Say, guys, great forum!

I've got my eye on an arsenal re-work (AA) colt usgi 1911 serial# 30??? for sale at the local sporting goods shop. I'd say its about 80-85% parkerized finish and looks to be pretty clean and straight on the inside. The mag release has been replaced (its blue) and the mag and handgrips are not original. Asking price for it and a wwi holster in decent shape is $599.

Should I jump? I do not own a 1911, but have long wanted one. I think it'd be SUPER NEAT to own a gun that had seen action in both world wars. I've got a prewar hi-power and I think they'd go swell together.

How easy/expensive is it to come by authentic/ virtually authentic parts? Are there some clues to look for to indicate if this gun has been monkeyed with or is not in working order?

Thanks a lot for any replies, love the site!

elijah

Reworks do not have nearly the same value as original 1911's and this one doesn't even have the proper mag release or magazine. I would say this one is more of a shooter and $599 is a bit much for a well used shooter.

An AA arsenal stamp does not necessarily indicate the pistol was rebuilt for WWII. Augusta rebuilt pistols from well before WWII to all the way up into the 1950s.
What grips and magazine are with the pistol? Are you sure they're not correct for a rebuild? Or did you mean they are not correct for a WWI M1911?

The grips are of the wrap-around variety, with a gold Colt emblem. I'm no EXpert, but there's no way those are original for either wwi or a wwii rework.

The magazine, to my eye, is just blah. No obvious markings, blued not parked and in a little crisper shape than the rest of the gun.

The mag release would be my real worry.

A glorified shooter, eh? What's a good price for one of those? Is there a good chance its worn-out?

I am looking for a 1911 to shoot. Am I better off just picking up a Springfield GI for $400? The Colt has definite appeal, but I don't want a worn out piece of junk, either.

Thanks,
e

You're right. No doubt about the grips.
An unmarked full blued mag with a pinned base (not spot welded) would possibly be an early Colt military 1911A1 mag shipped with new guns 1940-1942. But spot welds and/or weep holes indicate later aftermarket production in an unmarked blued mag.
Value? I really don't think $599 is all that much too high, considering there's a legit military holster with it. The holster is probably worth $35-50 minimum.
Probably $500 would be a decent buy. Plastic grips and a parkerized mag catch...and you're in business. Most decent rebuilds are $600-750 these days.
Concerning a function test, visit Dana's site at http://usgi1911.tripod.com/ and check out his function test page. That will help you with what to look for.

Thanks Scott, stans. I think I'll put in a lower offer and see what happens. I'll let you know if I bring her home!

Thanks for all the info,

e