Old colt pistol value

notsorichguy

notsorichguy

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What's this thing worth? I have the opertunity to buy it, but I think he's asking too much.....

Any info at all would help....

Government model
Colt automatic calibre 455

Lots of the blueing has been removed with a scotch brite pad by the look of it.....

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Cheers!
 
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notsorichguy said:
That's what I thought......

But would be a reasonable offer?

My initial thought was $500-600. But this one is a British contract 1911 in 455 webley.....
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From a collector's standpoint the fact that the original blueing has been destroyed is a real negative. It now has limited collector value in my opinion. Others here will no doubt disagree. It you want a 1911 as a shooter I'd look at different choices. I hesitate to put a price on it in the condition that it is in.
rfo1
 
Pretty hard to fake serial numbers and the grips look correct,could be a serious case of holster rash on the finish but I would check under the grip on the left side behind the trigger...if the scratches go under the grips someone has messed with it.
 
Skinny 1950 said:
Pretty hard to fake serial numbers and the grips look correct,could be a serious case of holster rash on the finish but I would check under the grip on the left side behind the trigger...if the scratches go under the grips someone has messed with it.
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I had it completely apart. The scratches continue under the grip panels. I have seen holster wear, this ain't it..... I personally have removed blueing with a scotch brite scubbing pad and this is exactly the same look when about half finished the removal of blue. My suspicion is that there was surface rust and this was the method of removal......... Personally I would have preferred the rust!

I already have 8 1911s that are shooters. Buying this one as shooter never crossed my mind. I don't have one and as far as I'm concerned I'll take this one untill I find one that is minty.....

The $1500 price I believe is a high starting point, he is not a motivated seller...... It is wishfull thinking IMHO. I told him 5-600 was my first initial guesstimate but to be honest Ive never seen one of these before so I was willing to believe I was out to lunch as much as he was.....

I would really like to make him an honest offer on it..... I may not get it, but if it is actually worth more than I think it is I would like to know!

If the pistol was minty (or at least not buggered with) I would have seriously considered paying close to the asking price........

Cheers!
 
I bought this gun off the EE it was supposed to be a Canadian Contract issue...not,the grips were not original and it appears to have been refinished. The sights had been converted to adjustable target type, it was made in 1917,it had been shot a lot and I had to replace the perhaps non-original barrel. I knew about the sights and grips going in but was mislead on the Canadian Contract thing as well as the refinishing job. I paid $875 for it and put another $180 for new grips and barrel.
So for $1055 I have a somewhat original fine shooting gun that is experienced and I am not embarrassed to take it to the range.

1911inDaylight001.jpg
 
I agree with "rfo1". The pistol looks worked over. It needs to be checked for the condition of the barrel interior surfaces, the engagements of sear and safety, and feed, function and ejection. That's a lot to do, especially if the seller isn't near you. Your best protection, I think is to try to work with a much more modest price than $1500.

The surface condition of the gun doesn't justify that kind of price. It's apparently old, but the condition isn't very good. There are a lot less expensive 1911 shooters out there, if that's what you're looking for. If you're looking for a collectible, keep the buying price low because undoubtedly in a relatively short while you'll be selling it for something better.

Best of luck with it.
 
Does it have the original barrel and mag? They are very tough to find and expensive. If it is missing the barrel and mag, that hurts it further. I would not pay $1500 either way. You might want to try an offer of what you think is fair. I might be looking for one of these, so if you decide against it . . .
 
The pistol is local to me. I can look it I over as much as i like..... As long as its on a Saturday..... :)

The barrel in the pistol is not chambered in 45acp. If I buy the gun, and I do mean if, I can slug the barrel and do a proper inspection on the barrel. The only calibre that makes sense after using a pair of calipers on the chamber is 455 web. The magazine has a lanyard loop on the bottom of the mag and appears to be about the same age as the rest of the pistol. There are no markings that I remember on the mag. I did not notice any markings on the barrel, but there were quite a few markings on the frame by the disconnector.

The sear to hammer engagement looked to be adaquate. Safety's all work. The gun seems to be in great shape as far as shoot ability goes.

Cheers!
 
I'm quite sure that all the .455 mags that I have seen are marked .455 on the base. They also are slightly larger than a .45 mag. The mag well on the pistol also is larger than on a .45 frame.

Many or most .455 barrels have a W or E in front of the lugs. But not all .455 barrels are marked that way. Since the .455 Auto is a semi-rimless cartridge, the back of the barrel is cut for the cartridge. Compare a .455 barrel to a .45 barrel and you will see the difference.
 
In good condition, .455 1911's are worth a fair amount. This one sadly has lost it's collectors value.

I think if you can get it for $600 it could be a worthwhile project, but $1500 is way too much. It sounds like it doesn't have all the correct parts either.

-Steve
 
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