WWII M1911A1 Value, Shoot or Restore

[GolfBravoUSMC]

A person I know was transporting two pistols to the Police to turn in for destruction. We discussed them and I offered to purchase them if they had any value. I wanted to clean them up and possibly test fire them if appropriate. The Baretta turned out to be a 1915 in poor shape. (Paper weight)

The Colt was a different story. The weapon had belonged to his Uncle, a WWII Veteran. The Colt had not been fired in more than 30 years and in fact was coated in cosmoline.

The weapon cleaned up quite nicely with no pits or problems with the barrel.

I took it to the range and put 25 rounds through it. I lost track of 6 rounds, they probably went through the hole in the middle of a tight group.

Here are some facts I've been trying to research on the web:

"P" near Mag release
"S" Field Service Stamp by Disconnector
"RS"& "G" on top rear of Receiver
Hammer Type 4 Wide Spur
Checkered Mainspring Housing
* The Bad *
Barrel not Original? Blued with no marks on lugs only small mark on top
Walnut Grips Right Springfield, Left Remmington
Ugh!!! Serial Number on Receiver (ends in 3) and Slide (ends in 2)

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[GolfBravoUSMC]

I have posted a complete gallery of pics on Photobucket. you can view them here Notice the Mags came loaded with 1942 Western Cartridge Company Ammo.

[WarPig1976]

A person I know was transporting two pistols to the Police to turn in for destruction.

....

Refinish.?...
Shoot.?....
Value.?.......$1200ish

[browningautorifle]

NO...If he was taking the pistol for destruction he doesn't want it. You pay as little as possible. Not $1200... Start painfully low as he DIDN'T want it and was going to give it away. Then you have a good example of 1911 A1.

[GolfBravoUSMC]

That's the same conclusion I came last week to so I offered him $400 and he accepted. I thought I was buying a very interesting shooting pistol. I carried the same sidearm in the Marines and my father who was a 60MM Mortarman carried one from Normandy D plus 30 to the Elbe.

Just think this piece of history could have ended melted down into a manhole cover.

---------- Post added at 10:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 AM ----------

I think I solved the barrel mystery. See info Here

Could it be:

A. Colt used some older parts in assembly during the early days of the war?
B. The barrel was replaced with a barrel from a earlier lot (Pre Ser No 710,000)?
C. G.I.s got them mixed up in the barracks during cleaning sessions?

I'm voting for A.

[WarPig1976]

Oh no, what I was saying is its approximate value, not what to pay for it.
$400.00.!!! You stole it. Hahaha the guy deserved it...

[Johnny Peppers]

The P near the mag release is the indication the pistol was "proofed" with a cartridge loaded hotter than standard military ammo. There should also be a P in front of the rear sight. If the barrel has a common leg HP, the P indicates proofing of the barrel.

I can't see an S near the disconnector in your photo. It does appear that there is a light strike of the boxed RS there. If so the S is just part of the RS.

The RS on top of the receiver is the provisional inspection mark. The G indicates Government Contract.

Not unusual to see early Colt 1911A1 pistols with slide just a few numbers off. Probably happened during cleaning as military personnel probably not aware of slides being numbered.

Hammer appears correct.

Mainspring housing appears correct.

If barrel has a common leg HP, it is incorrect. Barrel should have COLT .45 AUTO over left lug, small G ahead of lug, and P on left side of lug. No markings on top of chamber.

Right grip is not Springfield. Appears to be late 1911 Colt 13 row. Left grip is earlier Colt 14/15 row.

[browningautorifle]

I offered him $400 and he accepted

Well done that. Not a rip-off at all, it could have been lost forever.

[GolfBravoUSMC]

Thanks for the great info JP. I'll double check all your points when I get the weapon back next Wednesday. It's currently at the Gun Store waiting my 10 day background check for a weapons transfer. I have purchased a modern diamond style Walnut Grip set and a complete Wolfe Spring kit which I will install for cosmetic and functional reasons. At this point I would like to put a few rounds through the pistol once in a while as a special treat to myself.

I still have no idea as to the value of the weapon given the mismatched serial numbers and barrel issue. Would it make any sense to buy a set of WWII era plastic grips for $125.

[GolfBravoUSMC]

Probably not of any value but is there any interest in the 1942 Western Cartridge Company ammo that came loaded in the mags when I acquired the weapon?