Old Colt 1911- Shooter or safe queen?

[Guthrie]

I will post pictures when I get off work.

This weekend I was handed down a old colt 1911 serial # C 72xxx , based on what I could find out that puts its manufacturing date from 1913-1918 (different websites seem to say different things).

Beyond that I cant seem to find much history, my dad said that there was something special about the pistol but didn't know exactly what. Everyone else who has handled it has long since passed.

Now I don't care for keeping guns around that i'm not going to shoot. And if that's the advisable case for this one Ill just give it back to my father less anything unfortunate happens to it in my possession.

There is obvious rust in the barrel as well as some pitting on the finish. The bluing is intact but worn. The pistol is in great working condition (it was fired before the history was known).

Is this gun a shooter? Obviously pictures will help, I will get them up this evening, just wanted to post before I forgot.

 

[1KPerDay]

Your dad gave it to you because he wanted you to have it. YOu really want to try to give it back to him?

 

[Guthrie]

Oh I understand the concern there. Its not a gift/emotional issue, he gave me the gun to shoot without knowing the history, if I don't shoot it since I live in town I presume the probability of it being stolen/lost in an apartment fire, ect is much greater. My parents live far in the country and it would be more of a safe keeping situation, rather than not accepting of a gift.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

bank deposit box when not at range?
i would say keep it and use it, that is its purpose. pass it on to future generations when the time comes

 

[DaveBeal]

If you want an expert opinion on any old 1911, go here and be prepared to post pics.

The advice generally dispensed on that forum is that if the gun has all original and matching parts, don't shoot it. You never know which pull of the trigger is going to break something, and an all-original gun is worth much more than a patchwork gun. And never refinish an old all-original 1911. A rusty one is worth more than a reblued/reparkerized one.

 

[Jim Watson]

C 72000 is a commercial Government Model, not a military 1911, made in late 1916 according to coolgunsite.com

If you don't have a documented history of its use, then it is just a 92 year old gun. Which will be of more or less collector interest depending on condition and originality.

As said, the collectors recommend not shooting the old gun because a broken and replaced small part reduces the originality, and a broken major part (I saw a nice old gun with a cracked slide once.) pretty well reduces it to a box of spare parts. I must admit to taking my 1918 GI out occasionally, though.

 

[Guthrie]

Thanks guys, im leaning towards making it a shooter, ill post pictures of all the part at the m1911 forum to determine originality. Thanks for your help.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I have an all original WW2 Ithaca 1911, I shoot it occasionally. It hurts to see a gun like that that never gets shot. I'd agree with the owner, it's your gun, might as well enjoy it.

 

[rondog]

Check it out very thoroughly before you decide to make it a shooter. There's a thread running at m1911.org right now about a guy that was given an old M1911A1 by his grandfather-in-law, that turned out to be a very rare and highly sought-after collectable model from 1941 that was all original and in excellent condition, and possibly worth $5000-$6000. He was planning on using it as a knock-around gun in his pickup!

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Well, personally, I have checked on my gun. It's a nice gun, but it's a pretty standard 1944 Ithaca 1911A1. It's not like it's an everyday shooter, but anything in my gun collection has to figure it might get shot.

I do make an exception for my 1916 all original Artillery Luger, it's in shooting condition, but I don't think I'll shoot it, that would be a shame to break something on...

 

[Guthrie]

Here are a number of pictures let me know if any others would be helpful.

Just trying to get an idea of if its all original

Also posted at m1911 .com but it moving pretty slow there.

 

[General Geoff]

That is gorgeous.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Hell, there's nothing wrong with the condition of that gun! From your earlier description, I would have thought it was a rusted hulk!

Unless the interior is really rough, I can't imagine that isn't in good enough shape to shoot.

 

[spentbrass]

~drooling~

 

[Gordon]

$2500-$3000

 

[Guthrie]

I certainly dont see commercial models going for that price on gunbroker.

 

[nyggis]

I love the note "Caution Hot Surface" on the flash light..

 

[Guthrie]

Those surfires can get toasty.

 

[Gordon]

They are advertised for that . That gun would sell over 2 quick around here.

 

[Geno]

I have a birthday in May...she'd be a dandy gift...friend.