Colt m1911 Russian Contract ?

[SilverVeteran]

The historical value of the find is going to be far less than the real value of the gun. Historical value will be for the family it belonged to or the reason for it being hidden, etc.

It might be worth your while to contact dealers who will ship it to the USA for the best price. I suspect that there are challenges where you are to dispose of the gun?

You definitely got that right ! Historic value is massive. This gun belonged to my wife´s grandfather. There is no documentation between the period 1916-1940, but on 4th july 1940 grandfather bought (there is a receipt, sale price was 100mk = 20$) this gun from the Finnish White Guards. 1945, after Finland lost war against Russia, it was hidden under the floor boards and remained there for 7 decades.

Since the gun has verified history all the way to 1940 (and also the period 1916-1940 is quite easily figured out) it was not too bad to get legal permit to hold on to it. Firing is prohibited though...