and have to wade through hundreds of misidentified new Government Models and Commanders to fine a true Model of 1911.
If the gun is a factory bright nickel from the early 1980s, it should have a solid maroon-color paper sleeve holding two white Styrofoam shells with a shape to fit the gun inside them. I am not aware of any two-piece boxes from the 1980s.
The blue plastic boxes came later in the 1980s or early 1990s, and have a "newsprint" paper sleeve holding the plastic box, and have an end label with gun-specific information on it. I am not sure exactly when that style of box began since I do not follow "new" Colts very closely. (I should go to the vault room and look at when the box styles did change on the few "new" Colts I do have, but I am waiting for a call that I do not want to take away from my desk.) The later blue plastic boxes came inside a white paper sleeve with an end label on one flap, so have no end label on the plastic box. Later blue plastic boxes came without a sleeve and have an end label on the box.
Original boxes can add huge value, depending on the gun, and even standing alone. For instance, a box for a 1967 Colt Gold Cup just brought $556 on eBay today.
A box with a matching end label will add substantial value even to "newer" guns.
(I have edited my earlier response since it contained some misinformation. I may still have it wrong on these "new" guns, but I think I am closer now than my unedited response.)0 -
I'm pretty sure that that pistol was not shipped in a blue plastic box from the factory! 0 -
An unnumbered blue plastic Colt box sounds like the gun went back to the factory for some reason and was returned in the current box. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by skyball777
does the original box really add to the value of the gun or not? it is in 100% condition and looks to have MAYBE been fired once or twice, possibly at the factory?
Absolutely! The box adds value if and when you want to sell it!0
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