WWI Springfield 1911

[Pulicords]

A couple years ago I enherited a Springfield Armory 1911 (Serial 102xxx) from my late father. He bought it from a doctor who lived across the street from him in the '50s and had carried it in WWI. I did some reseach and verified that the pistol was issued in 1917, but the arsenal's detailed records were destroyed in a fire. I obtained some info on the doctor and verified that he was a Lt assigned to the Medical Corps at a "base hospital." The pistol's finish is pretty brown and has minor scrapes, but no major pits or rust. The stocks are a little beat up, but the pistol is overall in very good + condition. Should I consider having the piece reconditioned or keep it as is?

[pa_guns]

Hi

Welcome to the group !!!!

One thing you will find here - we are crazy about pictures. They make questions like yours a lot easier to answer. If at all possible post some of your pistol.

What to do with a pistol like this is entirely up to you. No matter what, it should be cleaned and oiled occasionally. That will allow it to be stored in a way that it does not self destruct over time.

Restoration is one of those things that people get passionate about. Either you like the idea or you don't. I understand the argument that the unrestored piece is the "original" and anything else is "fake". I also understand that any good painting over about 150 years old is a "fake" by that definition.

What do you plan to do with the pistol? If you decide to shoot it then I would check it over pretty carefully. If you are going to sell it, then restoration probably is not worth the money. If you intend to keep it and pass it on then a *good* restoration makes a lot of sense. A poorly done restoration is a crime no matter what.

Bob

[John]

:fp:

[pa_guns]

Hi

Why what a surprise ...

Bob

[OD*]

Bob and John are correct, pictures would help.

#102XXX puts it at 1915. One of the collectors like Exitwounds or Doran will be along shortly, I think they both have the big Clawson book on USGI pistols that contains better shipping records than my small one.

[Hawkmoon]

Restoration always reduces value, unless the gun is already a parts gun. I was just looking through the Gun Digest book of gun values. They don't rate on percentage, like the Blue Book. They use Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor ... poor being unsafe to fire, parts only.

For just about every pistol they include a footnote that "reblued = fair/poor"

[Doran]

Original condition Springfields are uncommon and refinishing will reduce the value. You might find something about your pistol on the internet at Springfield Research Service. They have a database of pistol records from places like the National Archives. You might get lucky with your serial number.

[exitwounds]

Unfortunately Clawson's Big Book does not cover the Springfield's, likely because of the fire you spoke of. You can visit www.coolgunsite.com and view the 1911 gallery and ID pages to see pictures and details specific to your pistol. An original SA pistol is very desirable, and lately some originals in 85% + have sold for $4k and up. Refinishing the pistol will reduce it's Collector value and dollar value as well. As Doran suggested you might try your serial number in the SRS database, and only a direct hit would be relevant to the pistol, their site is: http://www.armscollectors.com/srs.htm There are currently two SA pistols for sale on http://www.model1911a1.com/ , keep in mind the prices are the "asking" price, and does not necessarily mean the pistols will sell for that, but it may give you an idea of value for the condition if they do sell. There are many specific details, and features specific to the SA pistols and good pictures would be helpful in determining the originality and condition of your pistol.

[pa_guns]

Hi

I'm still unclear on what the original poster's intentions are here. Are we talking about a sale of the pistol or something else?

Bob

[bgiven]

3 important things....

1. It's only original once.
2. It's a Springfield.
3. It's only original once.

IMO restoration is for old cars.....this is history your'e dealing with now.

[OD*]

Hi

I'm still unclear on what the original poster's intentions are here. Are we talking about a sale of the pistol or something else?

Bob
I believe he is just asking if he should have a restoration preformed, or leave it as is.

[pa_guns]

I believe he is just asking if he should have a restoration preformed, or leave it as is.

Hi

Three possibilities:

1) I want to maximize it's value to sell now

2) I want to take it out and shoot it

3) It stays in the family for the next 100 years

To me the answer is a little different depending on what you want to do. What you and I would do may be different than what he intends to do.

Bob

[OD*]

You got all of that from this?
Should I consider having the piece reconditioned or keep it as is?
:confused:

I suppose we could derive all sorts of ulterior motives if we tried.

[exitwounds]

If it is all original, leave it be. If it is an arsenal/depot rebuild with correct markings, leave it be. If it is a parts pistol, I would be inclined to leave it be. Original only happens once. Personally I would preserve the condition that currently exists, and leave it alone with it's history, especially since it is one of the rarer variations of M1911's. It's value in it's original condition is only going to go up with time.

[Pulicords]

I'm not interested in selling or shooting the gun, more hanging on to it for historical value. I did some investigation and bought a book on ebay "Fighting Men of Illinois" (1918). It's like a year book with several thousand photos and brief bios on soldiers and sailors from that state who served in WWI. My dad's neighbor who was issued the pistol- Lt. Louis Savitsky (MD) is depicted along with info that he served in the Medical Corps on a "base hospital."

I've got photos now, but I'm new to this and could use some advice on how to post them. Maybe someone could send me a private message and help out?

[Pulicords]

Here's some pics of the 1911 and the Lt/MD who carried it. I love the history behind the piece, but still think that restoring it to it's previous condition would enhance my feeling about the pistol. I just like good looking (clean) guns.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u34/Pulicords/Lt.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u34/Pulicords/Photos021907010.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u34/Pulicords/Photos021907012.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u34/Pulicords/Photos021907013.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u34/Pulicords/Photos021907015.jpg

[bigwagon]

I think it would be a big mistake to alter than pistol in any way.

[Doran]

I would definitely leave that one alone. It's in much better condition than usually seen outside a private collection. I don't normally price pistols but I would say that one would bring thousands of dollars if all the parts are original, one third to one fourth of that if you refinish it.

[exitwounds]

If the pistol were refinished it would go from treasure to trash IMO.

[Pulicords]

I'll probably just keep it the way it is. Thanks for the advice and I hope you enjoy the pics!

[pa_guns]

Hi

Keep it clean and oiled.

Bob