WWI era commerical Colt 1911 value

[Ar180shooter]

Hi,

I came across this and I'm trying to get a good estimate for the value. It's a WWI era Commercial Colt 1911, Serial No. is C 7###, old style rounded sights, nice blued finish, finely checkered hammer, very good condition, comes with original box (box is in rough shape). The blue book of gun values puts it at around $2000 given its good condition, I just want to know if that's accurate or if I've misidentified it.

 

[tiriaq]

I think you've got it. Looks to be original, not messed with. Assuming it is, I could see it going for more than that in the US, that much here.
Send a PM to NAA, ask his opinion.

 

[Ganderite]

Could it be a Canadian contract pistol?

 

[Ar180shooter]

Could it be a Canadian contract pistol?

Quite possibly, the owner (90 years old) said a family member (Grandfather I think) used it in WWI, I'm not sure how to tell, what features would I look for? The serial number is right in the range of early Commercial Colt 1911's, but AFAIK there were 1000 Contract colt 1911's in the 3000-8400 serial no. range. I can't see a C broad arrow stamp on the magazine.

How much would that impact the price?

 

[tiriaq]

Is there a list of serials of the pistols that Sam Hughes purchased?

 

[Ar180shooter]

Is there a list of serials of the pistols that Sam Hughes purchased?

I'm not sure but would I be able to get a letter from Colt on the original recipient of the pistol?

 

[tiriaq]

Yes, although these letters are pricey.

 

[Garand]

Canadian Contract Colts

Colt Commercial Model 1911 Pistol, Date of Manufacture 1914, Canadian Contract
The 5,000 pistol procurement was s/n ranges:
Sep 11, 1914 1,000 C3000-8400
Sep 24, 1914 300 C5400-C8700
Sep 29, 1914 300 C8000-C9500
Sep 30, 1914 100 C8500- C9700
Oct 1, 1914 180 C8500-C9700
Oct 2, 1914 120 C5700-C9700
Shipped to Gov't of Canada, dept. of Militia & Defense, c/o J. Wesley, Waddington, NY
3,000 more were shipped to HW Brown, Quebec, Canada for a total of 5,000.
Oct 31, 1914 1,000 C7900-11400
Nov 7, 1914 1,000 C9800-C12700
Nov 14, 1914 1,000 C11100-C13500

I have been fortunate to own 7 of these handguns in the past. Depending on the serial number, originality of the parts on the pistol (based on the stampings), finish of the pistol, if it has been bubba'd, if you have a $100.00 Colt letter proving it was a "Canadian Contract" you could ask anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 for one in 95(+)% finish (I only know of 2 in that condition). Plus if you have any accessories like pre 1916 spare Colt magazines, 1914 dated Mills magazine pouch (1 of 5,000), 1914 dated Mills holster (1 of 5,000) this would add additional value

http://www.snapagogo.com

 

[hatman1793]

Not to throw a fly into the ointment, but looks like a re-blue job. Perhaps a much older re-blue job and some subsequent holster wear? Reasonable doubt? Can it be actually substantiated its the original blue?

 

[Ar180shooter]

What makes you say it looks like a re-blue job? Keep in mind the picture was taken with my cell phone under flourescent lighting.

 

[hatman1793]

From the pictures provided, there appears to be no patina happening, or aging of the original blue. The safety & the slide stop are a different not matching shade. The rear view of the slide/frame/hammer has a bright shiny appearance.
Perhaps some better non-cellphone pictures?

 

[Ar180shooter]

From the pictures provided, there appears to be no patina happening, or aging of the original blue. The safety & the slide stop are a different not matching shade. The rear view of the slide/frame/hammer has a bright shiny appearance.
Perhaps some better non-cellphone pictures?

Ok, yah if those are your objections then I'm almost positive it is not refinished. The parts you mention are all uniform in finish to the frame and there is a slight patina especially around the front and rear of the grip. The gun has spent most of the last 70 years in grease and only occasionally being taken to the range. The gun should be fairly shiny with its original bluing job.

 

[NAA]

I think you've got it. Looks to be original, not messed with. Assuming it is, I could see it going for more than that in the US, that much here.
Send a PM to NAA, ask his opinion.

Just stumbled onto this thread....

Here's my 2 cents.... On cursory look the pistol looks to be original finish... quickest way to tell, besides thinning on script/patent date edges etc, for me is to see if it's got old scratches in it that are "blued over".... a deep enough scratch will show some "in the white" reveal of the bare metal under the original finish.... typically, these old beauties get the "idiot scratch" on the frame under the slide stop from re-assembly after a field strip/cleaning etc.... If there is any "re-blue" it usually will show here for sure..... As to value.... short answer is "they aren't making any more" of these.... Value will be dictated what the current market will bear... It's not hard to sell an honest wear example in the $1,600 + area.... if the finish is better than a typical example then price rises as over all finish rises.... A few years back I saw a very pristine one go for around $4K [it was the best one I'd ever seen with a 4 digit C prefix serial number].

Also, it a particular example has some verifiable providence then that could also skew the value to the positive as well.

-----------------
NAA.