Colt 1911 - Refinish or not?

[brdrail]

All,
I've come into possession of a Colt M1911 (made in 1918), that appears to have some new parts over the years (barrel, slide) and a receiver that has some corrosion on it. Basically, the gun has most of its finish worn off. When I talked to an appraiser, he said it should be considered a "shooter", with little collectible value. My questions are a) should I leave it "as is" and use it as a shooter or b) refinish it either by parkerizing it or having it Gun-koted? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated - especially from those that have had a pretty beat-up firearm refinished.
Thanks in advance!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

When I talked to an appraiser, he said it should be considered a "shooter", with little collectible value.

I disagree with the appraiser. Even with the finish as badly worn as you describe, because of its age it is worth more "as is" than if you refinished it, especially with an obvious aftermarket one. An exception would be having it restored, i.e., removing the rust and repolishing and rebluing it to as close to original specs as possible. This would be expensive, however. For occasional shooting, it will shoot just as well without any finish.

Now, if you want to "put it to work," so to speak, as an EDC and never plan to sell it, you can do whatever you wish to your own property. However, I suspect you might regret it in the future.

 

[rellascout]

It has zero collectors value if the barrel and the slide have been replaced. Clean it up an make it a shooter. There are tons of those vintage 1911s with original parts in the market place for people looking for collector pieces.

 

[Oro]

I disagree with the appraiser. Even with the finish as badly worn as you describe, because of its age it is worth more "as is" than if you refinished it,

I agree with the appraiser he cites - like rellasout said - with that many mix-master parts, it's just an old, pitted WWI era frame with some parts attached.

I'd either find an affordable local bluer or get it Parkerized (you can do it yourself, too). Gun Kote is durable, but for a gun like that it would be more "authentic" if it were Parkerized or blue to me.

 

[rellascout]

I agree park would be the way to go after you cleaned it up.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Oh, well, the replaced barrel and slide would cancel that out. Blame my ADD.

 

[2RCO]

I need to see pics to make this call. If the frame is original and blued (even in crappy condition) I wouldn't touch it. If it's been parkerized go crazy.

 

[rellascout]

A pic would help but the OP states all the finish is gone.... "receiver that has some corrosion on it. Basically, the gun has most of its finish worn off."

 

[ElToro]

http://www.fordsguns.com/index2-1.htm

or colt

 

[Clifford]

I would think the collector value of the gun is low due to the slide replacement but be sure to ask some experts first. The lower reciever is old enought that it may still be worth more in it's current state. Otherwise pay a good gunsmith to refinish the thing.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Do we know the slide was replaced? Were slides and frames individually serial numbered?

 

[rellascout]

I would think the roll marks would be the dead giveaway.

 

[brdrail]

All - thanks much. I should be getting my hands on the pistol in a few weeks - I'll post a picture of it ASAP for your review. Thanks greatly for your comments!

 

[Cards81fan]

If it is original Colt blue, it'd leave as-as, as their finish was the most beautiful finish on a pistol to me (A very close second is a nice case-hardened S&W), and looks better as it ages. I'd just clean as much of the corrosion off as possible (with something like this) and keep it cleaned well.

 

[Supertac45]

It's a shooter only, no collectors value.

 

[kanook]

If you refinish it, all the history is gone. If the firearm was neglected that would be different to me. But if it is just worn and shows the sign of honest use I always wonder where it has been and what it has done.

Depending on how much you are willing to spend to have it refinshed you can get a Colt re-issue of the 1918 that is new for around $1,000. Now you own one with history and one that willl be your own history.