How to know ...

[Hawkmoon]

Went with a friend to a gun show today. It was a small show, and rather than calling it a "gun" show the promoters really should have been more honest and advertised it as a "Knife and jerky show (with a few guns on the side)" because that's what it was.

But there was one vendor there with perhaps half a dozen GI issue 1911s, including several WW1 original style M1911s. Prices ranged from $1200 to about $3000 for his offerings. I would love to own at least one genuine military 1911, and preferably the original M1911 configuration, but ... aside from the obvious problems of determining if it is all original, how does one determine the right price?

I know we have some very serious and very knowledgable collectors on here. Would any of you care to share a little about how you go about building your collections?

[RayP.]

Best way to determine prices is to check the auctions on the internet because that is actually what they are selling for,but bear in mind the skullduggery that goes on there,"some of those 90 yr. old 1911's and 60/65yr. old 1911A1's that look like they were just made have been just made".

[exitwounds]

Most pistols that are to good to be true, are just that in most cases. There are exceptions, however the pristine all original weapons will command high prices in most areas. Reviewing photos of know original pieces, reading good material such as Clawson's book on details, and reviewing market trends, is what I find to be a valuable tool, as well as information and knowledge obtained from here and other forums.

[Hawkmoon]

Thanks -- I keep intending to order up a copy of Clawson's book, then keep forgetting. Please post exact title and recommended source(s).

[PZ93C]

“Collectors Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols, Models of 1911 and 1911A1” Enlarged and revised 3rd edition 2003 By Charles W. Clawson.

Check the bookstore at http://www.coolgunsite.com/

Brian

[wichaka]

Collectors Guide To Colt .45 Service Pistols - Charles Clawson

Also, if you can find it;

Colt .45 Government Models (Commercial Series) - Charles Clawson

[PZ93C]

"Colt .45 Government Models" is the big book, isn't it? The expensive one?

Brian

[Doran]

The "big book" covers military pistols. The Govt Models book covers the Commercial Series. It was also out of print and very expensive but a new edition is supposed to come out in the fall and the price will be much lower.

[wichaka]

Right........the Commercial book, is about the same size as the Service Pistols book, but twice the pages.

Then there's the big book, which is going for about $700+

[PZ93C]

Thanks for the clarification. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/PZ93C/Smilies/xyxthumbs.gif

Brian