Colt 1911

[Gun Master]

Guys, please assist me.

An elderly gentleman asked my help in evaluating his Colt 1911 .45 ACP, serial # 28xxx. I don't know the year of mfg. or anything else. He said it was "98% finish". I only see him at church, so he didn't bring the pistol.

He said a man had offered him $1,050, and it had "a pony on it" (meaning it was a real Colt).

Can anybody identify the model, year of mfg., approx. value, or any other info. ? I expect to see him tomorrow. I'd hate to see him get swindled!

 

[rcmodel]

28,000 dates to the first six months of 1913.

If that's true it is 98%, and the serial number is what you say it is??

It's worth $1,050 several times over!!

rc

 

[Onmilo]

28,000 dates to the first six months of 1913.

If that's true it is 98%, and the serial number is what you say it is??

It's worth $1,050 several times over!!

rc

Yep
Like five times over.

 

[PapaG]

However, 98% is rarely seen other than in the eyes of the owner, especially on a 100 plus year old gun. Like I say in the shop when I get a call like that, "hold it a little closer to the phone if you want an accurate appraisal".
Condition, condition, condition.

 

[rondog]

This is my Colt 01911, which is a reproduction of the original early Colt M1911. If his is truly 98%, it should look very much like this. If it does, DON'T let him get raped for $1050, it's worth much more than that!

 

[Jim Watson]

USGI 1911 "No. 28000" was made in 1913.
Government Model "C 28000" was made in 1916 and would very likely be called a "1911" by any but the expert.
Have to know the serial number format to know what he really has.
Commercial guns seem to be less valuable than military, but either in true 98% is very valuable.

 

[Gun Master]

???

I saw the Colt 1911 owner today, and he said the 28xxx serial number did have a "D" preceding the #.
I cannot find any such Colt 1911 with a "D" before the serial number, with the information I have available.

 

[surjimmy]

If it is truly a 1913 in 98%, your looking at the value North of $8000

 

[tark]

Here is a 1913 commercial 1911 from the last RIA Auction. Just an idea of the value of these guns in this high condition.

 

[Jim Watson]

I suspect a parts gun with a Colt slide on an aftermarket receiver.
If so, dollar value is low, half what you are talking about would be plenty.

If the "D" has been added to an actual Colt, it is illegal.

 

[tark]

That 'D' really raises suspicion. And if that is a Colt frame, that someone Added a "D' to, Jim summed it up quite well.

 

[Gun Master]

Bye, Bye 1911. Hello, Kimber .380.

I had hoped to get more info from my friend re: his 1911 today, but he said he already sold it .
He said he had not shot a HG in 50 years. Recently sold a Garand (unk. price) and a Springfield .30-06 (also unk. $). I didn't want to be too nosey. He still has a Benelli that he shoots.
After he was paid for the 1911, he easily racked the slide of a Kimber .380, while checking it out. When he was told the price, he asked if he might be eligible for a "WW II Veteran Discount"? The Manager allowed $ 554 price and he bought it. He's already shot it, and was satisfied with the accuracy.