fair price for a 1911A1 arsenal rebuild?

[WAH]

I'm looking at buying my first 1911. It shows all signs of being a WW2 Springfield Armory rebuild. 1943 Ithaca frame/bottom (1448XXX) with a Rem-Rand slide and a mint replacement barrel marked with an "S" and "P" on the side of the lug. The finish matches between the top and bottom, and the pistol does not appear to have been fired much if at all since the rebuild.
Not having the post war 7791193 marked barrel seems to place the rebuild between when the Ithaca was made in '43 and when they started using the new barrels in '45 (is this analysis at all correct?) There are not any rebuild stamps on it, but apparently this is normal?
Anyone in the know have any idea what a fair price range is for this 1911, or if this configuration is even possible as a WW2 rebuild?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Here's a pic.

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh381/waharbol/RRand002.jpg

[bgiven]

Welcome to the Fourm.

IMO you have a better chance that this is just a plain old mixmaster, rather than the Arsenal rebuild you think it might be. If it is not arsenal marked, what gives you the impression that it was a SA rebuild ???

I think you have an $800.- mixmaster.

[WAH]

It may well be. The guy selling it tore it apart with a friend who knows his 1911's and declared it an arsenal rebuild, based mostly on the barrel.

[bgiven]

The guy selling it tore it apart with a friend who knows his 1911's and declared it an arsenal rebuild, based mostly on the barrel.

Absolutely impossible. Now I have heard it all....!!!!

[WAH]

yeah, I may pass on this one. I'd like to think it's legit, but for the money he's asking I think more proof is required.

[Duane Hansen]

Springfield made replacement barrels for the 1911 and 1911A1. To say just because it had one of the Springfield barrels, it has to be a SA rebuild is a preety big leap of faith.
I agree with Bgiven, it is most likely a mixmaster as I believe most Springfield Arsenal rebuilds of that vintage would probably be marked with "SA"

[Duane Hansen]

We are not saying that you need to pass it up either. It's not a bad looking pistol and would probably be a good shooter, what is he asking for it? If it's in the $700 to $800 range its not a bad deal. It is what it is.

[WAH]

He wants 1300. When I first looked at it it was listed as a remington rand, but I looked up the sn on the frame and pointed out that it fell in ithaca territory. Then he tore it apart (claimed never to have looked at it in detail before) and discovered it was a rebuild/mixmaster.

[WAH]

I passed. Anybody know where to find one of these $700-$800 mix masters? I'm really just looking for a shooter, and have not seen anything below $1000.

[Scott Gahimer]

For a shooter, I'd go with a modern pistol with a warranty. Why spend $300 more than you have to? Just to shoot something that once was a USGI pistol?

I'd separate the two ideas of 1) shooting, and 2) USGI pistol.

My idea of a USGI shooter is one that has been permanently altered beyond restoration. That's a USGI shooter IMO, but you don't get much for your money.

If you're going to spend more, you may as well get something that will retain it's value and appreciate over time. That's what a collectible will do for you. Of course they sell for a lot more money.

BTW, 1448xxx is a 1944 pistol. Ithaca used HS and P marked barrels up until late 1944/early 1945. Then most of their pistols will have Flannery barrels.

You made a good decision IMO by passing on the $1300 shooter.

[WAH]

What I am looking for is a USGI 1911 to go with my garand, carbine, and '03A3. I want it as a piece of my collection, but do not want something that's too collectable to shoot once in a while. If I decide I like shooting it more than once in a blue moon, I'll get a cheaper mil spec repro to save wear on the real thing.

[Duane Hansen]

If you are dead set on a USGI pistol to shoot accassionally, be reletively reasonably priced and still have collectibility, you should probably look at a Type III Rem Rand in 80% plus or minus condition. They can still be found in the $900 to $1100 range. Just a thought.

[bgiven]

Duane is right... a Type III RRand has the best value and quality as far as USGI pistols are concerned... in fact US Ordnance agreed way back then as well.

[BHP Fan]

I'd start right off with the repro.I gave my son a nice WWI Colt,after I bought a RIA G.I....he wanted the 1911 to collect with his Garand and WWII stuff,and I just wanted a shooter.I got rid of the smooth mahogony panels the Rock Island Arsenal G.I. comes with,put on some G.I. checkered ones,and for about four hundred bucks,I'm a happy camper.

[Duane Hansen]

The WWI and WWII Colt Reproduction, as you call them, are nice but I don't believe you will ever have anything that will gain in value like an old Collectible GI issue pistol.

[BHP Fan]

No,the Colt I gave my son was an WWI Colt original,but you're right about the value.Except for gold,I don't think you can do better.

[WAH]

Won a type three remington rand on gunbroker. It shipped today.

[Duane Hansen]

Thats great!....when you get it, show us some pictures.

[WAH]

Will do. It'll be a while though. It has to be shipped to an FFL in MD where I live, and I'm in school in NY, and won't be able to get home to do the paperwork until thanksgiving.