Colt 1911 Value

Sphawley · January 7, 2013, 10:58 PM

I've always been more of a long gun guy so I am somewhat uneducated in this area and hopefully someone can help me out here.

I have a friend looking to sell a A WWI Colt 1911 passed down through the family from her grandfather. The family says this weapon was issued to him during WWI from the US army. There are no serial numbers on this weapon so it makes identification a little tougher. Assuming this weapon is in good condition whats a fair price for a weapon like this?

Is there anyway to verify this is actually US army issue 1911?

lamarw · January 8, 2013, 12:04 AM

Unfortunately, the pistol is worth the sum of some of the parts. You have a serious problem if the serial number is missing. The way I understand it, the old workhorse maybe illegal if in fact the serial number has been removed.

You do need to take this very seriousely to keep from having the weapon confiscated and possible legal implications.

I hope I have misunderstood the situation and there is a serial number on the right side of the receiver.

Buzzcook · January 8, 2013, 12:12 AM

The serial number should be on the right side frame, just above the trigger.

If the gun is old and well used the SN might be hard to read. Rub some talc or chalk over the area and wipe with a slightly damp cloth. That should help you see what's there.

If the gun truly has no SN, then your friend will have problems selling the gun.

Smit · January 8, 2013, 12:49 AM

Honestly, I would try to convince your friend to keep the pistol. The sentimental value alone would keep me from ever selling anything like this.

**Aguila Blanca** · January 8, 2013, 01:30 PM

Lamarw is correct. Federal law and the laws of many states make it a felony to possess a firearm with the serial number altered, removed, or obscured. Sadly, even though the removal was probably done generations ago and before it was illegal, it is illegal today to even possess that firearm. THAT PISTOL IS TOXIC.

The BATFE used to have a program for issuing new serial numbers for such old, collectable firearms. I have a friend who is a police officer and a Colt collector. In the past, he has helped people work with the BATFE to obtain new serial numbers.

About a year ago, he told me the BATFE stopped being helpful on this and that they won't do it any more. What they told him seems to have spooked him enough that he now says he doesn't even want to talk to people who have such pistols.

Your friend should disassemble the pistol, sell the individual parts for whatever she can get for them, and throw the receiver off a boat in the middle of a lake somewhere.

lamarw · January 8, 2013, 05:15 PM

Thanks Aquilla Blanca for stating what I was a little leary of getting into with my initial response.

All is not lost since there can be significant value to many of the parts. I have sold a nice Colt slide of this era for over $400.00. The barrel might be valueable dependent upon the markings such as an HP intertwined marking on it. I have seen some of the original two tone magazines sell for well over a hundred.

The receiver with the serial number removed/altered could be worth jail time and a stiff fine. I am not an expert in this area (Thank God).

January 7, 2013, 10:58 PM	#1
Sphawley Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	Colt 1911 Value I've always been more of a long gun guy so I am somewhat uneducated in this area and hopefully someone can help me out here. I have a friend looking to sell a A WWI Colt 1911 passed down through the family from her grandfather. The family says this weapon was issued to him during WWI from the US army. There are no serial numbers on this weapon so it makes identification a little tougher. Assuming this weapon is in good condition whats a fair price for a weapon like this? Is there anyway to verify this is actually US army issue 1911? __________________ If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars make people drive drunk, and spoons made Rosie O' Donnell fat!

January 8, 2013, 12:49 AM	#4
Smit Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2012 Posts: 335	Honestly, I would try to convince your friend to keep the pistol. The sentimental value alone would keep me from ever selling anything like this. __________________ "Vegetarian, an old Indian word for bad hunter."

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

January 8, 2013, 12:04 AM	#2
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Unfortunately, the pistol is worth the sum of some of the parts. You have a serious problem if the serial number is missing. The way I understand it, the old workhorse maybe illegal if in fact the serial number has been removed. You do need to take this very seriousely to keep from having the weapon confiscated and possible legal implications. I hope I have misunderstood the situation and there is a serial number on the right side of the receiver.

January 8, 2013, 12:12 AM	#3
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	The serial number should be on the right side frame, just above the trigger. If the gun is old and well used the SN might be hard to read. Rub some talc or chalk over the area and wipe with a slightly damp cloth. That should help you see what's there. If the gun truly has no SN, then your friend will have problems selling the gun.

January 8, 2013, 01:30 PM	#5
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,457	Lamarw is correct. Federal law and the laws of many states make it a felony to possess a firearm with the serial number altered, removed, or obscured. Sadly, even though the removal was probably done generations ago and before it was illegal, it is illegal today to even possess that firearm. THAT PISTOL IS TOXIC. The BATFE used to have a program for issuing new serial numbers for such old, collectable firearms. I have a friend who is a police officer and a Colt collector. In the past, he has helped people work with the BATFE to obtain new serial numbers. About a year ago, he told me the BATFE stopped being helpful on this and that they won't do it any more. What they told him seems to have spooked him enough that he now says he doesn't even want to talk to people who have such pistols. Your friend should disassemble the pistol, sell the individual parts for whatever she can get for them, and throw the receiver off a boat in the middle of a lake somewhere.

January 8, 2013, 05:15 PM	#6
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Thanks Aquilla Blanca for stating what I was a little leary of getting into with my initial response. All is not lost since there can be significant value to many of the parts. I have sold a nice Colt slide of this era for over $400.00. The barrel might be valueable dependent upon the markings such as an HP intertwined marking on it. I have seen some of the original two tone magazines sell for well over a hundred. The receiver with the serial number removed/altered could be worth jail time and a stiff fine. I am not an expert in this area (Thank God).