M1911 Valuation Question

Is there any real collector value to a M1911 (1918 Colt) with no finish left on it? I have one that someone has taken steel wool/sandpaper to what I can only assume was surface rust and removed the finish. Gun appears to be all correct M1911 parts except the barrel (WW II). I use the piece as a shooter. The pistol was found in a secret compartment in an old desk (wish it could tell us where and why). Thinking of either parkerizing it or rebluing it. Park is a much cheaper way to go as it is free.

Once the finish was altered outside the military, it lost all the real collector interest IMO. I think you are fine to refinish and shoot it. A good parkerizing job is durable. A quality restoration blue might make the pistol look more original, but a close examination will always reveal it's refinished. If your plan is to use the pistol, I'd go with the parked finish and not worry about it. I'd rather see one refinished ith parkerizing...it looks more like a military rebuild that way. If the blueing and prep work isn't done right, it stands out like a sore thumb. Why pay for that?

Value? All military M1911 and M1911A1 pistols have value these days. Even ratty examples command more than many nice original modern pieces...$500-700.

What ever you do I would consult with chuckindenver (who post on this site) first, and then let him refinish it. He does outstanding work

My sad story is a Colt 1914 where the finish is 1 square inch of perfect original finish, followed by 1 square inch of bright metal. The whole pistol is like that, and it drives me nuts as to how that could happen. I doubt holster wear.