Debating on restoration

[plssking]

I recently picked up a 1911 1912 yr model , one owner . It has been modified to nickel . Im wanting to go back to original. Gun has seen it time in the field. Still shoots very good when I can find ammo for it.
Spoke with the guys in NY today and we were guessing around 2-3K to restore. The question is could I if I recoup the cost of the restore if I had to sell it
First time posting thanks for the help

[Scott Gahimer]

Welcome to the forum.

The first priority is to determine exactly what you have. That will require some good detailed photos. From there, we can offer an informed opinion about whether to restore.

We need to establish the value and originality of your pistol now. Then we can speculate about what the added cost of a restoration might be, and whether or not your pistol's value would appreciate enough, or at all, with a restoration.

The specific serial range will determine what finish was original for your pistol. That will have a lot to do with the cost and results of a restoration.

Many pistols are simply better off left the way they are, both for collector interest and historical & financial value.

[kenhwind]

:wc:
Welcome to the forum

[Johnny Peppers]

I recently picked up a 1911 1912 yr model , one owner .

Is the pistol a Model 1911 or Government Model? The first owner (number one) of a Model 1911 would have been the United States government.

[plssking]

Is the pistol a Model 1911 or Government Model? The first owner (number one) of a Model 1911 would have been the United States government.

From what I have it is a sn # 15xxx , the guy in NY said it would be worth it and Im still on the fence on this . It is a gov, model . Property of the army . for what I can find about 3500 made that year.... any info will help . Im trying to figure this out . Im lost ,
Like I said it was nikeld and that wasnt original per my info
Thanks for all the help

[Richard Weed]

It's an M1911 made in 1912 for the U.S. Gov't. It should have UNITED STATES PROPERTY on the frame. I doubt it will hurt the value to have the nickle removed and then have it blued. However, you may end up losing some of the lettering in the process. Regardless of what you do, it does not have much in the way of collector value. I guess if you could get the whole thing done for under $1000 including the cost of the gun, then I'd say it would be a worthwhile project. Beyond that it's kind of like throwing money up a wild hog's behind.

[Johnny Peppers]

From what I have it is a sn # 15xxx , the guy in NY said it would be worth it and Im still on the fence on this . It is a gov, model . Property of the army . for what I can find about 3500 made that year.... any info will help . Im trying to figure this out . Im lost ,
Like I said it was nikeld and that wasnt original per my info
Thanks for all the help

If the serial number is No.15XXX it is a Model 1911, and if the serial number is C 15XXX it is a Government Model. 17,250 Model 1911's were shipped in 1912.
A Model 1911 is military, and a Government Model is a commercial.
You are correct that it was not originally nickeled.
Whether it is worth it or not depends on what you have to pay for the pistol, and what you have to pay someone to restore it. To have your average gun shop refinish the pistol is pretty well a losing proposition. Doug Turnbull restorations start at $1800 and escalate rapidly, and you still have a refinished pistol.

[Scott Gahimer]

Here is a 1912 mfg Colt M1911 No. 16488 that is all original to compare your pistol to.

Regardless of how good any restoration is, they just don't look original. In this case, the pistol is about 97 yrs. old. almost 100 yrs. of aging is impossible to fake.

For more photos and comments on this pistol, I'll start another thread specifically for it.
http://i43.tinypic.com/280mu4i.jpg

[plssking]

Yall have been very helpfull , I think you for that, Turnbull is who I have been speaking to about the restoration work. They said they have a 1912 and 1913 right now for over 5k (one being military). If this being the case I could recoup my monies.
Thanks again and I look forward to reading and posting more