My dads M1911 is it vaulable?

[mulder]

Hello to all and thank God for the internet. I just returned from a Thanksgiving weekend at my Dad's in NH and while en-route I purchased a magazine that is the complete 1911 guide on news stands now. Anyway, I noticed that the military models in the issue resembled one my dad owns and upon further reading discovered that he had a collectors piece all these years and we never knew it. It was from a Great Uncle in WW1 and he has had it for a long time.

I can not find another gun that has markings that looks close to this one. On the right side of the gun it says" Model of 1911 US Army" which I have seen on other guns in my search. The serial number is #127XXX and above the SN is a symbol of a bird with some sort of crest in its feet.

On the left side on the slide it says on line one" Patented Apr, 20 1897" On line two it reads "Sept 8, 1902, Dec, 19 1905 Feb, 14 1911" and the third line reads "Colt's Pt. F.A. MFG. CO" To the right of that it reads "Springfield Armory USA."

Under the slide it reads "United States Property". There are two markings on the same side that look alike. They look like four flames with a circle at the bottom.

It looks like it is in good shape. He has had it laying around in his closet for years and now has it in a bedside table for protection. Every now and then we have taken it out to shoot and it works fine for the lack of care it has gotten.

I will post a few pics of it in hopes of someone being able to help identify the year it was made and a possible value.

For some reason I can not post pics yet or I am doing something wrong. I just joined and I will figure out how to post photos of the gun in question.

My pistol permit is in process and I am looking forward to purchasing my first 1911.

I look forward to reading more on the site and have found a new hobby here. Thanks to all who read this and may be able to help a newbie to the 1911 world.

[Johnny Peppers]

Sounds like you have a Model of 1911 manufactured by Springfield Armory. It should look like this pistol.
http://tinypic.com/hx0oxs.jpg

[Scott Gahimer]

Your 127xxx indicates it is either a 1916 or 1917 production pistol. With the rest of the serial number, we'll know which year.

That's a beautiful Springfield and magazine, Johnny.

[mulder]

Johnny Peppers,

Thanks for the reply. The photo you posted looks just like my dad's gun. My dad's gun looks to be in better condition. Although that is based on my beginner eyes. He has three clips for it as well.

How can I get the whole serial# to you in private to find out? I have two pretty good closeups of the gun from both sides that I would like you to have a look at. Is there an e-mail address that I can send the photos to since I am not able to attach photos to my post's? All so what is an original gun like this worth? My dad thinks we found treausre in his closet and I'm hoping he is right. He was pretty exicited about it.

Are there any good web sites that I can go to to do more digging and learning in general? As well as a reputable place that I can get one for myself? Thanks for the help. Brian

[Yoshi]

Thats a beautiful pistol.
I have pistol envy

[Hawkmoon]

Mulder --

This site does not host photos, but you can link to photos that are hosted on other sites. In the lower of the two forum menu bars across the top of the screen, on the left-hand side you should see a choice for "FAQ." In that FAQ area is one explaining how to link to picture, and how to put them onto free photo hosting sites. Photobucket is one that seems popular these days.

Next, for more info go back out to the home page at www.m1911.org -- click on the upper of the two links to get to our technical reference side, and you'll find a lot of information about the M1911.

I suspect your father's pistol is rather valuable but, considering that it was carried by one of your ancestors in "the great war," I sincerely hope that you will never think of selling it.

[OD*]

Beautiful Springfield, Johnny.

[Johnny Peppers]

Thanks. Always interested in seeing better ones.

[mulder]

Thanks to all for the input. I e-mailed Johnny two photos and asked him to put the photos here for everyone to see. I would like my Dad to keep the gun in hopes of it someday making it to me. I may have to keep the real value to myself. Does anyone know what the approximate value might be?

Thanks again. Brian

[exitwounds]

Are there any good web sites that I can go to to do more digging and learning in general? Thanks for the help. Brian

Brian, www.coolgunsite.com is a great resource, check out the 1911 ID pages and 1911 gallery. It has alot of valuable information that should help answer some of your questions. :)