Magazine price?

[asin]

What's a reasonable price for a "S" (Scoville), "L" (Little), or "R" (Risdon) marked WWII era magazine. Saw a few at a show today, vendors wanted anywhere from $20 - $30 dollars. One of the vendors wanted $85 for a two tone WWI era Colt mag. Didn't buy any, just curious as to price.
Thanks,
Steve

[Scott Gahimer]

Steve: Condition is everything when determining price. If the mags were original finish and nice, with no rust or pitting...the prices were probably reasonable.
Minty mags will certainly sell for a lot more. But I see a lot of refinished mags passed off as original with high prices, so be sure you look closely before throwing money on the table.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Assuming they are in very good shape $20 is not a bad price for WWII mags. If you look for a while you probably can find them for $15 at a show. If they are new in the wrappers you see people asking $30 or more. That's all for legit WWII era mags.

WWI mags are a different story. There aren't a lot of them running around. Price will vary with minor details in condition. You also see "reproductions" running around at "real thing" prices.

Bob

[Doran]

One gunshow dealer had a number of WWI and WWII magazines this weekend. Average condition WWI contract $50-$80 and WWI Colt $80-$100. Below to average WWII contract $20-$30 with better condition $40-$50. Quantity purchases likely somewhat less.

[Polski]

After doing some research on my 1913 Navy Colt M1911, I find that the two magazines that I have are not originals and are not even from the same period. One of the mags can be dated to 1933-1934 and the other is unknown. I need a lanyard loop mag to be more correct. Should I expect to pay $50 to $100 for a correct mag?

[Mark Hitchcock]

After doing some research on my 1913 Navy Colt M1911, I find that the two magazines that I have are not originals and are not even from the same period. One of the mags can be dated to 1933-1934 and the other is unknown. I need a lanyard loop mag to be more correct. Should I expect to pay $50 to $100 for a correct mag?

Depending on your serial. You may need a keyhole mag. Look to pay $300 plus :confused:

[pa_guns]

After doing some research on my 1913 Navy Colt M1911, I find that the two magazines that I have are not originals and are not even from the same period. One of the mags can be dated to 1933-1934 and the other is unknown. I need a lanyard loop mag to be more correct. Should I expect to pay $50 to $100 for a correct mag?

Hi

You probably should expect to pay more than that. Be careful, there are a lot of not quite authentic ones out there.

Bob

[Doran]

The prices I quoted concerned late no loop magazines. Std Colt loop magazines about 50% higher for same condition and as Mark said, if you need an original keyhole likely 100% plus above that from a knowledgable seller. Many, many fake keyholes exist made from later magazines.

[Polski]

Thank you Mark, PA and Doran for the rather discouraging news about the magazine. For what it's worth, the serial number is 38621. It makes me think about the value of the two mags I do have, especially one I can not identify. There is a big gun show in Little Rock this weekend. It may be worth my while to check it out and see what might be available. Does the lanyard loop or keyhole mag, for that period, have any special markings?

[pa_guns]

Hi

You *never* know what will be at any specific gun show. It would be very unusual around here to find a real 1913 vintage mag for sale.

Bob

[Polski]

After reading many letters in the forum regarding magazines, I am still puzzled what to look for in an original magazine for my 1913 M1911 Navy Colt. I've seen references to lanyard loop, keyhole, two-tone, Type 2, 3, 4,? Can someone clearly define what was the original magazine?

[Mark Hitchcock]

After reading many letters in the forum regarding magazines, I am still puzzled what to look for in an original magazine for my 1913 M1911 Navy Colt. I've seen references to lanyard loop, keyhole, two-tone, Type 2, 3, 4,? Can someone clearly define what was the original magazine?

If I am reading Clawson's correctly Page 82, little book, you need a key hole, lanyard loop mag, Type 2.

[Scott Gahimer]

s/n 38,000 is about where the keyhole mags started to be phased out. Mr. Clawson says in the book keyholes were used up to about s/n 40,000. There is some overlap with all the early magazine type transitions.

At that serial number, I wouldn't grieve myself searching for a late type 2 keyhole mag or pay the price associated with it to get one. The only way to buy a keyhole magazine IMO is from a dealer who doesn't value it at a premium. One just sold for $100 a couple weeks ago.

The type 3 non-keyhole lanyard loop mag is a lot more common and perfectly acceptable for your pistol IMO. Nobody knows which specific pistols had which magazines at your serial number.

You can either have a pistol with one of the last keyholes, or one of the first standard type 3 lanyard loop mags.

[Polski]

Scott & Mark, thanks for your collective inputs relative to my magazine question. Since I am still unclear about the different magazines, where are there photos or drawings for the keyhole and Type 3 lanyard loop? One of the two mags I have is two-toned with no markings and no lanyard loop, and the second is mono-toned with the lettering "Colt 45 Auto" engraved on the bottom (1933 vintage).http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff246/Polski123/Gun7.jpg