Hi. First post and two questions. An elderly friend of my brother's has a WWI era Army that his father brought home from the war. 98% but... The father or someone filed off US Army and United States Property. Yes, sickening but I can get it for 300 and was wondering if the damage can be rectified or should I simply enjoy it as a shooter.
Second concerns the value of a US Navy sn 24xx in a solid 80% blue with on the slide and frame except the grip area that is mostly brown.
Thanks,
Roy

The 1911 sn 24xx is NOT a Colt USN serial number. You may have a MODEL OF 1911 U. S. NAVY slide on that frame. Serial # 2001 - 2500 was not in the USN range. Do you have any pictures you can post? The defaced 1911 would worth the $300 IMHO but has been severely degraded as a collector. There are some restoration services out there that repair/redo military markings, but you will probably end up paying more for the service than the pistol is worth, and still have a non collectible weapon. I myself would enjoy it as a shooter or part the weapon out.

Roy,

I have a Navy ( #27XX ) with a mismatched slide.... I would be interested in talking with you if it is for sale....

Bob Given rbauction.com

Whoops!! the number is 2436. Sorry, I hadn't taken it from the holster in a couple of years and my memory was typical for my age group. The rust is not too bad and all markings remain crisp.
Roy

Roy,

S/N 2436 is still not a Navy ......a being that I have a #27XX receiver that may match....I am still very interested.... pending what you would like to do.

Bob Given
bgiven@rbauction.com

exitwounds,

You don't feel a 1911 with a professional restoration would be worth $600?

__________________
"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper

What inspector stamps are on the frame of the 45 with the Navy slide?,it may be a REM-UMC frame and not a Colt frame as the REM-UMC's go from #1 to #21676.

RayP.

Not seeing a picture of the condition of the weapon I honestly can not say for sure if it would be worth it, depending on how crudely the grinding off or filing was done, restoration can get expensive. There are still unaltered all original pieces out there that can be picked up dirt cheap and need nothing but a good cleaning. Around my region, an unaltered 1911 in 60% condition that is all original or correct for the period will by far be of more value than an aftermarket reworked/restored pistol. He buys it for $300, pays $400-$600 for restoration, and still has an altered weapon, not to say someone would not pay big money for it, but the history is gone. If it has a USN slide, and other original USN parts, I'd say there is more money in parting it out. For me personally I could not justify the expense, and enjoy it as a shooter. I'll take a original/period correct weapon or an arsenal rebuild over any non military reworked weapon. To each his own, if he is happy with his decision in doing so, then so be it.

#2436 still doesn't make it a USN 1911. But a 1911 mixmaster in 80-90% condition around here would sell for $800 or more if it has a USN slide.

exitwounds,

I had Bill Adair do my 1913-M1911 which had the serial number and "Property of the United States" ground of (and badly at that), it had been bead blasted and reblued, the pony and some of the lettering needed touched up (he doesn't restamp but engraves). He did all that and applied the beautiful oven blue "dull finish" for $322. I also had him restore a rough 1940 Colt M1911A1, it too was also only $322.

__________________
"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper