1911 Argentine Model

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 02:18 PM

So I just picked up a Colt Argentine model up for a steal from a co-worker. It is in rough shape.....meaning all the bluing is gone and there are scratches and knicks everywhere. However, for $200 I couldn't pass it up. I originally wanted to get it and do a custom duracoat job, however, I noticed these can bring a good amount of cash.

My dilema. Is it worth more if I leave it as is, in rough shape or will it be worth the same with a cool desert tan paint job?

Experts weigh in.....thanks!

RickB · August 15, 2016, 02:51 PM

Is it a "Hartford Colt", made by Colt for Argentina, or is it a "Sistema", made in Argentina?
The former are worth more, and the prices on the latter have gone up considerably in the last five years or so, but a gun in "rough shape" doesn't have much value as anything but a shooter.

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 02:56 PM

It looks to be a Hartford.

Hawg · August 15, 2016, 02:57 PM

200 bucks is a steal on a Sistema no matter what shape its in, I would clean it up and leave it as is, not everybody thinks tan guns are cool.

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 02:57 PM

Before I bastardize it, I figured I'd run it by the forum. I like the idea of painting it, but would hate to find out by doing so I dropped the value by $500 or so.

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 03:03 PM

Good to know......maybe I can snap some photos and get a ruling...

T. O'Heir · August 15, 2016, 03:03 PM

It's likely already lost as much collector value as it ever will. Dura-coating it won't change that or increase its value. It's a shooter and that's all. Just being a shooter isn't exactly a horrible thing though.
I'd be inclined to clean up the surface damage first. No files or rotary tools though.
Sistema's do vary in value. Colt made 'em but there were also Argentine made under licence pistols. There's one on Armslist that has been ravaged(finish polished entire off) the guy thinks is worth $475. Another on Gunbroker, from a Florida pawn shop, in good to excellent condition they're asking $275 for.

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 03:27 PM

I would smooth everything out and make it look purdy first.

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 05:30 PM

here's a pic

dahermit · August 15, 2016, 05:50 PM

Quote:

My dilema. Is it worth more if I leave it as is, in rough shape or will it be worth the same with a cool desert tan paint job?

That gun has been highly customized (sights, trigger, hammer, safety lever, grip safety, etc.)...there is zero collector value left. Do what you want to it...you cannot do any harm to it with even more modifications.

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 06:07 PM

Awesome. Thanks for the help. I am actually kind of glad. I really wanted to duracoat one of these with some cool colors.

Cheers!!

armschannel · August 15, 2016, 06:12 PM

One more thing (btw you have all been really helpful, so thanks for that). Will most parts be interchangeable like grips, mags, etc?

Bill DeShivs · August 15, 2016, 07:07 PM

Colt 1911 parts are interchangeable.
BTW- this gun was not built by Colt.

Big Shrek · August 15, 2016, 07:15 PM

One other option is to Flitz polish it until it gleams,
then dunk it in a nice synthetic oil overnight

Have care though, use a flat surface for polishing over/around lettering.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 15, 2016, 07:25 PM

Based on the slide markings, it's a Sistema, and NOT a Colt-built, Hartford contract pistol. I have no idea what it's worth, but I'm pretty sure a desert tan paint job will reduce the value rather than add to it.

James K · August 15, 2016, 07:47 PM

I'm not sure I would put any money at all into that gun. It is a beater, just use it as such (truck gun, beat around gun, etc.).

Jim

CajunBass · August 16, 2016, 04:09 AM

I can't imagine how bad a gun would have to be for painting to add to the value.

Remington74 · August 16, 2016, 05:56 AM

I think that for that gun to have any value other than as a truck or beater gun would be to replace all the modifications that have been done with correct parts.

I don't know how you would "age" them to match the current finish, maybe drag them behind your truck on a gravel road for a mile or two.

This one looks to be pretty close to the condition that a paint job would increase the value.

If it were mine and I thought I'd like to see a paint job refinish on it, I'd do it.

TailGator · August 16, 2016, 11:23 AM

If that picture is life size, you are going to have a devil of a time finding a holster.

(I crack myself up.)

armschannel · August 16, 2016, 12:19 PM

Yeah it is a 1960's sistema. All the serial numbers match. Going to shoot it this weekend. Probably going to clean it up, paint it, and throw some cool grips on it. Should be the best $200 1911 out there!...lol

RickB · August 16, 2016, 12:36 PM

I think the value of the gun as-is will be DIFFERENT from what it would be after a painted finish, but there are probably more than a few people who would prefer a fresh finish to what looks like in-the-white, now.
As a project gun for practicing your spray 'n' bake skills, it's a good subject.
It's not like you're painting digital camo on the Mona Lisa.

armschannel · August 16, 2016, 12:43 PM

That is what I was thinking. I figured it wasn't an amazing find, I just thought for $200 this would give me a fun canvas. I miss my old 1911 and this one will fill the void for a while.

K_Mac · August 16, 2016, 01:38 PM

For $200, if it works well, it was a good deal. Clean it up well and enjoy! If coating it makes you happy, then coat away. It will make a fine woods/truck gun or EDC.

HisSoldier · August 19, 2016, 02:15 AM

Thanks for the idea armschannel, I have a 1900 Colt, the one with links front and back, in 38 auto that I was going to parkerize, but I think I'll have it cerrakoted instead.

Bill DeShivs · August 19, 2016, 11:56 AM

I hope you're joking!

August 15, 2016, 02:18 PM	#1
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	1911 Argentine Model So I just picked up a Colt Argentine model up for a steal from a co-worker. It is in rough shape.....meaning all the bluing is gone and there are scratches and knicks everywhere. However, for $200 I couldn't pass it up. I originally wanted to get it and do a custom duracoat job, however, I noticed these can bring a good amount of cash. My dilema. Is it worth more if I leave it as is, in rough shape or will it be worth the same with a cool desert tan paint job? Experts weigh in.....thanks!

August 15, 2016, 02:51 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Is it a "Hartford Colt", made by Colt for Argentina, or is it a "Sistema", made in Argentina? The former are worth more, and the prices on the latter have gone up considerably in the last five years or so, but a gun in "rough shape" doesn't have much value as anything but a shooter. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

August 15, 2016, 03:03 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	It's likely already lost as much collector value as it ever will. Dura-coating it won't change that or increase its value. It's a shooter and that's all. Just being a shooter isn't exactly a horrible thing though. I'd be inclined to clean up the surface damage first. No files or rotary tools though. Sistema's do vary in value. Colt made 'em but there were also Argentine made under licence pistols. There's one on Armslist that has been ravaged(finish polished entire off) the guy thinks is worth $475. Another on Gunbroker, from a Florida pawn shop, in good to excellent condition they're asking $275 for. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 15, 2016, 07:07 PM	#13
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Colt 1911 parts are interchangeable. BTW- this gun was not built by Colt. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 15, 2016, 07:15 PM	#14
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	One other option is to Flitz polish it until it gleams, then dunk it in a nice synthetic oil overnight Have care though, use a flat surface for polishing over/around lettering. __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 15, 2016, 02:56 PM	#3
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	It looks to be a Hartford.

August 15, 2016, 02:57 PM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	200 bucks is a steal on a Sistema no matter what shape its in, I would clean it up and leave it as is, not everybody thinks tan guns are cool.

August 15, 2016, 03:27 PM	#8
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	I would smooth everything out and make it look purdy first.

August 15, 2016, 06:07 PM	#11
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	Awesome. Thanks for the help. I am actually kind of glad. I really wanted to duracoat one of these with some cool colors. Cheers!!

August 15, 2016, 06:12 PM	#12
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	One more thing (btw you have all been really helpful, so thanks for that). Will most parts be interchangeable like grips, mags, etc?

August 15, 2016, 07:25 PM	#15
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	Based on the slide markings, it's a Sistema, and NOT a Colt-built, Hartford contract pistol. I have no idea what it's worth, but I'm pretty sure a desert tan paint job will reduce the value rather than add to it.

August 15, 2016, 07:47 PM	#16
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I'm not sure I would put any money at all into that gun. It is a beater, just use it as such (truck gun, beat around gun, etc.). Jim

August 16, 2016, 04:09 AM	#17
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I can't imagine how bad a gun would have to be for painting to add to the value. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

August 16, 2016, 05:56 AM	#18
Remington74 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2012 Location: Carthage, NY Posts: 231	I think that for that gun to have any value other than as a truck or beater gun would be to replace all the modifications that have been done with correct parts. I don't know how you would "age" them to match the current finish, maybe drag them behind your truck on a gravel road for a mile or two. This one looks to be pretty close to the condition that a paint job would increase the value. If it were mine and I thought I'd like to see a paint job refinish on it, I'd do it.

August 16, 2016, 11:23 AM	#19
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	If that picture is life size, you are going to have a devil of a time finding a holster. (I crack myself up.)

August 16, 2016, 12:19 PM	#20
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	Yeah it is a 1960's sistema. All the serial numbers match. Going to shoot it this weekend. Probably going to clean it up, paint it, and throw some cool grips on it. Should be the best $200 1911 out there!...lol

August 16, 2016, 12:36 PM	#21
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I think the value of the gun as-is will be DIFFERENT from what it would be after a painted finish, but there are probably more than a few people who would prefer a fresh finish to what looks like in-the-white, now. As a project gun for practicing your spray 'n' bake skills, it's a good subject. It's not like you're painting digital camo on the Mona Lisa. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

August 16, 2016, 12:43 PM	#22
armschannel Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 13	That is what I was thinking. I figured it wasn't an amazing find, I just thought for $200 this would give me a fun canvas. I miss my old 1911 and this one will fill the void for a while.

August 16, 2016, 01:38 PM	#23
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	For $200, if it works well, it was a good deal. Clean it up well and enjoy! If coating it makes you happy, then coat away. It will make a fine woods/truck gun or EDC. __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

August 19, 2016, 02:15 AM	#24
HisSoldier Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2007 Location: Oregoncoast Posts: 1,793	Thanks for the idea armschannel, I have a 1900 Colt, the one with links front and back, in 38 auto that I was going to parkerize, but I think I'll have it cerrakoted instead. __________________ CNC produced 416 stainless triggers to replace the plastic triggers on Colt Mustangs, Mustang Plus II's, MK IV Government .380's and Sig P238's and P938's. Plus Colt Mustang hardened 416 guide rods, and Llama .32 and .380 recoil spring buttons, checkered nicely and blued.

August 19, 2016, 11:56 AM	#25
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	I hope you're joking! __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com