md dad's M1911 with pics is it vaulable

[mulder]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/mulderbri/rightside.jpg

Attached is a photo of my Dad's M1911. Is this gun in good condition? What can I do to make it look better and keep its value?

Thanks to all who have replied to my other post with info. I am hooked and look forward to getting my own.

I have been reading lots of different threads and I am learning a lot already.

Thanks again

Brian

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/mulderbri/a57c5f74.jpg

[John]

From the pictures, it looks like a beatiful 1911!!! Great shape, as far as I can see, so yes it is valuable. How much? I'll leave the experts decide, I am not good at these old workhorses.

[garrettwc]

Nice 1911 there. I wouldn't change a thing. From what little I know it is worth more all original, even if the finish is worn. I'm not up on the values of these.

One thing I do know is that the Springfield Armory stamped on the slide is not the same one that is a company today. It was a government owned armory started in 1794 by George Washington. It produced the '03 rifle and the M1 Garand.

Your pistol is one of only 25,000 that were ever made if my memory is correct.

[OD*]

Don't do a thing to it, you can't make it look better.

[AKsRule]

You can find info on the Springfield 1911s here.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/

There are some excellent pictures there.

Can you tell if it has been refinished?

Complete original Springfields are very rare BTW :)

[RickB]

Beautiful. Wipe the finger prints off when you handle it, and store in a cool, dry place.

[mulder]

All I can say is WOW.

It is a beautiful piece and I hope that my Dad does not want to sell it. I'm big on family heirlooms and would not sell it at any cost.

How do I tell if it is all original? I know that my dad has not had any work done to it ever. We would take it out and shoot with it when I would be up for a visit and the gun would get put back in the closet. I bet it has not been cleaned in 20 years.

I went to coolgunsite.com and found the date of manufacture. The serial number falls between 125587-127998 which tells me it was made in 1917 and only 2412 were made that year. That is if I am reading it correctly. I see no other markings that tell me that it has been refurbished at any of the arsenals. I think it has been stuffed in a closet ever since my Grandfather had it and gave it to my Dad.

I am amazed at the info I can find on the web about this gun.

Thanks again to all who have chimed in about this gun. Sorry about the big photo I must have done something wrong when I put it in.

I am still looking for a rough idea of what the gun is worth. If not for anything more than insurance purposes.

Brian

[mayagrafix]

Does it have one of these?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/inspm38.gif
or
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/inspm34.gif
or
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/wpe12.jpg
or maybe
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/inscart2.jpg

[exitwounds]

Does it have one of these?


The "flaming bomb" ordnance escutcheon symbol is located on all SA pistols where the inspector's intials are located on Colt's, it is different then the one shown in your example. The Type I Eagle's head Inspection mark was not used on SA pistols, only Colt and Rem-UMC pistols. Also the inspector stamp WGP (Walter G. Penfield) was used only on Colt 1911's and 1909 revolvers, not SA pistols.:) :) :) :)

[exitwounds]

I am still looking for a rough idea of what the gun is worth. If not for anything more than insurance purposes. Brian

BTW, A Springfield 1911, recently sold at a auction in Scranton, PA in similar condition to yours for $1800. :) :) :) Very nice pistol, thanks for sharing the pictures, and keep it as it is.

[stans]

Keep it clean and well oiled, you have a nice model 1911.

[Bob Cammaroto]

Yup, she sure is a beauty...I have one very much like it in that same 127XXX range, which makes we wonder whether anyone had thought of establishing a registry through this site? That way, we could all log our weapons in and then see if there are others out there at or near their number, etc.? Might be interesting for research purposes. Sure, that could be fraught with problems, and weapons, like people, change hands...just a thought.

[garrettwc]

Might be interesting for research purposes. Sure, that could be fraught with problems, and weapons, like people, change hands...just a thought.

Read posts in this thread for reasons it's a bad idea
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=3302&highlight=1911+poll

[gundealer3]

I've been looking for a second Sprinfield Armory for my collection. I'll give you $2500 for it.

[mulder]

Thanks for the offer gundealer3 but we are keeping it in the family.

[jagsport]

Wipe it off with a product called RIG grease ( RIG RAG ) and keep it dry anf locked up.
I agree with the $1200 to max. $1800 range .........

[191145]

It should be detail-stripped, cleaned and oiled. If you don't feel comfortable in doing this, any gunsmith will be glad to. Every metal surface inside and outside should have a fine film of gun oil on it to retard corrosion. Always wipe it down with gun oil after handling. It's a beautiful 1911!