Value of damaged 1911?

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762shooter

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A friend has an old US military 1911. It is marked "US Property" but it was nickel plated a long time ago and doesn't look very good so no collector value. The slide has a 3/8" crack at the back of the right side and the barrel appears to be quite worn. Is this worth trying to restore with a new slide, barrel and some kind of refinishing? Could the crack in the slide be tig welded?

Would it be worth say, $150 as parts?
 
I am not an expert on 1911's but I would question this one.

Sounds like an old gun & I would then have to wonder what kind of condition the frame would be in. The way you describe it , only the frame has the most potential value if it is good shape.
My opinion only. See what others have to say.
 
762shooter said:
Would it be worth say, $150 as parts?
Click to expand...

Probably worth $150 at least for parts if the frame is servicable [despite the nickel finish]. If nothing else it could be done up for the platform for a .22 conversion unit.

Posting some pics of this relic - showing each side would probably be better for giving a better value estimate...;)
 
if the slide is worn the frame rails are probably worn too... If it's original then it's need new springs and a possibly pins.... May not be worth more then the bare frame about $100-$150 but that only if the frames rails are still good...
 
I own a mint cond 1945 Colt US Army M1911A1 with all of its original parts (except for firing pin).

I would tell you that that gun is worth more as parts (original old parts) to some folks looking for that sort of thing as opposed to turning it into a Franken-gun that will never have the value or performance of a newer, better, less worn unit. It'll be money foregone and wasted.

It's all in how and where you market it.
 
Personnaly, I wouldn't buy it... If the slide is cracked, god only knows the abuse the frame had to go thru. Been nickle plated is just another reason to stay away...

Beside, even after dumping $$ in it, you'll still be stuck with a re-done beater. If you are short on cash, save a few more $ and buy a new Norinco.
 
You could make some good money parting it out, matching original grips, main spring housing, hammer, sear, pins and safety lever etc... all worth something to the right person. I've seen a shot out 1911 barrel go for over 100 here on the EE.

If its an original WW1 era 1911 (were they stamped as 'us property' as well as the 1911A1's?) the peices would be worth more.
 
Hi

Once it got nickel plated, forget about collector value for the frame, slide or MSH (or any other plated part). If the barrel is shot out, there's not a lot there. Many of the nickel plated pistols have started to "bubble". If yours has that on top of all the other issues, I simply would walk away from it.

Bob
 
If you get this gun for $150 and replace the barrel ($80 used+ SHIPPING) and slide ($139 norinco from marstar+ SHIPPING), you have $369 + into the gun (and maybe a gunsmith has to fit some of the parts) and a new NORINCO .45 COSTS $325+ SHIPPING and you get some kind of warrentee. If you had some gunsmithing skills and already had a bunch of spare parts bought at gunshows and where ever ,this might be an okay deal.
 
762shooter said:
A friend has an old US military 1911. It is marked "US Property" but it was nickel plated a long time ago and doesn't look very good so no collector value. The slide has a 3/8" crack at the back of the right side and the barrel appears to be quite worn. Is this worth trying to restore with a new slide, barrel and some kind of refinishing? Could the crack in the slide be tig welded?

Would it be worth say, $150 as parts?
Click to expand...

I'd take it for $150 pending viewing of pics of both sides. I've got enough spares in the parts box to make it into a fully functioning 1911 again... ;)
 
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