1911 WW 1 Colt

[HAMMIT]

Need Ball park value for insurance purposes for this 45. has 85% Blue SS# 163,xxx All matching has original holster/ belt and clip holders Has a couple of notches in Grips
Thanks
Hammit

HAMMLT@AOL,com

[Scott Gahimer]

Welcome to the forum

Without photos and more specific information, it is impossible to give you anymore of an appraisal than what the Blue Book of Gun Values or any other price guide offers.
What does all matching mean? That means something entirely different to many of us here.
Even the Blue Book rates their % of finish values based on the pistols being original finish.
Your ballpark value could be $300; it could be $1500. It all depends on what it is. The specifics matter.

[kenhwind]

:wc:
Hi, and welcome to the forum.
One picture is worth a thousand words.

[HAMMIT]

All original all matching numbers
Thanks will get pic if needed
John

[Scott Gahimer]

There are no matching numbers on Colt pistols in that serial range. What are you talking about?

Pictures (multiple) needed to provide any help. We need to see at least:

1) good clear shots of the left and right sides.

We also have to see the barrel markings and the magazine. It all makes a difference.

We might need other views as well, depending on how good the photos are of the left and right side.

[rafsob]

Even the Blue Book rates their % of finish values based on the pistols being original finish.
Your ballpark value could be $300; it could be $1500. It all depends on what it is. The specifics matter.

I am curious as to where you get the $300 figure from? I noted that in the Blue Book of Guns it lists a Colt M1911 starting figure at 60% to be $1000. And it goes up from there. Are you using a different book? I only ask because I am new to the M1911 and inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

[Duane Hansen]

The $1000 figure that is given is for an all correct parts example, with correct original finish at 60% . The $300 figure would be for a non matching, mixmaster that has been refinished in someones back yard shop.

[rekladan]

Unless I'm very much mistaken, the % usually refers to how much original finish remains on the pistol. I don't have the book in question, but I assume the author clarifies that somewhere...

If the figure didn't take originality into account, then anyone owning a blueing tank could make some really expensive old Colts!

[Duane Hansen]

I'm sorry for any confusion, but thats what I thought I said. 60% is referring to the condition or original finish but means original parts also. It really doesn't matter what the percent of original finish is if the parts aren't correct.

[rekladan]

I'm sorry, I wasn't disagreeing with you! My post was too simplistic - obviously finish is not the only factor, and I can see how someone could (wrongly) read that in my previous post. Even a gun that left the factory two days ago isn't considered 100%, if someone shot a mag through it yesterday...

[bgiven]

All original all matching numbers
Thanks will get pic if needed
John


Another OP 'hit and run'...... You would think that if they they actually had the pistol, as described, or not, thay would at least come back, post the requested info, and gain some valuable information regarding what they have...... or don't have.

[Scott Gahimer]

I am curious as to where you get the $300 figure from? I noted that in the Blue Book of Guns it lists a Colt M1911 starting figure at 60% to be $1000. And it goes up from there. Are you using a different book? I only ask because I am new to the M1911 and inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

I don't use books to value the M1911 and M1911A1 pistols. I use some good old-fashioned experience with collecting and the market.

I don't recommend for anyone to rely on price guides with collectibles, or anything you don't have experience with. You are better off seeking advice from knowledgeable collectors who mess with the stuff daily.

If you use a Blue Book to sell a miltary .45, you will almost always leave a lot of money laying on the table. If you use the Blue Book to buy, you'll be lucky to ever find a decent, original piece for book value. The Blue Book, IMO, is a buyer's tool for dealer's with most collectibles.

When someone new shows up, does not show a pistol and only offers general, vague information and asks value...what else am I to do except offer a broad, vague range of values? It would be irresponsible for me as someone who knows something about these pistols and the market to throw out high numbers, assuming the pistol is exactly as described.

I find most new members asking values don't know enough to determine whether finish and parts are original. If they have to ask value, that's the first sign they're probably not too familiar with the pistols. Often, we find they are relying on someone else's description...a seller, or someone else equally in the dark about the pistols.

Many of these pistols turn out to be cobbled up mismatches that honestly have no collector's value at all to any knowedgeable collector. They are pistols that I would not value as high as a modern production commercial piece I can generally buy for about $500 at any gun show. I won't pay a collectible price for something that isn't collectible.

Some new members "hit & run" as Bob notes in his post. We do not know what their motives are when they do not follow-through and provide photos and detailed information about what they are asking about. They might be a seller of the pistol looking for high estimates to use in a sales pitch. They may be boosting the % rating of condition or misrepresenting the pistol as orignal, correct, matching, original finish, etc...how do we know? We can't know.

$300 is about what I might value some low-dollar refinished mismatch, or perhaps an aftermarket frame gun...or a pistol with scrubbed markings or markings that have been re-applied.

Furnish some good photos and detailed infomation and you'll get honest, serious replies with realistc value estimates. Play games and you won't get much help from some of us who have seen those game played before.

I find it difficult to value anything I can't see because descriptions vary so much, depending on who is doing the describing. I tend to always assume the worst in order to protect people.

I don't know who might read what I post. I can't know how my post might be used to promote a sale. I try to qualify my estimates when I can to make sure people understand I haven't personally inspected something. I might use a disclaimer and say it is impossible for me to verify anything using photos.

So welcome to the board and thank you for asking for a clarification about the $300. I must have been feeling generous that day. Sometimes things I can't see are worthless when I am asked for an estimate. ;)

All this isn't meant to imply the OP was doing anything malicious or improper in asking his question. He simply did not follow-through with the necessary photos and information to get an accurate assessment of anything.