Cannibalized!!!

[Steelharp]

Cannibalized!!! PICS ADDED!!!!

Walked into a pawn shop today, just killing time... there laid a Colt, dull silverish refinish like some of the BHP's I've seen... said MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY, UNITED STATES PROPERTY, other side with appropriate rollmarks, just like my 1918... ser # 171xxx... tall front sight, huge rear sight, new adj. trigger, wrap around grips... I cried... $495... such a shame to see what had to be a faithful old warhorse so slicked up... just bothered me... I'm going to try to go by tomorrow and see if I can take a pic...

Mikey D...

 

[Jim Watson]

I had one like that once. Fully accurized. Do you reckon the one you saw was, too, along with the sights and trigger?

Remember, there was a day and age when these "faithful old warhorses" were "Army surplus" $17.50 from the DCM and not much more mailorder.

For $495 you could get it and re-mil it if it touches your heart so.

Me? I keep looking for all those Winchester Highwalls turned into varmint rifles. They are worth reconverting now that BPCR is a going concern. But I doubt I'll find one for $495... or $1495, either.

 

[MICHAEL T]

A few years back most people considers these old 45's little more than junk . So some people picked them up for almost nothing and made what they wanted. Now like 60's and early70's cars ,they are now collectable Some people like hot rods and some like restored . To each his own.

 

[3rdpig]

I'm sorry to say that I own one of these. It's my father's WWII service pistol that he liberated from the Army when he retired. 30 years ago he had a local gunsmith put on the big adjustable rear sight and the tall front blade. The trigger looks stock but has been worked on to be smoother. It's got some wrap around grips on it too. I have to admit it's been a safe queen since my Dad died 10 years ago. I'd love to have it returned to it's original appearance, but I don't know who to trust to do it, or if it's worth the cost. Like you guys, I cringe whenever I see it. Unfortunately it's not the only gun my Dad had butchered in that way, he also had the same treatment done to a High Standard Model B 22 auto pistol, a gun he got from his dad when he was 16. I'd love to have that restored also.

 

[George Hill]

"Now like 60's and early70's cars ,they are now collectable Some people like hot rods and some like restored . To each his own."

Hot Rods... oh yeah....

 

[Steelharp]

Went by again today, dude let me take a couple pics...

Mikey D...

 

[Steelharp]

When was this made? # 171803

Mikey D...

 

[wally]

Do you want a good gun or a museam piece?

I'm betting this thing was in less than pristine condition when modified making its collector value greatly reduced had it been left intact Remember tons of surplus guns were on the market for cheap circa 1960, I don't think many of these have appreciated beyond inflation and their utilitarian value unless proof of historical provinence exists.

If its in good shape internally, seems a decent price for an all forged 1911 these days.

--wally.

 

[Logan5]

I have a Colt New Service that someone did that to, now mag-na-ported, electroless nickled, with an insert front blade and an adjustable rear. Very strange to look at.

 

[Brian Williams]

Those sights look like they could be changed with a minimum of work and a set of Kings

 

[Tecolote]

Is it possible to change the front and rear sight and to have the finish stripped without spending an arm and a leg? I would buy it and restore back to its glory days.