Opinions on RIA rebuild

[mpd1978]

I am looking at buying a RIA stamped 1911, the shop wants $900 for it. Its any early gun, sn 25xxx. It is parkerized and stamped RIA. It seems to have most of its original early parts, short hammer, round rear sight, early slide, long trigger and original safety and slide stop. doesnt look like its been buffed, all markings are pretty clear.
Does the early SN make it more desireable even though its a rebuild.
Oh yea, it does have a HS replacement barrel and WW2 plastic grips.

any advice would be great
thanks

[Duane Hansen]

Sounds like a pretty typical arsenal rebuild and the $900 price tag would be about right. The earlier numbered guns may be a little more valuable to some collectors but once it's been rebuilt they are pretty much all on the same level playing field. IMO

[bgiven]

A rebuild, is a rebuild, is a rebuild, is a rebuild.

Serial numbers will/can dictate/influence valuation fluctuations on original specimens only.

The only Arsenal rebuilds that I have seen that command a premium are 'AA' A.J. Savage/Colt 1918 arsenal rebuilds, and a 'SA' all Singer arsenal rebuild.

[Michael Edmonds]

Glad you said something about the "Singer SA" arsenal rebuild. There has been one on an auction site that is in the 25k price range. It looks to be the "SA" arsenal rebuild has cut the price/value by 50%. Is this a correct evaluation? When looking to purchase something like the "Singer", should one stay away from the arsenal rebuilds?

[bgiven]

There has been one on an auction site that is in the 25k price range.

While the opening bid might be in the $25x range.... he wants far more than that for it.

[Scott Gahimer]

I think value and desirability differ from collector to collector, both on original and rebuilt pieces.

"Rebuilt" can mean a lot of different things to different people.

I think it is reasonable for some who will never spend the required money to own an original ealry pistol to spend a little more to have a rebuilt pistol with an early number.

However, if I were buying a rebuilt pistol to shoot, I'd want a late WWII pistol. I say "if I were buying..." because I don't buy those pistols to shoot. I buy modern manufacture commercial pistols to shoot.

[mpd1978]

Well the old 45 found a new home with me.



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[mpd1978]

BTW, could anybody tell me what kind of hammer this pistol has? Is it a WW2 Colt possibly? Also is the thumb safety the first variant or the second?
thanks

[bgiven]

BTW, could anybody tell me what kind of hammer this pistol has? Is it a WW2 Colt possibly? Also is the thumb safety the first variant or the second?
thanks

Hammer looks to be a WWII short beavertail. The thumb safety is the 2nd variant.

[Michael Edmonds]

When ever one of these war heros finds a home, it is good news. What barrel do you have in it?

[bgiven]

Oh yea, it does have a HS replacement barrel and WW2 plastic grips.

Typical Arsenal Rebuild components.