1911 WW1 - Help to price

Hi All,

i beleive this is a gem but I defer to those that are much more knowledgeable that i am. This is a pistol that is in our local shop that is being placed for sale by an elderly gentleman. It was given to him by his Dad in the 50's after he bought it in around 1939 from a WW1 vet. It comes with all the webgear holster and mags etc...they are two tone if that matters... please see the pics and if you can give your impressions/value that would be great:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175141-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175126-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175122-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175114-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175103-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175052-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175048-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_175043-1.jpg

$3500+ on GunBroker

Is that rust and pitting on the slide? If so that really takes the value down quite a bit.

A hands on inspection by a qualified person would be a must before knowing for sure on the value of your 1911. It looks like it could be all correct but we don't know if it's original or not. The pictures look like possibly some light surface rust has started on the slide too. If it is all correct and original, I would think that it might bring as much as $1300 to $1500 but then again a "hands on" would be necessary to know for sure. Can you show us a picture of the top of the barrel, through the ejection port too.

If you put it on one of the larger gun auction sights, it will go for whatever someone is willing to pay......Profound...huh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJS57

$3500+ on GunBroker

---

You seem to be throwing out some pretty high numbers on this and other Forums in the last couple days. I think that I would like to have you bidding on some of my guns.......

Actually, I am Gun Dealer on GunBroker and other sites and papers for over 25 years. I started collecting Colt prewar 1911 types back then under the personal guidance of Karl K. (and others). I have sold 100's of prewar Colt 1911's and Gov't models on the open market over those years and placed guns in many important collections including the Colt Historian and Scott G. himself. So I speak from some experience. I have noticed that the prices I see quoted on many internet forums are often the lowest price anyone would hope to purchase that gun for at a local shop, sold by a non-internet savvy dealer. Not the highest prices that I myself get with properly advertised and photographed guns sold on the national market. I have many reference guns and auctions to document these results. If allowed by the moderators, I will gladly add some links to my current and past auctions! Over the last several years the prices realized for Pre-war Colt Military pistols has escalated wildly upward! If a person is not involved with pricing on a daily basis it is not easy to keep up with it. My price quotations are what I believe that gun would sell for if I promoted and sold it myself right now. Your results are apparently lower.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJS57

Your results are apparently lower.

---

We're just not in the habit of giving "Visions of sugar plums" to people. Get your check book out and back up your prices...

You both don't get it. Try reading my post before you write yours! I don't BUY at those prices! I SELL at those prices! I will gladly back up my sales prices WITH PERMISSION OF THE MODERATORS! I know these guns cost so much that some folks can't afford them now! And it makes them angry and they don't want to face the reality of current INTERNET prices. You back up your prices with links or documents. You can't because those old low prices don't exist anymore.

Moderators, please delete this post if it breaks the rules! Example: I have a horrible 1911 Military, an over buffed reblue, a gun typically valued on the forums as a $500 shooter grade tops. Oh, it is already at $900 and climbing.............

Here is an another example, a 1911 serial 102,xxx that I sold on the internet in June 2012. Slide had near zero blue. It sold for over $2800! I can give example after example, where are yours?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8c0f04cf-1.jpg

Ok one more, a Colt 1911-A1 in the 800,000 range. Reblued to high polish, wrong unnumbered slide, wrong barrel, wrong parts and Belgium proofs. Gun forum value estimates were around $600. Sold on the internet in March 2012 for $1300.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ee92f527-1.jpg

Here is proof on the 1911 pistol pictured above the 1911-A1: Congratulations! You have won item #291092937 at GunBroker.com. You may wish to print or save this notice for future reference. You have won the following:


Item Title: Colt 1911 45 US Property WWI Original from 1914
Item Number: 291092937
SKU:
Ending Date: 06/20/2012 22:23:23
Quantity Won: 1
Winning Bid: $2,825.99 (per item)

Because CJS57 mentioned selling me some pieces over the years, and how things have appreciated in value, I thought I'd share a couple images of one pistol I purchased from him a few years ago. I think he treated me very fairly at the time, but even so, I'd wager to say the value on this pistol is probably at least twice what I paid when I purchased it. I generally prefer to purchase nice military pistols, but rarely ever turn down a commercial with this kind of condition. No, I won't disclose what I paid, and it isn't for sale. Just an example I believe shows what the market has done on nice, original pieces in the last 3-5 years. I just sent for a letter on this, and several other Colts. Hopefully, I'll get a good hit from the archives on this one. One thing for sure; whoever purchased it in 1917 didn't buy it to use as a carry gun or shooter. :)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../28sy4j6-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../2ccp5r8-1.jpg

Scott, You really know how to hurt a guy by showing that picture! But I am very glad you got it! Thanks, Chris

If it's any consolation, just think how many times you've been able to turn that money over since I purchased it. :) BTW, the images weren't intended to inflict pain... :)

Actually I re-invested in this one! So I don't feel too bad!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7c6e0be7-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a26dc0b7-1.jpg

Hi Fellas,

Thanks for all the info....

The story continues as follows....I was able to grab all the original holsters etc....mag carrier and belt....the gun was a person sidearm of a Sgt Naholnick in WWI....given to his son before he died and his son sold it to the father ( back in the 40's??) of the gentlemen that is selling it now......

From what I can tell all the markings are correct as well as the marks in the barrel at the hood...

The ONLY thing that does not look right is the rear sight....