Very rough value of WW II 1911?

[ArmedBear]

Nobody is looking to sell. I'm just looking for a ballpark idea.

A friend inherited a WW II Remington-Rand 1911 pistol. It's in used military condition, perfect functionally, no damage or dings, blue is mostly turning to patina like most old guns that haven't been refinished or kept unfired in oil. AFAIK it's all original.

Anyone have a clue what it's worth?

The guy's son wants to trick it out; I advised him to keep it as-is and buy a modern 1911 and shoot that instead. It will probably shoot better and the old gun will only appreciate in value.

But if the old Remington is only worth $150, my advice would be sort of silly, since the man who wants to shoot the thing is an enlisted sailor and not overly wealthy.

 

[10X]

For heavens sake keep it original. The value is depending on condition and original state is $800 to $1200. This is likely a 1911a1, that would be a WWII pistol.

New guns are reported to be better steel and are more suitable to be tricked out. Get one of the several current 1911s that is already tricked out.

 

[ball3006]

So, your friend....

wants to take a 1200 dollar GI 1911A1 and turn it into a 500 dollar gun.........the value of GI pistols IS NOT going down.......I have a WW1 1911 I bought 20 years ago for 200 bucks and it is worth close to 3000 now........chris3

 

[DMK]

The son is obviously ignorant.

Buy a brand new Springfield and trade him straight up.

 

[ArmedBear]

Does anyone know if Remington built them at any time except for WW II?

 

[Jim Watson]

Remington Rand only built 1911A1s in WW II. Note that it is Remington Rand, the adding machine company, not Remington Arms.

(Remington UMC built 1911s in WW I.)

Colt was the only peacetime builder of military pistols.

ball3006 has it exactly right; U.S. Martial Arms are getting more and more valuable all the time. But they must be straight and original. I once bought a gun from a guy who was going to have it cut up. He was a good enough friend that when he realized what it was, I sold it back to him.

 

[ArmedBear]

The son is obviously ignorant.

Buy a brand new Springfield and trade him straight up.

If it were some tool mouthing off at the range, I'd do it.

But this guy's off serving our country, and his dad is a good friend of mine.

Sounds like I should tell him that, for the amount his heirloom would drop in value immediately when he "fixed it up", he could buy a nice brand new Springfield -- not the basic model, either -- and keep the old pistol, as well.

Thanks all!

(If he is really set on modifying it, I might have to liberate it from him, at a fair price. I hate to see something like this happen.)

 

[surjimmy]

Tell him he's in our prayers, & THANK HIM for his service. And for Gods sake don't chance the weapon.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Like the others say. Keep it orginal I have a 1943 RR USGI I shoot now and then but like its older brother a 1941 Colt GI I fighre they did their time and I enjoy just owning today. They are only going up

 

[DorGunR]

http://www.coolgunsite.com/images/rem rands group/remrandstory.htm

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?products_id=2785

 

[Eightball]

Buy him a SA GI as a "starter" 1911 to be tricked out...offer a trade, perhaps?

Just DON'T let him mess with that one! They aren't exactly coming out with "any more of them", so it will ONLY be worth more money as time goes by.

 

[Freeze N]

Here's a Pic of Mine. Cherry shape, and I also have the original holster.
These are way too nice to try and upgrade.

 

[BADUNAME13]

IF he INSISTS on tricking it out...

and you do not want to:

I will BUY HIM a 'tricked out' 1911 and trade him straight up!
GLADLY!


DO NOT LET HIM BUTCHER IT!