44,xxx Colt 1911

[Wyo96]

A friend has a 1911, sn 44,xxx. It has 60-80% blueing left. It also has a rear sight that is in a half circle shape. I don't know anything about 1911s. Any thoughts on how much it's worth based on that brief (and all I know about the pistol) description?

Information

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[Jim K]

Is it a real Model 1911 made by Colt, or are you using the generic term "1911" for a similar gun? If the gun is as you say, it could bring around $2000, but a better description and some pictures would help. The round sight is correct for a Model 1911; the squared off sight was one of the changes on the Model 1911A1.

Jim

[Rob Greer]

Yes - the round rear sight is correct for a Colt 1911 in that serial range... but the change to a plat top rear sight happened before the 1911-A1 transition that occured in 1924. In 1913, the flat top rear sight was approved, and they started to show up on pistols in the 60,000 to 62,000 range in late 1913 to early 1914. So, there are plenty of early 1911's that have a correct flat to rear sight.

[badabing]

It would be nice to know the full serial number. If it's No. 44000 it's part of a shipment to the USS Texas according to Clawson's book. If it is 44001 or later then it went to the Army. The rounded rear sight is correct up into the early 60000 range. The Army felt that the flat top sight gave a better, level sight picture.

[Wyo96]

It is a 1911. I can't remember the exact SN, but it is above 44,000. You're right about the rounded vs flat sight...the rounded sight wasn't very easy to get a good sight picture with.