Sistema question

[03Shadowbob]

I went to a local dealer today that I have done some biz with and he likes to pull out specials out of the safe for regulars. He pulled out 2 Sistemas. I do know they are the real deal 1911 and interchangeable parts and all but I have a couple questions. Both were in excellent shape, no cracks, peening, anything. Both had great bores. One was stamped for the Argentine Airforce and had a very nice smooth blued finish with aftermarket night sights and skeleton trigger. He wanted $575 for it. The other was a plain jane Sistema but it was not the smooth blue surface, more like a Springfield GI 1911 finish or parked finish. I was just wondering if they came this way originally or if someone had refinished it? He wanted $500 for it.
We looked in the book on the Airforce model and rated it about 75%. I think the book on it was about $600 and the insignia added some more to it.

What do you guys think is a good price for a very nice Sistema model? I looked on gunbroker but couldn't find any similar to these.
Which would you buy if you were me?
This gun will be a safe queen and taken rarely to the range. I plan on passing it on down the line when I die.
Thanks.

 

[Brian Williams]

If you buy it shoot it and make memories. Then it will be worth more to those you hand it down to.

Price a little high, but good guns.

 

[03Shadowbob]

yeah, I thought it was a little high but the condition is incredible on these. Matching numbers, etc..
In a year I won't care what I paid and in 20 years my boy won't care either.

 

[DMK]

They are very nice guns, well made and just as good as any USGI 1911A1.

I'd go for the original condition one and see if I could talk him down some. The Airforce one has been obviously modified and that's probably not the original finish either.

One was stamped for the Argentine Airforce and had a very nice smooth blued finish with aftermarket night sights and skeleton trigger. He wanted $575 for it. The other was a plain jane Sistema but it was not the smooth blue surface, more like a Springfield GI 1911 finish or parked finish. I was just wondering if they came this way originally or if someone had refinished it? He wanted $500 for it.

They were originally blued as far as I can determine. Many have been parkerized, however it's unclear if that was done by the Argentinians as SOP during rebuild, if they were prettied up for export or if it was done by an importer here in the US.

 

[10X]

The Air Force one has been modified and refinished based on your description. That lessens the value by 25% to 33% or so. This one would likely appreciate little in the future.

The other one sounds like the original parkerized finished and in very good shape. It may be about 10% high at $500, not outrageous given the stated condition. This one would likely appreciate in value over the years.

It all depends upon the market in your area and how bad you "need" the gun.

 

[03Shadowbob]

thanks everyone. I am leaning towards the army issued one. I just want another war time 1911 to put in the safe but then again I can buy a Springfield GI1911 for the same price and it's brand new. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Rex B]

It's my understanding that the original finish was a very dark blue, black in appearance. Later arsenal rebuilds were sometimes parkerized before export.
Either would be good to own, but the prices are at least 10% high

 

[03Shadowbob]

thanks Rex. I'll see if I can work a deal