Colt 1911 etiquette?

zigthiessen

zigthiessen

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What are your thoughts on getting a real Colt 1911, (early model) that is in pretty good condition, with just minor surface scratches refinished? -

It' is currently blued, but has some tarnishes. Is it "wrong" to get it refinished? -

I've heard people say "Yeah, get it refinished, cuz then it's like new!" - and some say "leave it as is... it's worth more!" -

I don't know enough about "old" guns, and what is "proper" when it comes to leaving or refinishing...

your thoughts are appreciated...
 
My answer to your question:

It Depends.

If it is an early Colt 1911 rather than a 1911A1 and not just say an old WW11 mixed parts gun, then IMO I would leave it as is.

Some of the early Colts are collector's items & others will be at some point.
What you have is impossible to determine without some pictures and other details such as the year it was made etc.

However if you have it refinished you will destroy any collectors value that it might have.

You may be pleasantly surprised to find out what your old early Colt is worth.
 
Do you plan on selling it or keeping it? How would you prefer it? People tell me do it this way or do it that way all the time...and I tell them where to put their opinions lol. Battle scars add character IMO, but at the same time it's not going to be my gun. Do what's going to make you happy, and best suits the purpose of the gun.
 
the minute you get it refinished the collector's value goes WAY down- replacing worn parts with the same vintage is ok if you can find, but re-finish- no way- get a "beater" 1911 if there is such a thing- even the ww2 are worth more "unrestored"
 
Refinish an old Colt 1911? = Don't Do It!

A Colt is a Colt is a Colt.... as long as it remains original/correct/unrefinished. That is all. ;)
 
I once sold an original 1911 to a fellow, the next time i saw him with the pistol he had cut the hammer spur off! He explained something about something but i wasn't really listening. The feeling in the pit of my stomach never really has gone away.
 
I've got a 1911 Colt with a W series serial number which is registered as a 455 and apparently made for the British army in 1916. Unfortunately it was converted to 45 sometime in the past. I've been looking for a .455 slide and barrel for years. It has some scratches etc but I am leaving it alone.
 
The value of your 1911 MAY be, say $900 ,if you spent $200 to $300 getting it reblued, it MAY now be worth $500.
 
if it is in good shape....sell it and buy a new gun...end of problem. you might even make some money. lots of 1911 "clones" around---ie norinco
 
Thank you all for your comments! I think I may just leave it as is... It's in pretty good shape, the main areas that bothered me where the front of the grip, and near the barrel where the slide has rubbed some of the finish off... Perhaps I'll just go and buy myself a norinco for modification purposes.... Anyway, here's a picture of it in it's current state...
coltz.jpg
 
Very Nice.

The trigger is not correct also from the picture the mainspring housing looks to be arched, if it is its also not correct. With a little effort those parts can be sourced.
 
Paulinski said:
Very Nice.

The trigger is not correct also from the picture the mainspring housing looks to be arched, if it is its also not correct. With a little effort those parts can be sourced.
Click to expand...

+1

Look around for the long trigger and flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop and you're in business.

If the other side of your pistol looks like the side shown in the pic you have a beautiful example of a commercial Colt Government 1911.
 
Good thing you didn't refinish it. It's a beauty. Better that people look at it and say "Hubba Bubba that's sweet" then "ohhh, a bubba". Aheh!
 
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