OK. The shop I went to is one I have purchased a nice SIG Sauer from, and I like the folks there.

But well...in addition to Pop not really seeing anything he's interested in, which was why we went there, what's up with 1911s? Prices I mean

This is a 1911, not a 1911A1. 1918 manufacture. Replacement thumb safety. Original seeming grips- sanded. They felt good regardless actually, and the pistol felt really nice. 'US PROPERTY', etc. But.

Somebody took the pistol to a buffer and buffed the finish, probably due to a patina of rust that was on it. How do I know? From the uneven finish on flat surfaces and the spring housing not being cylindrical anymore- it had a contour, just like from a buffing wheel if the edge of the wheel rubbed the housing. Serial was still on it, of course, this shop ain't shady, but the stampings were not crisp

So it's a 'US PROP' pistol, OK, 1911 OK, period grips OK. Pistol was tight and solid. Can't really describe it, but all vintage Colts like this I've handled seem like they are built to last forever, this one was no different. Has replacement parts, muzzle did not have crisp rifling. Deep scratches on slide too. Came with a boot-black holster. 1500 bucks?? So the holster is "worth" what...200 bucks somehow? It also came with an unidentifiable mag.

I could never make that pistol 'right', but it's still pricey. Disappointed in the idea of getting my 1911 in this climate. I have a Colt 1903 with poor finish that is only two years younger...but nobody ever F'd with it. This 1911 was unfortunately F'd with and nobody can fix that

So not only did Pop not see anything I could buy him, I'm really down on ever getting a WWI vintage 1911. I also looked at a second generation Colt 1851 at another shop. "Never been fired!". Oh. I guess the last owner got those wear marks on the hammer by storing it in his safe, and the residue on the nipples is from storage...but I digress

1911 is still on my radar but jeez. 1500 for that white elephant. I don't think I could buy it at 1200 and get 1000 in return if I sold it. Diminishing returns for sure. I'll save some more money and look after the holidays

Sounds kinda tough. Maybe you should get one of the Colt WWI reproductions? I have seen them and they are almost as nice as an original and can be had for about $850-$950. I wouldn't mind having one of the 1918 Black Army repros!

I actually like them, but on the one hand, haven't they had recalls on them? And on the other, it's still not a real US PROPERTY pistol

That said, if there was nothing wrong with it, I'd own one in a heartbeat. maybe I should reconsider getting one...but I still wouldn't have what I really, really wanted

Well, I just checked, and I cannot purchase any such thing in MA anyway, so I can forget it. No new 1911s from Colt, period, and the WWI repro definitely qualifies. Flipping MA

I would personally not pay that price for a pistol such as you described--It has been my experience that insofar as retaining value, one is better off buying an original example of a weapon, even if that means paying more, than buying one that has been buggered up with a buffing wheel. I think the pistol is at best a shooter, and as such is overpriced.

They've always been on the higher end, 1911s and 1911A1s both. All-original WWII era ones being more expensive by a few hundred or more depending on the maker.

I can't remember the last time I saw one "reasonably" priced -- but took mine to a gun show once and was absoultely stunned at how many people wanted to buy it (not to mention, offended by some of the offers! I'm talking less than $300 for it!!)

One that's been messed with THAT much -- wouldn't give over $1,000 for it -- you're gonna have to put some work into it to make it look original again.

It's kind of odd in this collecting hobby... "rare" and "valuable" are miles apart in terms of price and desirability. There were hundreds of thousands of 1911's produced -- but even the most commonly encountered ones are overpriced because everyone wants them. Same with the M1 Garand -- an all original one will always command a premium price, but even the played-with re-done ones are priced insanely high and the craziest part of all -- they often do SELL for those outlandish prices, despite being messed around!

Best bet -- start looking for estate auctions in your area, or run an ad or something...or look for someone who will do a trade / partial trade on one. Otherwise, you'll have to get mightly lucky to find a decent 1911 for a decent price.

Exactly as I feel, Bibliotecario. As I say, the law of diminishing returns on that pistol is too clear, and nobody can un-F that pistol

Insofar as prices go, in MA, the laws end up making these pistols command a premium. No new Colts, and any Colt 1911/1911A1 for purchase must have been here and registered prior to a certain date. I had hoped the 'repro' loophole would save me on the the new Colt WWI model but no dice

But have no fear, that Colt I handled today and I are not going to be getting acquainted any more than we already are

I wouldn't touch the poor thing for less than 1,000. Roger on the M1...I see ones in much worse shape than mine for 1700+, not that mine isn't in good shape. It could be worth 10K, and I still wouldn't part with my M1

That's not bad advice. A 1911 certainly isn't going to come looking for me!


There's another 1911, made in 1917 but apparently with WWII rebuilt parts- arched mainspring housing, pre-WWII non-double diamond wood grips. Finish is nice. Could be a refinish but if so its an old refinish

But that one is 2500. I could trade my A-O 1911A1 and cash for it but honestly at that price, I'd make myself a 1911 expert first. Buying an incorrect rebuilt frankenstein with a refinish for 2.5K would make me physically ill...but it looks so very good

actually, a C&R 1911 should qualify. That's how I got my P.38 after all. Sometimes I forget I have an FFL 03

I agree. We use to say "It's silly to pay little for having nothing". BTW a dyed black holster value is near zero.

Roger that re: black holster.

I want that shop to make its money, but when I think about how much it didn't cost to put together a pretty good WWII pistol belt- holster, belt with first aid pouch and first aid tin, mag pouch, canteen and cover.. I mean, I'm into that thing for about 150 bucks...it just says to me that they are guessing as to value.

There is a way to know how much people want to pay for collectibles: check completed auctions on ebay. You'll have some surprise, specially today that prices for common stuff are lowered a lot. Of course conditions are the main variable so the final price of a complete rig must be considered in accordance.

On one hand you're saying that common items like a pistol belt with pouches and holster are not expensive, but on the other you are saying they are expensive

I'm not following you, and I think you have mis-read my comments.

I have a general idea of what these items are worth, and I have a general idea of what the 1911 pistol in the condition I saw it is is worth

And in my opinion, the pistol for sale that I handled is at least 200 dollars more than the price at which haggling could even begin. As I say, even if the shop figures that blackened holster is worth 200 dollars, they are still asking top dollar for a 'collectible' on which the collectibility has been seriously degraded

That pistol should sell for around 1000 dollars maximum. At the price they are asking, it is too high, even when they toss in the holster, which they seem to think has great value. In my opinion they are guessing at value...I'm not sure what you're trying to say Artu. You seem to be saying that such a high price is acceptable, based on condition, when we have already established condition is less than "fair" on both items

It's not too easy to me to translate in english my italian thinking. I'll try to resume.
- The buffing wheel spoils a gun forever, so 1000$ for a shooter is not worthwhile
- Web gears and holsters today are less expensive than one or more years ago. BTW a couple of years ago I paid 50 good bucks ( 1 euro= 1.20$) for a mint M1936 belt but today I'd be lucky if I could recover 25 low rated (1 euro= 1.5$) bucks reselling it.
- Prices are obviously variable depending on item conditions from "mint" to "poor"

Hi Artu

In general, I agree. However, bear in mind that due to the laws in my State, the only Colt 1911 pistols that can legally be sold here (unless it is a Curio and Relic sale), are weapons that have been here, and registered before a 1998 law change. So this drives the prices of 1911s in this State up, because of a finite and small pool of available pistols for sale. Even a brand new Colt 1911 that duplicates a 1917 produced 1911 in every detail cannot be purchased. Bizarrely, I can purchase a 1911A1 that closely mimics 1943 production, with no problems. The laws don't have to make sense...

But here, 1000 dollars may not be out of line for that pistol- I won't buy it though. It is damaged goods

Curio and Relic 1911s are pricey as well, and the selection is not as easy to see or handle in many cases. However I read three ads for 1911s just today, in superior condition to that one in question, and all were cheaper AND better overall, and available as C&R sales

Luckily, this one that I saw and commented on is so obviously damaged that even me with my basic knowledge knows to stay well away from it!