Price check: inherited Colt US Military issue 1911 No. 143887

[woodshed]

Hi! I am new to Colt firearms and need some information on this gun. I inherited it from my grandfather. From what I can find on the internet I believe it to be a Colt 1911 Army .45 US Military issue serial number 143887, made in approximately 1916-1917. No rebuild stamps and all original parts including one magazine and one "US" Clinton 1917 holster. has "United States Property" stamp. The blueing is all there but has thinned, some edge wear. The "arrow" grips are in good condition, no crack but a few small knicks. Everything including the action appears to work but I have not fired it. What is the current value of this gun? I will insert some pics tomorrow to help determine what it may be worth. Any help is appritiated.

http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/colt1.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/colt2.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/colt3.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/colt4.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/colt5.jpg


Scott

[bigredc]

I'm in the same boat. Check out the post WWI. I bought a book. I'll include the page with our guns on it.http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q36/bigredc222/gunvalueresize.jpg

[bigredc]

I don't know what the green stuff is on your gun, but maybe you should carfully clean and get some oil on it. Maybe we can work together to get some answers. I'm in eastern Penn. How about you.

[woodshed]

It's corrosion off of the holster latch, not attached to the gun. The gun is very clean overallm, no rust pittinf or any other blemishes. I'm half afraid to clean it!

Scott

[exitwounds]

Your pistol is a Colt M1911 made in 1917. And is one of one thousand that was shipped on Apr 18, 1917 to the CO, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill. Looks good.

[clughog]

Welcome to the Forum, woodshed! That's a really nice looking pistol. I know it must mean a lot to you since it was your grandfather's. Did you know any of it's history?

[pa_guns]

Hi

A bit of oil and some cleaning are a good idea if done carefully.

Bob

[mayagrafix]

The "arrow" grips are normally referred to as "diamond" grips. It would be a good idea if you did not keep the pistol holstered anymore as this causes damage to the bluing. Also, spreading some oil on it wouldn't hurt. And last but not least, I would not shoot it unless TSHTF.

As per the book shown, I would say your heirloom is a VG to Exc condition. I would give the 4k clams gladly if I had them! :)

Congrats on fine piece of history. Thanks for sharing.

[John]

It's amazing that a 1917 pistol has survived for so long, in such an excellent condition. Congrats.

[woodshed]

I had the gun checked out by my local gunsmith and he said that mechanically the gun was superb, very tight, much better than any other early 1911 he had seen. He rated the blueing as being 85-90% saying that it had alot of holster wear. His appraisal was $2000-2500, depending on day of the week and how bad someone wants it. He had another Colt 1911 USGI in the shop, serial in the 89,XXX's and the blueing was near perfect but mechanically it was real loosey goosey, wanted $3000 for it. He called it "the rattler" as it rattled and had alot of slide play. said it had been shot alot. Sure looked pretty though.

Scott

[sonofsarge]

What do you want to bet that if your's was the one for sale in the shop, he would be asking $3000-$3500 for it. Hang on to that puppy.

[woodshed]

I just got the pistol back from the gunsmith, he disassembled it, verified all parts as being original and in excellent condition, and cleaned and lubed it as needed. Took some new pics:

http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/451.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/452.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/453.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/454.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/455.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/456.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/457.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/458.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/459.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/4510.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/4511.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/4512.jpg
http://www.woodshedvintageguitars.com/shed/4513.jpg

Scott

[bigredc]

Very nice.

[OD*]

That is fantastic. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[pa_guns]

Hi

Thanks for the pictures. That's a nice pistol.

Bob

[Mark Hitchcock]

Beautiful 1917, put a very light coat of Hoppe's gun oil on it, find you some pistol socks, and store to it.
Give the holster a light coat of Picards every 6 months or so and they will last forever. Congrats.........you're a lucky guy.

[sprice1973]

That is a beautiful pistol! Hang on to that,should do nothing but increase in value!

[clughog]

It sure cleaned up nice, woodshed! Wow!

[Thompsongunner]

If you ever need a child to pass that Beauty on to, I'm open for adoption!


Gunner,

p.s. could you post some more pic's?

[stoneypete]

You may want to wipe that down again with a rag. I just drooled all over it.

Thanks for sharing your family heirloom.

[TattooPaul]

That is a true classic! It's one heckuva great sample of vintage Colt hardware. Looks to be worth top dollar and, were I in your shoes, I would hold on tight. She's a beauty... Well done!

[elijdub]

+1 here!! That beauty is phenominal! I would store it correctly as mentioned above and give it to YOUR grandkids... it'll be worth a small fortune!
Congrats..