What condition would you rate this 1937 Colt?

[ralfus]

Comparing to the Blue Book % pictures seems a little confusing and the owner and I have been trying to figure out the condition and value. The parts are all original and the internals are excellent. Bore is perfect. It was purchased new by a new Army Lt who was about to go overseas. He kept it through his career and his family let go of it 2 years ago. The front and backstrap areas have more finish wear than the rest of the pistol. I am new to this forum. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/ralfus/000_2460.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/ralfus/000_2526.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/ralfus/000_2529.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/ralfus/000_2525.jpg

[chip nedza]

Ralfus; Based on the condition of the grip straps (grey color),90% would be my call. Look at simpsonltd.com web sight ; Colt pistols , Colt 22 Ace, inventory #D5146 90% condition as a comparison. Chip

[stans]

I agree, I'd say 90%

[RickB]

I was going to say 75%. Little/no finish at all on front and back straps, quite a bit of wear at the muzzle end of the slide, and end of the dust cover. Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful and desireable gun, but guns usually look better in pics than in the flesh.

[exitwounds]

Well, from some of the grading I've seen and because of the lack of finish on the front and back straps as RickB mentioned, was more like 80-85%. Still a very nice and desirable example though.

[191145]

Definitely has character and interest with the right amount of wear for it's years. Don't do anything to it!

[Hunter]

I will tell you this if you all decide to be rid of the Colt please email me.

[The Virginian]

I'd say it was a 80% gun and leave it as is. Very nice pistol.

[191145]

80% seems right. It should be preserved in that condition - it has the perfect character and patina for a carefully used Colt of that era. The Lieutenant would like that.

[MARINEUS]

I rated this gun at between 87% and 90%. Then I brought it! These old guns in this condition are gettin real hard to find.

[ralfus]

I'm glad you like it, Jim.
Take good care of it. :)

[MARINEUS]

Howdy Ralfus, I will do and thanks. ;) Jim

[pa_guns]

Hi

Good purchase. Just be sure you document the history. It's a *major* part of that firearm.

Bob

[MARINEUS]

Thanks Pa and will do!

[garrettwc]

Welcome to you both! Two new members and a new vintage Colt all in one thread. Life at M1911.org is good. :)

[MARINEUS]

Thanks and gald to be here!!!

[MARINEUS]

I'm thinking about having this pistol restored by one of the great restroation shops. The question is should I do it? I have been a "collector" for many years now and have always heard that I should never do that. This is such of a nice pre-war that I just think haveing it restored to its orginal state would be nothing less than an enhancement. What do you think?

[kwill]

You will destroy its value as a collectible as soon as you refinish it. Although it isn't a mint gun it is still in desirable condition as is. It can only be original once and I don't think anyone duplicates Colt's pre-war bluing very accurately. Turnbull might come pretty close and then you would have about twice what it is worth invested in a refinished gun. Poor economics. Just my 2 centavos worth as a long time collector.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Restoration is a term used to cover a large number of activities. A lot of the value of the process is dependant on just how far you go.

Bottom line is that it's your pistol to do with as you please.

If it's purely an investment then my *guess* is that your best bet is to leave it as it is.

I'm not sure what I would do if it was mine. I certainly would keep it in good shooting order. Beyond that probably not much.

Bob

[RickB]

I always think of restoration as something that needs to be done to "save" them; if the gun is in nice, original condition, with no missing or "incorrect" parts, no pitting, etc., then it certainly doesn't need a restoration. Especially if you ever plan to shoot it, spending a lot of money on a quality restoration will be for naught if the gun subsequently accumulates any wear at all (what's less desireable than an original gun with wear? A refinished gun with wear!).

[Ted Smith]

Upon buying it, I sent my 1934 Commercial to Bill Adair for total restoration. I've seen his work and I expect my pistol will be as close to "new" as possible. If you had a 1964 GTO with a dent, worn interior, and bad paint... would you have it restored or drive it around as-is? Why should it be any different for pistols. If your pistol isn't ANIB, and isn't extremely rare, having it restored makes sense to me. Economics? I gave that up when I started buying and selling guns 35 years ago.

[marlin44]

Very nice!! Thankyou for posting pictures.

[mayagrafix]

If its a military ACP I would leave it alone, since more likely than not it has seen action. Since it is a GM then you are right about the GTO comparison. Here is my GM before and after

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/Armadura/1911-001.png

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/Armadura/22ACE003.jpg

Shes wearing a conversion unit slide and barrel here ;)

[MARINEUS]

mayagrafix, thanks for your private message the sight on the gun pictured above is much like the one I have on a Custom Colt that I am now having some futher work done on. I do not know the orgin of that sight but I like it better than the Novack on my Brown, I wuld like to learn as much about this sight as I can, as a matter of fact I would like to acquire another, any info from members would be appreciated.

[OD*]

Upon buying it, I sent my 1934 Commercial to Bill Adair for total restoration. I've seen his work and I expect my pistol will be as close to "new" as possible. If you had a 1964 GTO with a dent, worn interior, and bad paint... would you have it restored or drive it around as-is? Why should it be any different for pistols. If your pistol isn't ANIB, and isn't extremely rare, having it restored makes sense to me. Economics? I gave that up when I started buying and selling guns 35 years ago.
I have 3 pistols done by Mr. Adair, I would bet large money you'll be very happy with his work. ;)

[Sgt. Quincannon]

On the topic of the original posting, does that beautiful 1937 commercial Colt have the Swartz safety?

[MARINEUS]

No Sgt. it does not. Just aout of intrest, why do you answer the question.
I am not going to have the gun refinished, its about 90% and I'm gonna leave it that way.

[Sgt. Quincannon]

I believe the use of the Swartz safety began in 1937, and I just wondered if this one did. Pure curiosity.

[MARINEUS]

It appears that the Swarts safety began in 37, no one seems to be able to tell if there were more made with or without the additional safety. In 1942 Colt transferred 6,515 Commercial conversions to the Government all had the Swarts safety. It seems that Colt was going to incorportate this safety as a standard production process but the military did not addopt so Colt must have just dropped the idea. I think the fact that 6,515 Commercial models had the safety in 42 indicates that there may have been a great number made with this devise between 37 and 42. Intresting.

[RickB]

mayagrafix, thanks for your private message the sight on the gun pictured above is much like the one I have on a Custom Colt that I am now having some futher work done on. I do not know the orgin of that sight but I like it better than the Novack on my Brown, I wuld like to learn as much about this sight as I can, as a matter of fact I would like to acquire another, any info from members would be appreciated.

That's a Coltmaster rear sight. It was Colt's standard adjustable rear, on both autos and revolvers, from 1950-1955. I see them most often on .22 Conversions and Woodsmans (Woodsmen?), but I've seen one National Match .45 that had one. They are similar to the earlier Stevens sight, but use no locking screws on the adjustments; both elevation and windage have spring-loaded detents. The sight picture is very much like a Novak, but with a smaller notch. There are a couple of adjustable sights available now that are as compact, and fit in the Novak dovetail. One has a Novak-style "busy" rear leaf, and the other has a serrated, Heinie-style.

http://www.championgunsights.com/proddetail.asp?prod=860%2D616

http://www.championgunsights.com/proddetail.asp?prod=860%2D618