Value WWII vintage M1911A1

[NyteOwl]

I inherited my father's Colt M1911A1 Ser#736xxx (last year in the patent list is 1913) which makes it 1941 manufacture.

As near as I can tell it is complete, all original matching parts with the exception of the grips which were replaced in the field with home-made wood grips as the plastic ones broke (this was a field sidearm in Korea). The serial number on the slide is the same as the frame. The underside of the barrel is marked with a small "G" just in front of the link. The side of the chamber portion is marked "Colt 45 Auto". Finish is parkerized though the grip screws and barrel seem to be blued. Has the "R.S." in a square inspection stamp for Colonel Robert Sears on the left side of the Frame.

Other than a tiny bit of rust pitting at the edge of the ramp/chamber (it chambers and ejects without problem) and finish wear on the front half of the barrel it appears to be in good condition. The lands are clean and shiny.

I was wondering what it might be worth? (I have a set of original USGI hollow back grips of the correct type/age in transit to replace the old wooden ones.)

M1911A1 Pics

Information

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[Duane Hansen]

Condition is everything. I think that if you showed us some pictures, we could probably get pretty close on a value for you.

[NyteOwl]

Pics in the link at the bottom of the post.

[NyteOwl]

Additional pics with proper grips installed.

M1911A1 Pics link

[Duane Hansen]

I would say that with the present condition considered it would probably be worth somewhere between $1000 and $1400. The RS inspected Colts are quite desirable and are reletively hard to find, so it's possible that someone may give you a little more. If you are serious about selling it, put it on the auction block and see what the market will bare. I use Auction Arms or Gunbroker.

[NyteOwl]

Hmm, I just found out you can't export former US military firearms back into the US. Bummer!