1 of 1000

[mikemyers]

I was at a gun shop last week and they had a 1911 Colt for sale for about $1800. It was a "custom" and had "1 of 1000" on the slide.

When I asked the salesperson about it, he told me that because it was a "custom" it would be extremely precise, and because of the "1 of 1000" marking, it would be very valuable.


I guess I ought to get more information about it before asking anything here, but somehow I think I'm not getting the full story. I have no idea of what "1 of 1000" means, other than there may well be 1000 of the 1911s that are sold with that marking on the slide.

When I asked if there was anything done differently inside the gun to make it "better", the answer seemed to be that the gun is essentially the same as the other Colt 1911's, but only 1000 will get this inscription on the slide.

Anybody here know what the "1 of 1000" markings stand for, and why this might make the gun more expensive than other Colts?

 

[JTQ]

Probably a gun built for TALO. Mostly they are just cosmetically different from standard models.

http://taloinc.com/index.html

 

[mgmorden]

Anybody here know what the "1 of 1000" markings stand for, and why this might make the gun more expensive than other Colts?

If it's like 99% of other limited run collectible items, the "x of y" is letting you know how many they're making and where in the production run it falls. Y being the total amount made in that config and X being the numerical order that this particular example was produced.

In any series, examples from earlier in the production run (particularly #1) are the more valuable from a collectability standpoint. That mindset is passed down from items that used to be produced from molds. Molds deteriorate with use so the earlier pieces produced from a mold tended to be sharper and of higher quality than those items at the end of the run. That doesn't apply to most guns, but the mindset of wanting the earlier run items has persisted.

 

[Mike1234567]

I'm not sure "1 of 1000" necessarily means it's the very first gun from that run. I've seen other firearms marked similarly and the entire series is marked the same "1 of 1000".

 

[mgmorden]

That could be the case here. Normally for most collectibles they've did it the other way, but from an absolutely technical perspective they are all "1 of 1000", so I'm sure on occasion some manufacturers could use that in hopes of getting more sales for people that thing it's being labeled in the more traditional fashion.

 

[Jed Carter]

Originally Winchester took 1000 production rifles and the one that shot the best was marked with 1 of 1000. That Colt is just 1 of a 1000 gun production run, new with box $1800 would be a good price. There would be way fewer Winchester 1873 rifles marked with 1 of 1000 than the 1000 gun run of Colt pistols.

 

[mikemyers]

Thanks for the advice. Are you saying the reason that it's priced at $1800 is more so for its collectability, than for its capability as say, a target shooter?

I believe that Colt Gold Cup series guns are built to be as precise and accurate as Colt can achieve. I might be wrong here, but that's what I think I've learned from a lot of reading. Would this gun be of less/same/more quality?

Maybe I should be asking this differently, as in whether this gun is intended to be put away in a safe somewhere, so my grand-children's grand-children will have a very valuable museum piece, or is it intended to be used?

 

[gordy]

Being a 1 of 1000 there should be some paperwork with the gun. Or something stamped on the side of the frame. There would be something that sets it apart from the others out there.
It may have been made for a statehood birthday or for a police anniversary. Could be a John Wayne commemorative. Very hard to say with out some more info.
With what you have given us, All we know is that there are 999 more just like it.

 

[harrygunner]

Use a search engine on:

colt "1 of 1000"

You'll get several hits.

 

[mikemyers]

The serial number is CGOV126; according to Colt, it came from their custom shop, and was made in 1991, meaning it's an "80 series".

The service person at Colt felt that it should be as good, or likely better, than a Gold Cup, and should make "a good shooter".

That still leaves me wondering if the price ($1800) is because of the gun's quality, or value as a collectible.

 

[rellascout]

Sounds like a Colt custom shop gun and depending on the configuration it is worth the $1800. They cost as much as they do because they had more hand fitting higher quality parts and are finished to a higher standard. Colts hold their value but IMHO instant collectables are't as special as those advertising them will lead you to believe.

Guns like the Colt Special Combat Govt guns are as nice as other semi-custom guns Dan Wesson or SAs custom shop etc... I personally do not put them in the same category as Wilson, Les Baer or Ed Brown but they nice.

 

[mikemyers]

Could you please explain what you mean by "depending on the configuration"?

Presumably these are things that I can ask Colt about, once I give them the serial number, or are records not kept of the things you're referring to?



Could you also please explain the difference between "Gold Cup" and "Custom Shop"? I d know that custom shop guns are hand fitted to be as good as possible, but I thought that's what is done to Gold Cups?


Also, I'm curious - you wrote "I personally do not put them in the same category as Wilson, Les Baer or Ed Brown but they nice." Could you please elaborate on what the difference might be between Custom Shop guns, and those from Wilson?

 

[rellascout]

Could you please explain what you mean by "depending on the configuration"?

Presumably these are things that I can ask Colt about, once I give them the serial number, or are records not kept of the things you're referring to?

Custom shop guns like the one you are talking about have a particular configuration and a particular set or type of parts used. These will factor in to the determination of how "good" the gun is and what it is worth. Colt might or might not have the details on this particular build.

Could you also please explain the difference between "Gold Cup" and "Custom Shop"? I d know that custom shop guns are hand fitted to be as good as possible, but I thought that's what is done to Gold Cups?

The Gold cup is a custom shop gun which is different than the standard 80 series Govt which is put together on the standard assembly line. The Gold Cups have a similar level of hand fitting but have a much more standard configuration. Many would put them on a similar level and depending on when each example was built as would I.

Also, I'm curious - you wrote "I personally do not put them in the same category as Wilson, Les Baer or Ed Brown but they nice." Could you please elaborate on what the difference might be between Custom Shop guns, and those from Wilson?

IMHO all the names above use better quality parts and have more hand fitting and personal attention given to each gun then the Colt custom shop. Again the Colts are great they are right there with these other semi-customs but just a bit below.

On a Les Baer you get a hard fit barrel. It has no MIM and was assembled in an old school manner with a ton of hand fitting. They IMHO lack in the finish department. The blue is thinner than it should be and they are not as refined to look at but they are a no-nonsense fighting pistol IMHO. I personally think a lot of the Colt Custom shop guns "look" better than Baers.

An Ed Brown is not hard fit but it is a superior gun when it comes to fit and finish. Again no MIM. They are beautiful and are the best looking of the semi-custom makers. There is an elegance about them which you pay a lot of coin for.

Wilson takes it to the next level IMHO and looks better than the Les Baer but is built better than the Brown. When you get to the level of a super grade you are talking about gun which rival pure custom guns by people like Yost or Garthwaite 1911.

These are just my observations. I own a Les Baer and it is everything I need in a 1911 and in reality is a much better gun than I am a shooter. I have not been able to justify the funds for another high end 1911 purchase. There will be others down the road but not for now.

When you get to this level of 1911 $1800 + a lot comes down to preference. There is not really a right or wrong answer.

 

[mikemyers]

Thanks; apparently standard 1911's go down the standard assembly line. Gold Cup guns get pulled from this standard assembly line, and are hand-fitted. Custom models are not only hand fitted, but have custom parts installed by Colt. So, as you suggested, the next step is to call Colt again tomorrow morning, and try to see if there is a record as to what parts were used in the customizing.

It's interesting to read where you said "a lot comes down to preference". In order to appreciate and understand "preference", it would help if I knew what the choices were, and for that matter, which choices might have any influence on the performance of the gun. In the next few days, I hope to be able to choose from either this gun, or a like-new Gold Cup, or to just postpone the whole thing until I know more.

 

[1SOW]

The CZ 75 SP01 Shadow is another example of an "Improved" or semi-custom CZ 75 SP01 pistol. The CZ 75 SP01 "Custom Shop Shadow" has component improvements (mainly hammer, hammer hooks and springs) and friction point polishing. They are the same high quality pistol but the latter shoots a little smoother. With CZ USA there is a list of the differences/changes by full model name.

I would guess, 1 of 1000 is a part the Colt "Model name".

Found this on the Glock forum--2010 date:
Colt Gold Cup National Match Elite 1 of 1000 LNIB
Up for trade is my Gold Cup National Match Elite. 1 of 1000 limited edition 45. Amazing Pistol. Unreal Trigger & Hammer Action. In the original matching box. Im looking for trades ......
.

 

[Bobson]

Anybody here know what the "1 of 1000" markings stand for, and why this might make the gun more expensive than other Colts?

The local Cabela's had a 1911 (believe it was a Colt, but may have been S.A.) that was 1 of 500. Apparently a run of 500 specially-made 1911s "celebrating 100 years [of 1911s]" type of thing. It came in a special display case set on red velvet, and was a bit over $2000, iirc.

I'd imagine that's what the 1 of 1000 is, or something like it.