1911A1 value
I was given a 1911A1 45 auto by my late father-in-law. He carried it as a Naval officer in the South Pacific in WWII (Micronesia). I plan to pass it on to one of his descendants. I would like to have an estimate of the approximate value and anything else of interest.
The pistol is in its original brown leather holster stamped "US". It is accompanied by two additional magazines in a military web belt pouch.
The pistol bluing is in fair condition and is shiny metal in some areas (If it weren't for the history, I'd have it reblued) . There are no discernable dings or scratches. The gun is in good working condition. The slide top has "P" in front of the rear sight. The rear, front and right of the slide are blank. The left slide side has the 1807, 1902, 1905 and 1913 patent dates. Then a rampant horse followed by "COLTS PT.F.A.MFG, HARTFORD.CT U.S.A." The right side of the receiver has "No 437xxx". The left of the receiver has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and a small symbol with "S6" under it. The trigger guard has "32" on the side.
Thanks for any information.
The pistol is in its original brown leather holster stamped "US". It is accompanied by two additional magazines in a military web belt pouch.
The pistol bluing is in fair condition and is shiny metal in some areas (If it weren't for the history, I'd have it reblued) . There are no discernable dings or scratches. The gun is in good working condition. The slide top has "P" in front of the rear sight. The rear, front and right of the slide are blank. The left slide side has the 1807, 1902, 1905 and 1913 patent dates. Then a rampant horse followed by "COLTS PT.F.A.MFG, HARTFORD.CT U.S.A." The right side of the receiver has "No 437xxx". The left of the receiver has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and a small symbol with "S6" under it. The trigger guard has "32" on the side.
Thanks for any information.
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I should have added that the brown leather holster has a grommeted hole for a tiedown strap at the bottom. The back of the holster is set up for both attachment to a web belt or a conventional one. The back also has "JOSEPH M MOSSER, 1942" stamped into it. 0 -
I'm not an expert, but do know that militaria, especially WW2, is a hot market. I would keep it as is, do not modify or reblue. As for value, I would guess $800-$1500, at least. 0 -
Nah, you don't want to keep a dangerous old relic like that around, it might blow up and hurt someone!!! Just wrap it up in some old newspapers and send it to me and I'll make sure and dispose of it properly, heh heh heh[}:)][;)][}:)] er..I mean[:)][^][:)]
Frog.
RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.0 -
Hello if you have a 6 digit serial that starts with 437xxx this pistol is a WW one colt and made in 1918 it is a 1911 and should be blue black in color 1911a1 for the most part were parkerised. gray /green the the s6 and 32 whould be marks fom persons who assembled the gun . any matching 1911. that has not been refurbished and parkerised.I would think would bring $1000.00 and up depending on condition and if correct small parts."PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN" 0 -
Curses!!...Foiled again[:D]
Frog.
RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.0 -
mowart-do yourself and all other 1911 lovers a favor and do NOT keep the Colt in the holster. Wipe it down with a good preservative oil and store it away from the holster. I wish I could remember how many wartime 1911's (which yours is) and 1911A1's that have been cosmetically ruined by years left in a leather holster. -Asa 0 -
mowart,
For what my 2 cents is worth, asa is absolutely on target concerning storage. If this 1911 doesn't already have or even if it does have some light finish damage from storage in the holster, go ahead, wipe it down and get that "puppy" (and mags) far away from any holster, whether it be leather or canvis when storing it.
I have an all original Series 70 Colt in 9mm (great shooter) but "Really, Really Ugly" (even after being bead blasted and reblued) . Unfortunately someone left it in a leather holster and let it get wet and sit up without being removed from the holster or cleaned. Need I say more to those who know what happened.
It has been my experience that once the finish is severely damaged by even just being stored in a holster for a short period of time, there isn't much hope of ever saving or reworking the finish. Rebluing on these old 1911s is a definite, positively an absolutely last ditch resort that nearly all serious collectors will not even consider.0
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