1911A1 in cosmoline
I have just aquired a Remington Rand 1911A1 still in what looks to be the original cosmoline paper, along with two spare clips, one in cosmoline paper (still wrapped) and the other unwrapped with traces of cosmoline. The paper on the gun has been peeled back slightly on both sides so the S/N and the manufacturer could be identified. The S/N identifies the gun as being built in 1943. I would really like to unwrap the gun and have a case built for. Will this devalue the gun, and what is the value of the gun? Also can I assume that the gun is original and has never been fired?
Thanks, Rich.
Thanks, Rich.
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At a large gunshow like Houston Astrohall, Dallas Market Hall or Tulsa Indian Nation, I think the gun would sell for $1200, maybe more. That is, assuming it is unissued, which it sounds like it is. If I had it and was buying insurance, I would insure it for $2000.
My humble opinion,
Rafter-S0 -
Thanks Rafter,for your reply. Do you think the value would drop if I unwrapped it?
Rich.0 -
If you want to sell it, do you think that a collector will buy it for a high dollar amount without unwrapping it and inspecting it? I would unwrap it, look at it to assure myself that it was really like new, then lay it back on the paper and just partially rewrap it so that one side can be viewed by prospective customers; but only let those who really conviced me of their sincerity to pick it up. Don't remove the grease. 0 -
I believe that you need to have the gun examined by an expert, & quickly. Within the last few years I have seen photos of well-used M1911A1's that were "restored", smeared with grease to obfuscate their true condition, & displayed in counterfeit boxes for sale to the unwary.
I fear that YOU might be the unwary, especially if you paid a price close to what Rafter quoted. Do you have high quality digital photos for us?
Neal0 -
The gun will have to be unwrapped and cleaned before it cam be sold for more than $300. I would suggest you do it, and then protect it. If it appears to be unfired, then don't fire it. If it appears to be refinished, do what you want with it.
How you doin'!
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Neal, Thanks for your reply. I am out of town at this time and won't be home for about ten days. I will supply photos when I return home.
Thanks again, Rich.
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
I believe that you need to have the gun examined by an expert, & quickly. Within the last few years I have seen photos of well-used M1911A1's that were "restored", smeared with grease to obfuscate their true condition, & displayed in counterfeit boxes for sale to the unwary.
I fear that YOU might be the unwary, especially if you paid a price close to what Rafter quoted. Do you have high quality digital photos for us?
Neal0 -
Quote: "but only let those who really conviced me of their sincerity to pick it up."
Der Gebirgsjager makes a great point here. I have sold lots of guns, many of them unique collectables like you have. It is common in gunshows for Joe Sixpacks of all kinds to pick up and "mess" with guns that are prestine--guns that shouldn't be handled except by the most serious of buyers. They will pick up your gun with the hand they were eating salty popcorn with, rack the slide and drop the clip, then say, "my daddy had one like this one time." A few slide rackings and clip droppings will make a "used" gun out of your new gun. The point is, you may have to get real direct with lookers. Serious buyers will not be offended by your protecting the prestineness of the gun they want to buy.
My humble 2-cents worth,
Rafter-S0 -
I'm not interested in selling it, but would like to display it.
Rich.
quote:Originally posted by Der Gebirgsjager
If you want to sell it, do you think that a collector will buy it for a high dollar amount without unwrapping it and inspecting it? I would unwrap it, look at it to assure myself that it was really like new, then lay it back on the paper and just partially rewrap it so that one side can be viewed by prospective customers; but only let those who really conviced me of their sincerity to pick it up. Don't remove the grease.0 -
I have the same gun in my collection, however; mine has been used by the previous owner and me. Check the magazine on the top of the toe plate for the letter "R". It stands for Ridson, the company that manufactured the original magazines for the Remington Rands. Mine is also a 1943, parkerized, and has a Springfield barrel which is correct for this gun.
Hope this helps.......
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
Rich, I discourage everyone from displaying guns except "wall hangers" & replicas. There are 2 reasons:
1) Guns need to be secured from burglars, & from misuse by others in your household.
2) It's difficult to build a display case without acid-containing materials that will ruin a guns finish. And, a display case will, in most areas, trap moisture that will cause surface rust.
The best place to keep a gun is in a safe with dessicant or a safe heater.
Neal0 -
Neal, I don't want to display it in a glass case or anything like that. I do keep it in a safe which I put desicant in, all of my guns are in the safe, none are permanantly displayed. In fact, I have gone and had the gun, (still in cosmoline paper) vacuum sealed in heavy plastic. I would like to open it, clean it, and have a nice silk or velvet lined wooden box made for it, but I'm starting to think that the best way to keep it is how I have it now.
Thanks, Rich.
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
Rich, I discourage everyone from displaying guns except "wall hangers" & replicas. There are 2 reasons:
1) Guns need to be secured from burglars, & from misuse by others in your household.
2) It's difficult to build a display case without acid-containing materials that will ruin a guns finish. And, a display case will, in most areas, trap moisture that will cause surface rust.
The best place to keep a gun is in a safe with dessicant or a safe heater.
Neal0 -
Charlie, Thanks for your response. The gun is still in what I believe to be the original cosmoline paper, according to the story behind the gun. It came with two spare clips also, one of which is also wrapped in cosmaline paper, but the other is not and has traces of cosmaline and paper on it and does have "R" stamped on the toe, which I just assumed meant Remington. The clip in the gun is not visable unless I unwrap the gun. Will unwrapping the gun devalue it?
Rich.
quote:Originally posted by njretcop
I have the same gun in my collection, however; mine has been used by the previous owner and me. Check the magazine on the top of the toe plate for the letter "R". It stands for Ridson, the company that manufactured the original magazines for the Remington Rands. Mine is also a 1943, parkerized, and has a Springfield barrel which is correct for this gun.
Hope this helps.......
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"<br>NRA Certified Firearms Instructor<br>Member: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD.<br> <A HREF="mailto:njretcop@copmail.com">njretcop@copmail.com</A> <P>0
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