Which 1911A1 is the best investment?

[dwaine99]

Which one is the best investment? A original 95% late Remington Rand or a pieced together and refinished US&S with correct parts?

[Hunter]

I would think the original Remington Rand would be worth more than a pieced together and refinished US&S even if all the parts are correct. Refinishing will detract from value.

[Johnny Peppers]

An investment is something you put your money into with hopes of a nice return on your investment. If you are purchasing for an investment, always go with the correct and original pieces, and buy the best condition you can find. I never purchased any firearm as an investment, but I always preserved the high condition examples as if they were an investment, and they have quietly become investments.

[bgiven]

Buy them both.....the Rand will take care of it self, and the USS will probably do the same, just because of the scarcity..... Case in point.... look what has happened with arsenal rebuilds in the last year....

New money is being made every day......

[exitwounds]

The RR is certainly more desirable to most, and would likely fetch a higher price. However, if the US&S could be obtained at the right price it to could be desirable, and even parted out bringing a higher return. As an investment the correct/original pistol (the RR) would the way to go, but would likely be a safe queen to get the most out of your return.

[Phil]

An investment is something you put your money into with hopes of a nice return on your investment. If you are purchasing for an investment, always go with the correct and original pieces, and buy the best condition you can find. I never purchased any firearm as an investment, but I always preserved the high condition examples as if they were an investment, and they have quietly become investments.Johnny, I saw some refinished guns listed for sale by Doug Turnbull recently and, of course, they look gorgeous. I'm getting the war gun itch and have been debating whether to get a gun in original condition or a "pretty" gun.

I looked through the older posts on the forum and came across this one. The original post that started this thread referred to a decision between an original and a refinished parts gun.

But I presume that you would have the same advice regarding an true original and an original that had undergone a high quality refinish. Is that correct?

[Johnny Peppers]

Phil,
That is correct. No matter what the cost of the refinish, it will never be worth what an original specimen in similar condition will. Turnbull occasionally has refinished firearms on his site, and virtually all are priced as high or higher than original finish firearms. A refinish will always have zero original finish.
As an investment always buy the best you can find, and don't use them as a shooter. The market is full of shooters, but a true investment quality firearm comes along only occasionally. Just look at what the blued 1911A1 pistols have done in the market. The first one I bought was some 25 years ago, and I gave $300 for it because no one else in the small show thought it was worth that. Today it would easily bring 10 times or more the original purchase price.

[Phil]

Phil,
That is correct. No matter what the cost of the refinish, it will never be worth what an original specimen in similar condition will. Turnbull occasionally has refinished firearms on his site, and virtually all are priced as high or higher than original finish firearms. A refinish will always have zero original finish.
As an investment always buy the best you can find, and don't use them as a shooter. The market is full of shooters, but a true investment quality firearm comes along only occasionally. Just look at what the blued 1911A1 pistols have done in the market. The first one I bought was some 25 years ago, and I gave $300 for it because no one else in the small show thought it was worth that. Today it would easily bring 10 times or more the original purchase price.Thanks Johnny. I suspected that would be your advice, They're just so pretty when they look all new again :)

When I make the investment, I'll never shoot them - I'd just like to own both an original 1911 and an A1 and just keep 'em as a part of history.

[ACMERAVEN]

I own a US&S 45 that was issued on the LC USS HELENA and never fired or carried in a holster. It was issued to a yeoman who kept it in an oiled rag in a briefcase. He left the ship for OCS and carried the same briefcase with pistol in it as on officer during his tour of duty during the Korean War. It is in the SN range right at the start of the second production run. I am having a devil of a time trying to figure out what it's value is. It is probably as close to a 100% piece as it is possible to obtain. Any help would be appreciated.

[Mark Hitchcock]

A very nice US&S just sold on Gun Broker or Auction Arms for $4K. Jack the Dog had it listed. I think there were like 70 bids. Made me feel real good about the one I have.