Old 1920-21 1911? Value

[Plate plinker]

159272I have a opportunity to buy this old gun what do you think it is worth?
No blueing left on slide Maybe 20-30% on frame no major pitting but some blemishes. Opened it up and it doesn't look to be fired a lot but definitely has seen some usage. Not a military gun either. Not loose as a goose but it is not super tight like a new 1911 can be, which I figure is normal for the old guns from back then. I noticed when I had the slide of the barrel moves front to back ever so little in the frame but the lugs did not appear battered. Also assume this may have been the norm 95 years ago? Safety snaps nice, and slide moves nicely too.

159287

Thanks Dave

[rockrat]

Gotta tell us more about it. Condition?

[daniel lawecki]

First of all do you like the gun? If so and in good condition and you can afford it why ask us.

[Plate plinker]

Its a nice piece of history I would say. Yes I can surely afford it but I have no idea of the value. I am not a collector of oldies but a shooter of new stuff. Its just cool.

[Wolfer]

I'm quite fond of those old guns. I always considered them worth whatever I was willing to pay for them.

Sadly most of the time someone else is willing to pay more than me.

[dubber123]

I am not an old Colt expert by any stretch, but if you can get it for $1,000 I am betting you got a good deal. Colt stuff is going for stupid money right now, and a 1920 commercial in good shape isn't one of the worst ones to latch onto.

[ShooterAZ]

I sold an all original 1916 US Property marked one for $3500 a few years back...it was probably in 75% condition. The point is...they are worth what someone will pay if they want it bad enough.

[Blanket]

by the way 1911 colts of that era usually shoot very, very good

[slim1836]

by the way 1911 colts of that era usually shoot very, very good

My 1911 45 ACP was made in 1917, bought in the late 60's out of a washtub full of them for $29.95 at a local hardware store. I wish I bought the whole tub full. It shoots very well, better than I can see.

Value? Priceless.

Slim

[jsizemore]

numbers match?

[Plate plinker]

Yes numbers match slide to frame

[10-x]

Have you bought it yet?

[frkelly74]

I think you just put this up to tease us, Right? Seriously, buy it if it seems at all reasonably priced to you.

[bedbugbilly]

You might want to post over on the Colt Forum as well . . . . .

[reddog81]

What's the asking price? It's probably easier to gauge if a price is reasonable rather than tell an exact value. Is everything original? Barrel, trigger, etc.

I'd have a hard time paying over $1,000 for something in that condition but $1,500 or more might reasonable if someone is looking for a post WW1 but pre 1911A1 and everything else about the gun checks out.

[DougGuy]

Colt Commercial in that condition is worth about $1200 ~ $1500 fair value. Considering you could easily double that amount parting it out as all the parts are original and period correct, where do you draw a line on it's actual value? There is more to consider than JUST the blue book of gun values.

If I could get into that for less than $1500 I would not bat an eye. I am (gut feel) guessing you can get it for $1k or considerably less?

I have seen just uppers in that condition, US marked, fetch over $950.00 I have seen 1911 frames stripped bare fetch over $1500.00

Parted out that gun would fetch $2700.00 quite easily.

[Plate plinker]

Thanks Doug Guy this is a C unit from 1921-22 the owner was wrong about the age. The owner wants to buy a 22. pistol with the money.

[DougGuy]

I should have added that I wouldn't even begin to consider parting it out, because it's matching numbers, but I was using that aspect to illustrate the value of the gun from the parted out angle.

[Plate plinker]

Seems it would be a sin to part it out. Had a gun shop guy suggest reblueing it and that too seems sinful to me. He mentioned he had blueing tanks in the back to do it with a gunsmith that works there. Blah blah ......

[Outpost75]

I would not reblue it.

[Butchman205]

Seems it would be a sin to part it out. Had a gun shop guy suggest reblueing it and that too seems sinful to me. He mentioned he had blueing tanks in the back to do it with a gunsmith that works there. Blah blah ......

I'm always a tad skeptical of someone giving advice that would make them a buck...like "sure I'd reblue it if I were you...did I mention we do that for a small fee?"

I'd leave it like it is. Since it's yours, and if (big if) you'd rather make it look new again...go for it and don't look back. But I would think that would lower its resale value.

(Did I mention that is a VERY cool pistol?!?)

[dpunch]

I have a 1911 arsenal refinished built in 1917. It shoots great. I didn't pay a whole lot for it and still shoot it once in a great while. I didn't know they were getting that much for the old Colts.

[Bad Water Bill]

I bought my 1911 from a friend around 1962-4.He said he purchased her from the DCM and when I checked the serial # it said made in 1913.

Did I ever check to see if all parts were original,of course not.

Any firearm that survived WW1,then misc conflicts,WW2 and Korea not to mention the DCM inspection before being put up for sale almost certainly had some if not many parts exchanged.

Do I really care?

She still shoots anything I feed her without a complaint and better than me.

Yes her looks say "BEEN THERE DONE THAT" just like Mr Browning designed her to do.

Is she available "only from my cold dead hands" just because of my great memories with the dependable old girl.

[wv109323]

Value depends if all parts are original. I would spend some time on 1911.com. They have a section on old 1911's. Do not re blue it.
Don't get it for a shooter. The old ones did not have heat treated slides and were prone to crack.