Colt 1911-A1 US Army
I'm not new to the gun game but this gun baffel's me. There seems to be so many variations. I'm not sure how to identify what exactly I have. Is there a kind hearted someone out there that can help me? I would like to sell this gun but, I'm afraid to sell it until I positively identify it. The serial # is 2248017, has Brit Gov 1952 on the side and fully engraved, wood grips. Pictures available. Thanks!
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Hello,
I have a Colt 1911-A1 serial # 2248017. Brit Gov 1952 on the side. Someone did an incredible engraving job to the pistol. How the heck do I value this gun for sale? I can't seem to identify this pistol exactly in my Blue book. I can send pictures. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff0 -
I would contact MarkChristian, Nmyers or Rufe-snow. Any of these guys would probably do you right. I just hope it wasn't a lend lease gun that was "engraved". The lend lease guns are very valuable, but the engraving would have to affect that greatly. And probably not in a good way.
James
Whats next? A ban on automatic transmissions?0 -
Mfg. by Colt in 1945
Maybe a lend-lease piece that post-WW2 was absorbed into British stockpiles ... who engraved it is anyone's guess, but usually the atisan leaves their "mark" somewhere within the work.
Pictures, especially close up of the engraving would help. Also closeup of any proof or other markings.
Value ... pretty much up in the air until more is known but to set a range let's say $1,000-1,500+
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Unfortunately, whomever did the engraving did not do you a favor. A good military Colt is very valueable. The Lend-Lease would also attract a following. As written, the engraving will attract a very SMALL following with the value accordingly. If the slide only is engraved, your best bet would be to find an unmarred slide to restore it.
It the receiver is also engraved, it has little or no collector value.
Value would then revert to a series 70 Colt or there abouts.0 -
Sadly, I have to agree with Skyking. The classic great engravers who did contract work for Colt primarily engraved commercial guns; it's difficult to imagine anyone sending one of them an ex-military gun. It's possible that your gun was done by some other highly skilled engraver, but not likely. Only an engraver, & a small group of knowledgeable dealers & collectors, would have the "eye" to evaluate the quality of your engraving, or possibly identify the engraver.
Since you have digital photos, you may want to send them to a couple of high-end Colt dealers, such as Doug Carlson or Bedlan's, or to Butterfield's auction house. If they believe that their clientele would be interested, they might be willing to sell it for you; they would undoubtedly get you the highest net return for it.
Failing that, you may as well list it on an Internet auction & let the market determine it's real value.
Oh, you will need to remove the barrel & identify it (color, condition, markings) before you do anything else.
Neal0 -
My guess is that Japan is where the pistol was engraved. I saw some beautiful gun engraving done in Tokyo.
The Brits had a Commonwealth Brigade comprising Brits, Aussies and New Zealanders in Korea. They also had a ROK contingent equipped with British uniforms, equipment and English accents. Since guns were somewhat looser in that zone than in garrison it's possible a loose gun was engraved.
To engrave a government weapon would get you in serious trouble in any army.0
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