2 WWI pistols

[bigredc]

A good friends father just pased away. I have a chance to get the grandfathers pistols # 168xxx and 314xxx. useing the standard catalog of Military Firearms one is exc. it says $3800 the other is very good $2500. Do these figures sound accurate

[RickB]

It all depends on how "excellent" and "very good" they really are. Apparent originality is as important as condition, when determining value. A gun that is not only in excellent condition, but appears to have all the correct parts and finishes for its production period are worth a lot more than those that have replacement parts or refinishing.

[bigredc]

These guns went from action in WWI came home, got passed on to the son, now me. the screws on the grips on one are a little buggered. I just joined, I'll post pictures as soon as figure out how. I think they are all origanal. The guns are mine to buy. I just want to pay them a fair amount for both parties. I'm 47 and like the rest of you I've wanted one of these since I was a kid. Now I'm going to have 2. WOOPIE. I'm also getting Japanese ARISAKA rifle and 2 bayonets. There is about 300 rounds of 45 ammo, that's probably from the 70s. Is it still good ?

[Mark Hitchcock]

These guns went from action in WWI came home, got passed on to the son, now me. the screws on the grips on one are a little buggered. I just joined, I'll post pictures as soon as figure out how. I think they are all origanal. The guns are mine to buy. I just want to pay them a fair amount for both parties. I'm 47 and like the rest of you I've wanted one of these since I was a kid. Now I'm going to have 2. WOOPIE. I'm also getting Japanese ARISAKA rifle and 2 bayonets. There is about 300 rounds of 45 ammo, that's probably from the 70s. Is it still good ?

Congrats on the new toys.
Be careful with the ammo. If it is pre 1944 manufacture, it is corrosive. The head stamp will tell you the date and manufacturer if it is military.

[bgiven]

I think they are all origanal.

Pictures of both will clear this up post-haste.....

[bigredc]

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q36/bigredc222/rightside168xxxresize.jpg

[bigredc]

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q36/bigredc222/rightside314xxxresize.jpg

[bigredc]

It only took me 30 min. but I figured out how to post pictures. Thaks for any help on the value.

[bigredc]

The one looks so good. I was wondering if might have been re blued. I hope not.

[Mick_In_Texas]

... I have a USGI manufactured in 1918. I named her First Lady. She's 100% functional, but she has a lot of external finish wear: especially near the muzzle on the slide, the thumb safety, the trigger and the dust cover. There is no rust on her. I've had her detail stripped and cleaned by a certified gunsmith. She shot and functioned perfectly.

Looks like you've found a couple of really good 'uns! I got mine at auction for $945 and I LOVE her. I was extremely lucky. Internally there is NO damage or wear to her.

I hope you can get the two. If one has been refinsihed, that does decrease her "value" as far as collectors go; but, with First Lady, I really don't think about that... she is mine, and I don't intend to sell her or list her on auction. I love her just like she is. She works, but she won't have to work much, as I also have a Colt's O1911 WWI Repro. My original is "safe". But, she shot well, and is in great mechanical shape, despite the minor wear and idiot scratches on her Black Army finish.

Mick

[bigredc]

I want to have a gunsmith check them out, after I get them. I guess I'd better do some reserch to find a certified one in the area. I have no intention of ever selling them. My godson is the great grandson of the MAN that carried one of them in WW I. I intend on giving them to him some day. He's 16 now.

[Doran]

Generally speaking only original pistols command the "collectible" price. Beyond originality the condition and rarity determine the value. Extremely rare models or proven provenance to famous individuals or combat actions affect these factors somewhat.

The pistol in the top picture has the RHS grip, trigger, mainspring housing replaced at least. The small parts in the second picture appear correct but the slide lettering looks small for that range, however, that might just be the picture. It's difficult to say definitively without hands-on inspection but the bottom pistol looks refinished and the top one might be also. I suggest you get a professional appraisal before spending that kind of money. I'm sure your friend would only want you to pay a fair amount.

[bigredc]

The family called me last night and asked if I wanted the lead lined box that there Father used to shoot into in the basement. I said sure. I can't imagine shooting these babies inside a house.

[exitwounds]

Congrats on the new toys.
Be careful with the ammo. If it is pre 1944 manufacture, it is corrosive. The head stamp will tell you the date and manufacturer if it is military.

.45 ACP M1911 Ball Non - Corrosive Ammo started at:
Headstamp Date Lot #
FA 7 - 54 1542
RA 9 - 52 5544
WCC 11 - 52 6375
TW 8 - 53 18000
WRA 11 - 51 22198 (Steel cased lots S-22000-22007 also were w/styphnate)
FCC 11 - 53 1801 (M26 Tracer)
FA 3 - 53 41 (M26 Tracer)

According to the US Army Ord. Dept. NON-CORROSIVE PRIMERS IN U.S. MILITARY AMMUNITION STARTED WITH THESE LOTS/DATES. They state all ammunition with the year shown or earlier is CORROSIVE (earlier lot numbers in the same year), and all with a headstamp date higher than the year shown is NON-CORROSIVE. :)

[bigredc]

I'll be sure not use the ammo if any of it suspicious. I stopped by a local gun shop today. He told me it was a waste of money to have them checked out. He said if everything seems fine and they where being shot back in the 70s they should be fine ?

[bgiven]

I agree with Doran... based on the pics they both appear to be refinished and have at least a few mismatched parts. The slide in the second picture is certainly much earlier than the frame serial number indicates. The smaller serifed letters are a good indicator.

[exitwounds]

I'll be sure not use the ammo if any of it suspicious. I stopped by a local gun shop today. He told me it was a waste of money to have them checked out. He said if everything seems fine and they where being shot back in the 70s they should be fine ?

Corrosive Ammo was being shot up on the ranges as late as the '80s, I'd check the headstamps myself, because without the proper cleaning, it could cost you a barrel eventually. ;)

[pa_guns]

Hi

Keep in mind that any pistol is only worth what you want to pay for it. If you plan to re-sell them then market value matters.

Once you get past the "all original" plus "perfect condition" category there is a fast drop off in market value.

Bob

[bigredc]

So I'm thinking 3 grand for the pair is more than fair, since they don't apear to be original. Any thoughts? Should I pick one and put all the origanal parts on it. Then use the other one as a shooter.

[pa_guns]

So I'm thinking 3 grand for the pair is more than fair, since they don't apear to be original. Any thoughts? Should I pick one and put all the origanal parts on it. Then use the other one as a shooter.

Hi

Without a lot more looking, I'd say that $3K for the pair is a pretty good deal.

Before I started swapping any parts I think I would do a lot more research on just what you have on each pistol. Sounds like a fun project.

Bob

[bigredc]

I'm having a hard time containing myself. The pistols are mine to buy. I did about 100 hrs. work on the there fathers house to barder for the guns etc. The family has a million other things to deal with selling the house and all, so I have to just be patiant. I figured I use the time to gather info.

[bgiven]

So I'm thinking 3 grand for the pair is more than fair, since they don't apear to be original. Any thoughts? Should I pick one and put all the origanal parts on it. Then use the other one as a shooter.


I'm sorry.... but $1500 each for refinished M1911s with mis-matched parts and possibly mis-matched barrels is too much. If you start hunting parts and barrels..... it's going to get expensive real fast, and they will never be original.

A M1911 is only original once.

[bigredc]

Thanks for your input. Since I'm bardering, I don't mind being a LITTLE genrous. I realy don't care about re sale value, that much. I might have them refinished maybe. Beyond that, I'll just leave them way they are. The one with the UNITED STATES PROPERTY removed and no diamond grips acording to a m1911 website, http://www.coolgunsite.com/ is called a gangster style. There is a story with that gun. I'm basicly just going to hold these guns till the Great grandson, that is my Godson, is old enough to get them (15-20 years) The relatives don't see the need to keep them. I think that is a mistake, so I'm keeping them for him. TMI. Thanks for the help. That's why I'm here.