Posted on 08/06/2017 6:43:31 PM PDT by Strac6
In 1971, at a small USAR unit in upstate NY, I was assigned a Colt 1911 pistol. It was in the shape you would expect it to have been in after a few wars, etc. There were many obvious non-original parts, worn blueing, etc.
The interesting item was that it a real Colt, not another manufacturer, and the serial number was 000086. I don't remember how many digits were in front of the 86, but as I remember, they were all zeros. It was definitely not a 1911A1. The armorer said it was most probably the eighty sixth Colt Automatic Pistol Model 1911 made by Colt.
Anyone have any idea what it would have been worth if any of my dreams about getting it "off the books" ever come to fruition?
Hard to say after all these years if what you saw was a 1911, not a 1911A1, but it is not out of the realm of possibilities in 1971 to have a 60 year old firearm in an Army Reserve armory.
You can get a nice Ruger SR1911 New for under $700.
The item you have is good for a mantel display piece - worn,non original parts and questional safety. Value might be $500.
My 1911A1 Series 80 Colt is about 8 years old. I absolutely do not remember the manufacturer of the 1911 I used in the Army in the late 60’s. No doubt many years, maybe even decades newer than your low SN# gun.
In reality, very little.
the 86th 1911 pistol in used condition could bring upwards of 30K, but not one used and abused in the military for decades.
Old doesn’t always mean valuable.
It was definitely a 1911, not an A1. No trigger area cutout.
As far as having a 60 year old weapon, this unit was so bad, in the event of DEFCON 1, pregnant women and children went before we did. I’m surprised we not have Sharps Calvary Carbines in the arms room.
I do not recall seeing any low digit serial numbered Colt 1911’s with zero’s in front of them. I wonder if it was a rework of some type? IMHO the serial numbering went right along from a 1911 model into the 1911A1 model.
Thanks. It was a fun dream while it lasted....
Sounds like it was beat up some...
Time to relegate it to a “hanging piece” (cleaned and on you wall.)
I never could hit anything with one of these...
Probably not worth all that much if it’s a mixed-parts gun.
Beat up?
It had probably been used to pound in tent stakes in the Belleau Woods!
I could still qualify with it though, which was basically nothing more than putting 7 rounds on paper at 15 meters.
Be well.
On second thought, it was more like 15 feet!
:)
Dont be so quick to dismiss its potential value. The frame and slide are the most important parts and it if they are very early they could be worth thousands to a collector.
It was a real POS, but a great POS! It rattled loudly when you shook by hand it if there was no round in the mag to press up against the slide.
Thanks
Anybody at all who claims that an original 1911 is "only worth $500" is either completely uninformed or trying to gyp you down so he can get it cheap.
Defies belief that anyone would think that a Colt made 1911 would become "dangerous" to shoot even after a century. It is an excellent, robust design and they will live on long after these cheesy copies are in a landfill.
I know a fellow that has a 1875 Colt SAA (Peacemaker) It was old, worn, original but functional. It had a value of about 2K dollars.
Against my advice, he took it to a gunsmith and had it “repaired”, detail restored, and reblued. The value now???
About $200. Shoots great!
It now sits in a display case on his mantle; as a monument to stupidity.
All those zeroes sound a bit odd to me too but I really don’t know.
If it were mine in that condition, I would have it refurbished and shoot it.
Lots of “ifs” in your post. You are assuming arsenal rebuilds. I am assuming unit level replacement of parts, and a thoroughly used slide/grip set. IF the original slide/grip are still together.
My “ifs” are far more likely than yours....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.