value of 43 colt 1911

BoogieMan · April 28, 2015, 11:25 AM

Found a colt 1943, 1911.
condition is 95% plus. Very light holster wear and a couple of nicks from the link pin but no idiot mark.
$1250 firm. Should I jump on it
numbers match

Jim Watson · April 28, 2015, 12:06 PM

I don't usually get into Internet Price Is Right, but the way surplus .45s have been going, that is an excellent deal. Assuming it is all original. Good that the numbers match; what about the barrel?

BoogieMan · April 28, 2015, 12:09 PM

Are you asking if the numbers match on barrel or the condition?
Condition is A++. This gun probably has a round count at the most a few hundred.

RickB · April 28, 2015, 12:37 PM

If the gun is as described, $1250 is a bargain.
Matching slide and frame is given too much importance, but that's the way the market works.

Jim Watson · April 28, 2015, 12:54 PM

The barrel will not be numbered but a 1943 Colt barrel was marked "Colt .45 Auto" on the lower left side of the chamber, just above the link lug and "P" on the link lug. Probably an "F", "N", "D", or "7" on the bottom of the barrel; maybe a leftover "G" barrel depending on when in 1943.

A High Standard or Flannery Bolt barrel would definitely be a replacement, as would one with Colt 45 Auto on the top of the chamber.

T. O'Heir · April 28, 2015, 01:08 PM

You mean a milsurp 1911A1?
I've seen mix masters on-line at well over 2 grand USD. A guy on M14forum.com was selling one in 2011 for $3500. Either the seller has no idea what he has, it's not a '43 vintage milsurp or he's messing with the world. A few hundred rounds only isn't likely either. However, if a miracle is happening, you 'd best jump on it PDQ.

BoogieMan · April 28, 2015, 02:13 PM

Just came back from giving LGS my money. It is a '42 not a '43. Stamped with WB. Everything that you guys have mentioned (thank you) checked out. Feed ramp has no sign of marks from feeding ball ammo and isnt park, the top of barrel has only one line from the slide being racked, new detent on hammer face, all that together leads me to believe that shot count is very low. After seeing it again in better light I will say that the finish is more like 90% not 90-95%. Has a few nicks, most likely from the last owner who inherited it and sold it to my LGS. LGS probably bought it for under $500. I cant wait to pick it up. Have to wait for my NJ pistol purchase permits to come in. Hope its soon

KeithNyst · April 28, 2015, 03:06 PM

If all the finish and parts are orignal and 90%, to me it sounds like $2500+ pistol. Look forward to detail pics.

Jim Watson · April 28, 2015, 03:54 PM

WB?
Are you kidding me?
Col. Waldemar Broberg was chief inspector at Colt for not quite a year, not the shortest term on record but close.
Adds more value.

BoogieMan · April 29, 2015, 05:57 AM

I was comfortable with the purchase. But, you guys have me very excited now. I hope I didnt miss anything and it turns out to be a dud. This is my first historical firearm with any significance. All my other old stuff is Com Bloc and has very low collector value like M1895, or was bought new like 460xvr.
Now I have to find a '42 Garand to match the M1911.
I am 2 weeks into my wait for my NJ Permits, hoping that I have them within another 2-weeks.

Northrider · April 30, 2015, 01:36 AM

Congratulations on a great find to add to your collection. The word envious comes to mind.

April 28, 2015, 11:25 AM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	value of 43 colt 1911 Found a colt 1943, 1911. condition is 95% plus. Very light holster wear and a couple of nicks from the link pin but no idiot mark. $1250 firm. Should I jump on it numbers match __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

April 28, 2015, 12:09 PM	#3
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Are you asking if the numbers match on barrel or the condition? Condition is A++. This gun probably has a round count at the most a few hundred. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

April 28, 2015, 12:37 PM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	If the gun is as described, $1250 is a bargain. Matching slide and frame is given too much importance, but that's the way the market works. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

April 28, 2015, 01:08 PM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You mean a milsurp 1911A1? I've seen mix masters on-line at well over 2 grand USD. A guy on M14forum.com was selling one in 2011 for $3500. Either the seller has no idea what he has, it's not a '43 vintage milsurp or he's messing with the world. A few hundred rounds only isn't likely either. However, if a miracle is happening, you 'd best jump on it PDQ. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

April 28, 2015, 02:13 PM	#7
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Just came back from giving LGS my money. It is a '42 not a '43. Stamped with WB. Everything that you guys have mentioned (thank you) checked out. Feed ramp has no sign of marks from feeding ball ammo and isnt park, the top of barrel has only one line from the slide being racked, new detent on hammer face, all that together leads me to believe that shot count is very low. After seeing it again in better light I will say that the finish is more like 90% not 90-95%. Has a few nicks, most likely from the last owner who inherited it and sold it to my LGS. LGS probably bought it for under $500. I cant wait to pick it up. Have to wait for my NJ pistol purchase permits to come in. Hope its soon __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

April 28, 2015, 12:06 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	I don't usually get into Internet Price Is Right, but the way surplus .45s have been going, that is an excellent deal. Assuming it is all original. Good that the numbers match; what about the barrel?

April 28, 2015, 12:54 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	The barrel will not be numbered but a 1943 Colt barrel was marked "Colt .45 Auto" on the lower left side of the chamber, just above the link lug and "P" on the link lug. Probably an "F", "N", "D", or "7" on the bottom of the barrel; maybe a leftover "G" barrel depending on when in 1943. A High Standard or Flannery Bolt barrel would definitely be a replacement, as would one with Colt 45 Auto on the top of the chamber.

April 28, 2015, 03:06 PM	#8
KeithNyst Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 13	If all the finish and parts are orignal and 90%, to me it sounds like $2500+ pistol. Look forward to detail pics.

April 28, 2015, 03:54 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	WB? Are you kidding me? Col. Waldemar Broberg was chief inspector at Colt for not quite a year, not the shortest term on record but close. Adds more value.

April 29, 2015, 05:57 AM	#10
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I was comfortable with the purchase. But, you guys have me very excited now. I hope I didnt miss anything and it turns out to be a dud. This is my first historical firearm with any significance. All my other old stuff is Com Bloc and has very low collector value like M1895, or was bought new like 460xvr. Now I have to find a '42 Garand to match the M1911. I am 2 weeks into my wait for my NJ Permits, hoping that I have them within another 2-weeks. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

April 30, 2015, 01:36 AM	#11
Northrider Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 228	Congratulations on a great find to add to your collection. The word envious comes to mind.