Fair price for a rearsonalized colt 1911A1?

[mac]

Folks, local gun shop has what they believe is a rearsonalized Colt 1911A1. The slide is a 1911A1, however the serial number for the receiver makes it a 1911 Colt from 1918. Serial number is 469737. The trigger is the only thing that does not look original. they want 1400 but was going to offer 1000. Is 1000 a fair price or is this weapon worth less since it is a GI mixmaster.

Thanks for your help.

Information

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[Duane Hansen]

Does it have Arsenal Stamped initials on it such as AA or SA? If it doesn't, then it is possible that it is just a put together .45 pistol and not worth what the store is asking for it. If it is a legit Arsenal Rebuild and so marked and in excellent condition, it could be worth $800 to $1000.

[mac]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. I will look for the Arsenal Stamp when I go back to look at it. Is it usually located in a certain area or could it be anywhere on the weapon. Thanks again

[lenb]

Depending on the arsenal, the stamps are usually on either side of the reciever, above or behind the trigger area, and should be stamped after the gun was refinished, resulting in a burnished look to the letters. Unfortunately, some arsenal reworks weren't stamped, so that adds a bit of uncertainty as well.

Len

[Scott Gahimer]

The only things that are recognized by all collectors as "collectible" are those pieces that are still original.

$1000 goes a pretty long ways to acquiring an original M1911A1. $1400-1500 might even acquire a really nice original Remington Rand. With that in mind, I'd recommend waiting for an original piece, and just set aside a little more money to do the deal.

Values on rebuilds are very subjective in collector circles. One guy says $700 while another might thing $1200. Values on oriignal pieces are subjective, too, but are typcially more consistent, IMO.

[usoverlord]

Arsenal rebuilds are nice if original and are certainly collectable to some. But it is a niche market and can prove to be very difficult to re-sell depending on maufacturer. Unless it is a US&S or maybe a Colt/Ithaca with a meaningfull ser# ie., 123456 or 333333 or 123321 or 400000 (you get my drift), it's just a reworked shooter. IMHO

[oldcanuck]

Re-arsenaled ????? So that means it been to the Arsenal twice ?????

[INLAND44]

Re-arsenaled ????? So that means it been to the Arsenal twice ?????

Good one!

When you say the trigger may not be original, do mean not USGI-installed? !911 rebuilds can have either the original M1911 (long) trigger or the M1911A1 short trigger. If it has some kind of 'trick' trigger in it and no rebuild marks or DCM purchase paper, $1000 is way high, because you're looking at a $600 'put-together' whether it's legit or not. That's because you have no provenance of a government rebuild, so like others have said, it could just as easily be a home job. Finish can be a key - look for matching finish, although even this is not cast in stone. They would not have refinished a new replacement slide that was factory Parkerized - they would have Parkerized the M1911 frame, and Parkerizing at different times and places usually doesn't exactly match. Photos would really help, even a good description - like of the slide, all markings.