Help with an ancient 1911!

[95wrangler]

I have a colt govt model 1911 built in 1918 and took it to get it appraised. they said that it was not the original barrel and bushing. first ? is how much does that affect value? second is how hard would it be to find a barrel from that era if it was worth the trouble. I asked them if I should put it away or shoot it and they replied shoot it. I have always been one to use what I have butI inherited it from my dad and will keep it to hand down in the family. Now I know its not in mint condition but its pretty good IMO, and I will shoot it every now and then until I get another 1911. What do yall think?

 

[Dargasonus]

Would definitely effect the price to someone who wanted one for a collection. But I wouldn't imagine value would matter much for a heirloom item. I would leave it in the condition it was passed down to me in personally.

 

[Hondo]

Just like '03 Springfileds, Garands and M1 Carbines, if the 1911 was in service for a long time, they were rearmored with "non matching" parts just like the rifles were...it is not unusual to have parts from different manufactures on the same pistol. If you have the history on the gun that is important ie: my grandfather had it at the battle of the bulge etc.


Just as a side note, this is one issue that the Military has wtih the Barettas...they do not work well in the rearmoring process...per Larry Vickers at his 1911 class.

 

[jeremy]

Just as a side note, this is one issue that the Military has wtih the Barettas...they do not work well in the rearmoring process...per Larry Vickers at his 1911 class.

Larry is wrong...

There is no problem at all with the M-9 in the Armorers Shops...

 

[95wrangler]

No back story. My mom bought it for my dad umteen million yrs ago (Im sure!) and Im sure neither one realized how old it was. I do remember a story that my dad had a new bushing installed and shot only a couple rounds out of it but who knows. My mom doesnt remember and my dad has passed. My brother put some rounds thru it as have I. That was before I got it appraised. Even with a replacement barrel and bushing I was amazed at the value. Just wondered if it was worth finding an era correct barrel but it sounds not.

 

[wtfd661]

I would be hesitant to shoot it if it was mine. I would be concerned about cracking the frame or causing other damage to it. Here is a link to 1911forum.com concerning shooting older 1911's.

To shoot or not to shoot, the dilemma facing owners of collector-grade pistols - 1911Forum

 

[95wrangler]

Thanks. I can see that point of view and have considered that. Just wasnt sure how much more value would be lost if something did break. Maybe Ill just put it up. Ive also considered, since it is not a long family heirloom < of just selling or trading for a shooter. I have a hard time with that thinking because it so damn cool to have a colt 1911 thats almost 100!


I love this feedback and opinions! keep it coming! Is there anyone here located on the east side of Indy that can give me an appraisal other than just looking in the book? Someone that specializes in 1911 and can appreciate an oldie but a goodie?

 

[ghitch75]

post pic's of it.....all sides top and bottom...does it have arsenal marks?...many of these where took apart at arsenals with slides, barrels and frames in piles and the smith's didn't match them up....they grabbed what ever was at hand and slapped them together..... ..hard to tell anything without pic's.....

 

[95wrangler]

Ill post some tonight when I get home. Thanks.

 

[jeremy]

I would be hesitant to shoot it if it was mine. I would be concerned about cracking the frame or causing other damage to it. Here is a link to 1911forum.com concerning shooting older 1911's.

And you could have the exact same problems with a New Firearm as well. Guns were made to be shot. Mechanical parts wear out, so replace them and inspect the Pistol when you clean it. If this was a GI M1911 it has had numerous parts replaced in it over its life in the System...

 

[indyjohn]

My personal gun rule #3: DO NOT SELL THAT WHICH HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN TO YOU.

 

[95wrangler]

didnt have time to upload pics to my computer last night, sorry. I will do it tonight.
indyjohn, thats where i have probs. I am a firm believer in if you have it, use it. I would love to shoot this every once in a while but if its one of those put it away guns, why have it to begin with.

 

[jeremy]

didnt have time to upload pics to my computer last night, sorry. I will do it tonight.
indyjohn, thats where i have probs. I am a firm believer in if you have it, use it. I would love to shoot this every once in a while but if its one of those put it away guns, why have it to begin with.

I have 2 Rifles that are Heirlooms that I learned to shoot on. 1 is a 1861 3 band Springfield the Other is an 1852 Double Barrel 32. Both seen action in the Civil War. We shoot them every Year and will continue to do so as Cousins, Nieces, and Nephews want to learn the Family History. Since they will not be sold outside the Family we keep them Maintained and Serviceable...

 

[Bummer]

FWIW - If I had an essentially antique 1911, I'd get a really nice wooden box with a glass front, print out a black & white pic of WWI military action for the background, mount the thing nicely, and hang it on the wall. Perhaps take it out occasionally to shoot it, then clean it and put it back. Nobody looking at it is going to know it's not all original.

Of course I already have a Colt Combat Elite to shoot and a Wilson Combat that I'm building, so I can afford to treat one as art. I also don't like to sell stuff. If I have it, and it's paid for, why sell it? I'll let the wife or kids worry about that once I'm taking the dirt nap. Of course everyone's different, so your mileage may vary.

 

[95wrangler]

apparently I can not attach pics cause im new. ok I got them loaded in my profile, its all I could get. Looking at it I wonder if the slide has been replaced also because the bluing is so much better than the frame.

 

[indyjohn]

apparently I can not attach pics cause im new. ok I got them loaded in my profile, its all I could get. Looking at it I wonder if the slide has been replaced also because the bluing is so much better than the frame.

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

It's free. Don't be put off by the wild colors. It's very easy to push pictures on your computer up to the site for storage. Then look for the "direct link" button; come back here and reply to thread, click on the globe with the chain link and right click then select paste. Your pics will be here for all to enjoy...

(Oh. Sorry. Switched into work mode there. Carry on).

Edit: There's a minimum post count to attach pics? I better go look up the FAQ....

 

[95wrangler]

thats what im assuming. the box at the bottom left of the page says I can not post attachments. It doesnt help that Im not that computer litterate. I barely figured out how to get them to my profile. Luckily my wife was sitting next to me! By the time I got them there, I was done messing around with it!

 

[Phil502]

Nice pistol. Looks real good.

 

[451_Detonics]

Personally if it were mine and a family gun that would passed down it would be sent to Turnbull for a restoration (not a reblue) and would be shot and carried as a BBQ gun. It will last many generations that way and be a beautiful gun.

 

[ghitch75]

the frame is 1918 the slide is 1918.....slide is a Commercial/Military and was made from May to June 1918...the barrel is the right year to of 1918...stocks are right 15 rows between diamond's......can't tell from the pic's on finer points of hammer and other parts....but i'm 90% sure it's a 1918 Colt......would know more if pic's where better....very nice piece you have there.....don't sell it pass it to your kids and if you goin' to shoot it keep them at 800fps and lower as this old birds have pretty soft steel and where not heat treated....