1911 from 1913 - Opinions needed - Page 2

Jim Watson · August 15, 2020, 01:05 PM

It certainly looks better in the video.
Let us know if it is black or white when you see it.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 15, 2020, 02:55 PM

I will look forward to your after action report on the in person inspection.

Classic12 · August 16, 2020, 11:57 AM

Just met the seller and saw the gun.

Almost all of the finish was indeed removed. However all the markings seem still strong, there are no deep pits, gouges or scratches, and it seems that whoever did that job at least did it fairly decently.

The gun also seems to be in very good mechanical condition with little internal wear, except for the inside of the barrel which is somewhat pitted.

I offered $1500 on a whim, he came down to $1800, and then I went up to $1600, telling him I could not pay more due to total lack of finish which pretty much ruined the collector value. He still wanted $1800 and offered to throw in a belt and a leather holster of unknown origin.

If I end up buying the gun, I would probably have it professionally reblued. It would not be an original gun any more, which it already isn’t, but it still make for a nice old 1911 at a reasonable price.

Classic12 · August 16, 2020, 11:59 AM

**Aguila Blanca** · August 16, 2020, 01:30 PM

It's a shame about the finish, but at least it hasn't been buffed. The markings all appear to be sharp and clear, and that's definitely a good thing.

Good luck. I hope the seller will come to his senses and that you get it.

Classic12 · August 18, 2020, 03:03 AM

The seller agreed with my price of $1600 so I will buy the gun and should get it in a few days.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 18, 2020, 08:43 AM

Congratulations!

ghbucky · August 18, 2020, 06:41 PM

Quote:

The seller agreed with my price of $1600 so I will buy the gun and should get it in a few days.

Congrats! I see you intend to get it refinished. Please update with pics once it is done.

RickB · August 18, 2020, 06:56 PM

I think it looks pretty cool, as is.

PocketCamera · August 18, 2020, 10:41 PM

be nice to trace that serial number

Classic12 · August 19, 2020, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

Congratulations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghbucky

Congrats! I see you intend to get it refinished. Please update with pics once it is done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickB

I think it looks pretty cool, as is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketCamera

be nice to trace that serial number

Thanks. I will post it again after blueing is done. It feels naked without it, in the white.

I am told it is 1 of 600 shipped to Springfield Armory 10 December 1913

Reloadron · August 20, 2020, 10:27 AM

Congratulations on getting the gun, you sure worked for it in negations.

My kingdom for your grips.

Enjoy!
Ron

HisSoldier · August 23, 2020, 02:44 PM

Quote:

The pistol in the photos appears to be correct, but it should not be shot. Not at all, never. Not even one shot.

I suspect people would be horrified to see me shooting my 100+ year old Colt 1903 Pocket Hammer in 38 Automatic.

Metric · August 23, 2020, 03:11 PM

I bet Turnbull could work wonders with that thing.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 23, 2020, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metric

I bet Turnbull could work wonders with that thing.

If only Doug were in Switzerland ...

Classic12 · September 9, 2020, 09:19 AM

Some news and pics. I received the gun yesterday, and made a quick field strip to inspect it. Trigger pull is 5 kg, i.e. over 11 lbs, that can’t be normal ?! I’ll make a detailed strip this weekend.

Classic12 · September 9, 2020, 09:21 AM

The liquid arsenic dip line (or whatever it was) is still visible on the mag

Classic12 · September 9, 2020, 09:22 AM

And a question to the specialists : were the small parts (thumb and grip safety, slide release, hammer, trigger barrel, bushing) blued by a different process, or was the preparation / polishing different ?

I looked for pics on the internet and those small parts seem to have a different appearance

**Aguila Blanca** · September 9, 2020, 11:43 AM

I believe the military specification for trigger pull was 6 pounds to 8 pounds (2.7 to 3.6 kg).

T. O'Heir · September 9, 2020, 01:15 PM

"...how the finish is so uniformly gone..." Sand paper will do that. It looks too 'rough' to be vinegar. Vinegar will strip bluing to bare metal.
"...just faded and worn..." Too even for that.

August 15, 2020, 02:55 PM	#27
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	I will look forward to your after action report on the in person inspection. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

August 16, 2020, 01:30 PM	#30
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	It's a shame about the finish, but at least it hasn't been buffed. The markings all appear to be sharp and clear, and that's definitely a good thing. Good luck. I hope the seller will come to his senses and that you get it. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

August 18, 2020, 08:43 AM	#32
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	Congratulations! __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

August 18, 2020, 06:56 PM	#34
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I think it looks pretty cool, as is. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

September 9, 2020, 11:43 AM	#44
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	I believe the military specification for trigger pull was 6 pounds to 8 pounds (2.7 to 3.6 kg). __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

August 15, 2020, 01:05 PM	#26
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	It certainly looks better in the video. Let us know if it is black or white when you see it.

August 16, 2020, 11:57 AM	#28
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	Just met the seller and saw the gun. Almost all of the finish was indeed removed. However all the markings seem still strong, there are no deep pits, gouges or scratches, and it seems that whoever did that job at least did it fairly decently. The gun also seems to be in very good mechanical condition with little internal wear, except for the inside of the barrel which is somewhat pitted. I offered $1500 on a whim, he came down to $1800, and then I went up to $1600, telling him I could not pay more due to total lack of finish which pretty much ruined the collector value. He still wanted $1800 and offered to throw in a belt and a leather holster of unknown origin. If I end up buying the gun, I would probably have it professionally reblued. It would not be an original gun any more, which it already isn’t, but it still make for a nice old 1911 at a reasonable price.

August 16, 2020, 11:59 AM	#29
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696

August 18, 2020, 03:03 AM	#31
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	The seller agreed with my price of $1600 so I will buy the gun and should get it in a few days.

August 18, 2020, 10:41 PM	#35
PocketCamera Junior member Join Date: August 13, 2020 Posts: 85	be nice to trace that serial number

August 20, 2020, 10:27 AM	#37
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	Congratulations on getting the gun, you sure worked for it in negations. My kingdom for your grips. Enjoy! Ron

August 23, 2020, 03:11 PM	#39
Metric Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 344	I bet Turnbull could work wonders with that thing.

September 9, 2020, 09:19 AM	#41
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	Some news and pics. I received the gun yesterday, and made a quick field strip to inspect it. Trigger pull is 5 kg, i.e. over 11 lbs, that can’t be normal ?! I’ll make a detailed strip this weekend.

September 9, 2020, 09:21 AM	#42
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	The liquid arsenic dip line (or whatever it was) is still visible on the mag

September 9, 2020, 09:22 AM	#43
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	And a question to the specialists : were the small parts (thumb and grip safety, slide release, hammer, trigger barrel, bushing) blued by a different process, or was the preparation / polishing different ? I looked for pics on the internet and those small parts seem to have a different appearance

September 9, 2020, 01:15 PM	#45
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...how the finish is so uniformly gone..." Sand paper will do that. It looks too 'rough' to be vinegar. Vinegar will strip bluing to bare metal. "...just faded and worn..." Too even for that. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!