Got a line on a 1915-1916 Colt 1911 in .455 for British / Commonwealth use in WW 1 , pistol is mint , all original , One of 11,000 produced and I assume one of very few to escape the trenches, what kind of value am I looking at ????
'WW l' 1911 ( 455 government model )
- Thread starter jennis
- Start date
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
.455 1911
Best advice I can offer is have someone very knowledgable in 1911's inspect it personally. Fellows like NAA, Beaver.455 and others come to mind. With the rising value of "collector-grade" 1911/1911A1's, you want to really be careful. Lots of pieces out there that have been fiddled with. .455 barrels and mags can easily fetch $300+ on the open market. Often you'll see .455 1911's that have been switched to .45ACP and putting one back to .455 is not easy or cheap.
Cheers
Geoff
Best advice I can offer is have someone very knowledgable in 1911's inspect it personally. Fellows like NAA, Beaver.455 and others come to mind. With the rising value of "collector-grade" 1911/1911A1's, you want to really be careful. Lots of pieces out there that have been fiddled with. .455 barrels and mags can easily fetch $300+ on the open market. Often you'll see .455 1911's that have been switched to .45ACP and putting one back to .455 is not easy or cheap.
Cheers
Geoff
NAA 1911's
NAA.
The North American Arms Co. Ltd., Quebec City, Quebec, Canada was awarded a contract on July 1 1918, to manufacture M1911 pistols at the rate of 2000 pistols per day, at a cost of $15.50 each.
NAA (North American Arms) leased the old Ross Rifle Plant in Quebec City for the manufacture of the pistol. Few details are known about the operation, and no pistols were delivered. The Company however did reach the pre-production stage of manufacturing, and approximately 100 toolroom/pre-production pistols were made. Pistol serial number 46 was submitted to the Claims Board for inspection in the Spring of 1920. The claims board was set up to examine and settle any claims arising out of canceled contracts and the like. The board members included Colonel Gilbert H. Stewart, later Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory.
NAA pistols had all of the normal characteristics that a Colts M1911 had but were marked differently. The left slide legend had the manufacturers name and address. The serial number was marked on the slide just above the thumb safety, the trigger was marked on the Left side, sometimes inside the receiver, and the receiver was marked under the left grip. No inspection or acceptance marks. These pistols are of course quite rare and are seldom sold in original condition. [Reference Charles Clawsons “Colt .45 Service pistols]
NAA (North American Arms) leased the old Ross Rifle Plant in Quebec City for the manufacture of the pistol. Few details are known about the operation, and no pistols were delivered. The Company however did reach the pre-production stage of manufacturing, and approximately 100 toolroom/pre-production pistols were made. Pistol serial number 46 was submitted to the Claims Board for inspection in the Spring of 1920. The claims board was set up to examine and settle any claims arising out of canceled contracts and the like. The board members included Colonel Gilbert H. Stewart, later Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory.
NAA pistols had all of the normal characteristics that a Colts M1911 had but were marked differently. The left slide legend had the manufacturers name and address. The serial number was marked on the slide just above the thumb safety, the trigger was marked on the Left side, sometimes inside the receiver, and the receiver was marked under the left grip. No inspection or acceptance marks. These pistols are of course quite rare and are seldom sold in original condition. [Reference Charles Clawsons “Colt .45 Service pistols]
NAA.
Not saying it isn't possible to have a mint specimen of this particular model, I just haven't ever seen one. Examine it very carefully for 'refinish'.
That said, previous to this year I had not seen a "mint" Colt commercial government model from the 1914 mfg year. There is another board member who has one & I had the pleasure of examining it. And it is mint.
This website has some good info on the .455 models, under the "1911 Gallery":
http://www.coolgunsite.com/
NAA.
I paid $900 for mine, which, while not mint, is very nice and all-original. I got it for less than it's worth and I wouldn't even consider selling it for under $1500.
Well, actually I wouldn't even consider selling it period, but this is hypothetical...
Well, actually I wouldn't even consider selling it period, but this is hypothetical...
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Funny thing about those. They were purchased but with only the original mags. When the army requested spares, they were informed "But you already have a magazine for the pistol!" Apparently someone was thinking WEBLEY Revolver instead of an automatic.
Same thing happened when a British unit indented for HiPowers to replace their revolvers.
"But you ALREADY have your full compliment of pistols!"
Same thing happened when a British unit indented for HiPowers to replace their revolvers.
"But you ALREADY have your full compliment of pistols!"
I do recall being told a story about the Canadian made 1911's. A theif robbed a convenience store in Montreal with one of these 1911's. He stole a couple hundred dollars, and when they cought him they seized the pistol and realized it was one of these rare ones. The joke was that if he sold the 1911, he would have had 10 times the amout he stole.
Not sure if its true but maybe someone recalls exact details of this one.
Not sure if its true but maybe someone recalls exact details of this one.
I've heard that story about a NAA mfg 1911 before....
Whether an 'urban legend' or not.... If it was true, I hope the 1911 made it's way to a museum and not to the local metal chipper afterwards.....
NAA.
Can the public tour this or not?
If not, it should be in the Canadian War Museum so all can see [a piece of Canadian war history, no less].
NAA.
Thats stunning Koldt - is it really yours? If so, you are a very lucky man!
(Please tell me you didn't put the idiot scratch on it)
Since this thread is a complete derail now (not that its a bad derail!), what would be a fair price for an all correct, 85%, 1914 Colt Canadian Contract?
(Please tell me you didn't put the idiot scratch on it
)Since this thread is a complete derail now (not that its a bad derail!), what would be a fair price for an all correct, 85%, 1914 Colt Canadian Contract?
