[Pmangelos]

What’s the general feeling on the originality and value on this 1911. It’s available locally to me and I don’t see early guns very often. This gun looks better in person than in these pictures, but it has a pretty major flaw in the finish on the slide. I’m not sure what happened to the gun but it’s quite worn in one spot. The seller wants $3750, is this completely out of line or is it in the ballpark? Any major red flags other than the finish on the slide?
thanks in advance
Paul

 

[Pmangelos]

Some more pictures

 

[stan3]

Some more pictures View attachment 723046 View attachment 723047 View attachment 723048 View attachment 723049 View attachment 723050 View attachment 723051 View attachment 723052 View attachment 723053 View attachment 723054 View attachment 723055

Pmangelos,

No 20510 is one of 200 (20501 - 20700) that shipped 25 Jan 1913.

It looks original (correct) except the Magazine. Most likely, it would have shipped with a COLT M1911 "Key Hole (punch-and-saw cut) mag.

Best Regards,

P.S. Some typical key-hole mags (getting hard to find ?).

 

[victorio1sw]

What’s the general feeling on the originality and value on this 1911. It’s available locally to me and I don’t see early guns very often. This gun looks better in person than in these pictures, but it has a pretty major flaw in the finish on the slide. I’m not sure what happened to the gun but it’s quite worn in one spot. The seller wants $3750, is this completely out of line or is it in the ballpark? Any major red flags other than the finish on the slide?
thanks in advance
Paul View attachment 723039 View attachment 723040 View attachment 723041 View attachment 723042 View attachment 723043 View attachment 723044 View attachment 723045

Overall, it looks like a pretty nice early Colt 1911 (1913). Perhaps that worn place is the result of carrying tucked inside a belt or tight-fitting holster.

 

[CJS57]

The worn area on the slide was scrubbed not worn from normal usage. Probably from initials scratched on the slide and then an attempt to remove them. Overall still a nice example if you can live with the bad spot.

 

[Sergio Natali]

Looks nice to me.
I don't know in the States but here in Europe that pistol would probably be more expensive than that.
To me looks all correct a part from the magazine. Correct stocks too. Is the barrel still blue? I'd like to see the marks on top of the barrel.
MSH pin inserted the wrong way round.

 

[kwill]

Could you post a close-up of the serial number? It looks a little suspect to me.

 

[JohnnyP]

Fine emery cloth used to remove rust on the slide and front of grip strap. Otherwise a pretty nice early 1911. Agree on magazine.

 

[Pmangelos]

Thanks for all the responses so far, here’s a couple of pictures of the serial number from different angles, and one of the magazine spine.

 

[bigwagon]

The slide does look like somebody buffed off something that was lightly marked on it.

 

[marrunred]

Most folks are hesitant to give pricing opinions. You probably already know this but I'd research on line bidding and auction sites (GunBroker, Rock Island, Morphy Auction, etc.) to see where the pricing for a M1911 from 1913 is. I've seen great examples go for a much higher price but it always comes back to condition. If you are comfortable making a lower offer, it never hurts to ask. IMHO

 

[OD*]

Appears the barrel has been "throated".

 

[Buickgsman]

I'd pay that. The spot sucks but thats a nice enough gun. And the money isn't unreasonable.

 

[Pmangelos]

Thank you all for your comments, I agree that the slide has been intentionally scrubbed and that is my greatest concern, it makes it difficult to judge value. In the end it is all in the eye of the buyer. I also agree that it looks as if the barrel has been throated, I missed that. It seems as if the price is in the ballpark and that is what is important.

Sincerely,
Paul

 

[victorio1sw]

The worn area on the slide was scrubbed not worn from normal usage. Probably from initials scratched on the slide and then an attempt to remove them. Overall still a nice example if you can live with the bad spot.

It can be touched up to look better, although it will never look totally correct.

 

[JohnnyP]

The barrels appear to have been throated by hand when manufactured, and will show varying amounts of metal removed.

 

[victorio1sw]

The barrels appear to have been throated by hand when manufactured, and will show varying amounts of metal removed.

Very good info and pics! I wasn't aware of this being done, but guess that this procedure was done to reduce chance of jamming. You are saying that both of these barrel examples were throated by Colt?

 

[JohnnyP]

All the barrels were throated to assist proper feeding. Both barrels shown are Springfield.

Barrels to be used with semi-wadcutter ammunition are usually throated even more.

 

[CLASSIC12]

I recently bought a late 1913, on which the finished was entirely removed by a previous owner, so the one you’re looking at has got at least 80% more finish than mine

I had it reblued

I can’t comment on the value since I am in Switzerland

 

[victorio1sw]

I recently bought a late 1913, on which the finished was entirely removed by a previous owner, so the one you’re looking at has got at least 80% more finish than mine

I had it reblued

I can’t comment on the value since I am in Switzerland

Looks like the polishers did a nice job on your frame and slide, prior to bluing. A much better appearance in this case - than with the finish stripped.