Arsenal rebuilds -- are they as valuable for collector...

[deadmarsh]

Are they perceived as a good investment, or have the true collectors shunned these in favor of an untouched item?

What discount should a fellow allow for a rebuild versus the original?


Thanks:


Dead


PS: I'm asking this as I got in a discussion with a customer. I said a good rebuild is just fine for a collector if he wants a 1911 or 1911A1 -- personally, I like their history even more than worn originals -- they've seen some use be it field or training...

[bgiven]

As far as an investment.... arsenal rebuilds will probably never appreciate as fast as a good condition original. Yes, they have some collectibility..... IMO they are entry level pieces, that are purchsed in the pursuit of originals. I have one in my collection, and I will never sell it. It was the gun that started all this madness...!! They certainly have historical value.... but let's face it, we are all hunting that/another 99% original that we need for our collection.

[exitwounds]

IMO, A legitimate Arsenal/Depot rebuild is the next best thing to an all original USGI pistol. I feel that the arsenal rebuilt guns are great collectibles. Especially, when I find a WWI pistol that has been rebuilt for WW2, to me that is a pistol that likely has alot of history or seen it unfold. Rebuilds are less expensive then the originals, and likely always will be. For example a 1915 Springfield Armory 1911 in original condition could run you $3k or more, but same pistol rebuilt by a arsenal/depot often sells for about $1,500 - $2k,and IMO its still original since it is the way it was when used by the military to serve our Country. So my answer is YES they are collectible.

[deadmarsh]

You guys are mirroring about what I was telling my customer -- a good way to proceed into the collectible arena, and one that has a better than average chance to increase in value maybe even faster than the original non-arsenaled market; I believe they are lagging behind slightly in the mad dash of increased prices for WWI/WWII military sidearms...

More comments gentlemen; keep them coming as I always learn something from you guys -- I fix 'em, but don't know the minutia about markings, history etc. -- you'd think for a guy that carried one for over a year in southeast Asia that he could even remember what was holstered to his webbing... :D


Dead