1911 Question

The pin shouldn't just "fall out". Any gunsmith can replace that pin or just "peen" it so it doesn't come out again.

The "little ring" that you are referring to is the barrel link; the pin that holds it in-place is the barrel link pin. Both are easily replaceable, and inexpensive. A new link and pin is about $6.

Whoa! Wait! Hold up!
A GI Springfield 1911 manufactured in 1914 - 1915 for WWI probably should not have it's parts replaced with new ones, or old ones "peened" in place.

In fact, that early a 1911 is probably too valuable as a highly collectible gun to even risk shooting it!

Once you start messing with it's original 1914 SA parts, or break it, it won't be as valuable any more.

rc

Once you start messing with it's original 1914 SA parts, or break it, it won't be as valuable any more.

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An antique with a replaced pin is far more valuable than a broken antique.

Whoa! Wait! Hold up!
A GI Springfield 1911 manufactured in 1914 - 1915 for WWI probably should not have it's parts replaced with new ones, or old ones "peened" in place.

In fact, that early a 1911 is probably too valuable as a highly collectible gun to even risk shooting it!

Once you start messing with it's original 1914 SA parts, or break it, it won't be as valuable any more.

Click to expand...

I agree with this 100%. I would not replace peen or do anything to this pistol but put the old link back in and put it in a case. There were only about 60K of these made if it is infact a 1914 to 1915 gun.

Springfield Armory: S/N 72,571 to 133,186 = April 1914 to April, 1917

Do not shoot this gun anymore.... please. Also please post pics.

a 1911 service revolver?

put a new pin and link in and enjoy it.

I have a 1918 Remington UMCwhich is much rarer than a Springfield Armory, and I shoot it.

Guns are for shooting.

Your gun so your choice... Its not just about the value of the gun its historical significance.

In the end we do not know how close to stock your gun is or the OP's gun is. If either has a lot of replacement parts they become shooters. Yours appears to be refinished but it is hard to tell from the pic. Have you replaced parts like the barrel or link pins LOL. If it has been then its collector value has been diminished.

IMHO it is not smart to shoot something like this without understanding its historical or monetary value. YMMV

I have a 1918 Remington UMCwhich is much rarer than a Springfield Armory, and I shoot it.

Guns are for shooting.

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good looking shooter.

It was arsenal re-blued in 1942 and is stamped to denote that fact. Even if it was in entirely original condition, I'd still shoot it.

Guns are for shooting. Old guns are for occasional shooting.

If you want qualified opinions on the value of this gun as a collectible, post detailed photos of it here.

It's value is based on what people will pay for it. I don't think that if I was a collector or buying for a museum that I would care about a replaced pin. I also don't think anyone would tell me it was replaced

It's value is based on what people will pay for it. I don't think that if I was a collector or buying for a museum that I would care about a replaced pin. I also don't think anyone would tell me it was replaced

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In many ways you are right it is worth what someone will pay. I guess my point is that OP does not seem to know what he has. It would be a shame to replace a pin in something like this.... which someone paid over $11,000 + for.

http://www.auctionarms.com/Search/DisplayItem.cfm?ItemNum=10044227.0

If this pin was replaced it would not have gotten the price it did. This particular gun got more because of the NRA marking and its providence. In the end it is up to the owner if they want to shot it. I personally would just want to know what I am shooting.

I think the old guns were designed that way. I would not shoot it very much, its more of a collector.

Colt Mfg Company, Inc. Hartford, Ct. Model 1911 Springfield Armory, SN
118516,

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Is this a contradiction? If it was made by Springfield Armory in WWI would it have Colt on it? Just wondering...I din't know.
Joe

It is towards the end of the 1915-1916 Springfield Armory SN range. There were NO duplicated numbers in that range - so the Springfield Armory would have been the mfgr and COLT would have had NOTHING to do with it other than holding the patent rights to Brownings design.... Since The Springfield Armory was a owned/operated by the US Govt and was nearing war time (not to mention COLT wasn't producing enough M1911's).... the govt picked up the slack. Like I said COLT didn't have anything to do with that pistol except maybe paying JMB his royalty when it was built (if the Govt ever paid them theirs).


I suspect the appraiser referred to it as "COLT" to simplify things for the owner. Many uniformed people do not know there were different mfgrs over the years and refer to every 1911 type as a "COLT 45".

The problem with shooting your 1911 is twofold.

1. Metallurgy was not as advanced as it is now. The original M1911's made by EVERYONE were in fact soft as butter... There was NO heat treating on the slides and if you continue to shoot it - be assured at some point - it will crack... usually right at the ejection port. Could be 20yrs and 200K rounds from now or it may break on the next round you fire....

2. It is a valuable pistol.... in any condition. However if you break the slide by shooting it, you will devalue it to practically nothing. How many correct SA slides do you see for sale these days? Even if you get one - it won't be original anymore and will be far less valuable that it is right at this moment.

So you have to decide if it is worth it or not to keep shooting and eventually break a valuable piece of history.

When the Govt owned that pistol they shot them to failure because they were mere tools to them. The Govt had thousands of replacement slides made by COLT, Savage, Remington Rand ect.... and they didn't give a crap as to keeping it "original". It was a tool meant to be used, repaired and eventually used up.

That is not always the case with private ownership. Espc 90yrs later when there are so few real USGI M911's left and so many modern 1911 based pistols available that can be shot without worry.
Will

If the pistol was made at the U.S. Springfield Arsenal (not to be confused with a current company using the name Springfield Armory), the slide will be so marked. On the other hand it is quite possible that the original slide was replaced at a later date with a Colt slide with Colt markings. That would reduce the value somewhat, but it would still remain a valuable collectable. Continuing to shoot it would be a mistake, advise from some members who have nothing to lose not withstanding.

I would consider it to be an historical artifact, rather then a firearm. Some unfortunately, aren't able to tell the difference. Shooting it could result in a cracked frame or slide, and after that it's cash value would be reduced that of the remaining spare parts.

A loose link pin is not unusual, and it can't come out when the pistol is assembled. Simply be careful when you field strip the gun.

Nice looking gun. Nice piece of history. Take good care of it.