Questions: Colt 1911 Commercial Model late teens production

[orpington]

What are things to look for when purchasing these? How desirable would be a commercial model from this time frame?

From a few photographs, I cannot tell if reblued or not. Lettering appears crisp in most photographs but camera glare could be just that--or indicative of a reblue.

Seller doesn't think this is reblued. What should one pay for one of these IF there is a chance it might be reblued?

A "reasonable" price with a little meat on the bone, not full retail?

Or, perhaps I mean what's the least you might have seen one of these sell for in recent memory, as that would likely encompass a refinish.

 

[Old Dog]

You're talking pre-A1, 1916-1919 period? Last one I saw (from 1918), not re-blued, and with some slight pitting, went for well over $3000 ... re-blued, I wouldn't pay more than 1500ish.

 

[orpington]

That much even if reblued??? I was thinking a reblued would really hurt the value and $500 would be a good price and $750 pushing the limit. A 4 figure price wasn't even on the radar!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Right around a grand for a well done refinish.

 

[orpington]

Yikes! I had no idea!

These have gone up, now haven't they?

I seem to have stuck in my head that a refinished 1911 is worth $500 as that's what I saw one sell for awhile ago. It was a LGS or local auction. I cannot recall the vintage of that one now. Might have been approaching 20 years ago now.

This one dates from 1919 if I read a serial number table correctly. Anything I should look for?

 

[orpington]

I should add I am, by no means, a novice when it comes to firearms. Just to these. I have always had revolvers, though, mostly early. Fire black powder more often than smokeless and reload. So, a firearm designed for production 1911-12 is quite newfangled, by my standards. Since 2.7 million were manufactured, I seem to think these were cheap, and this might mean emphasis on "were". This one is compelling because I thought I might get it cheaply if reblued, and something different to try--before I go back to something more vintage.

 

[CapnMac]

To get, say, a 1920 Commercial under 4 digits, you'd be looking at either a 10% finish, a very bad refinish, or both. And even then, you're looking at $900 or so.

Just not that many of those around. Scarcity drives the prices up.

Odd part is that it's almost (just almost) easier to find, say, a 1910 double-link Colt than one of the Commercials (1919-1939).

 

[tarosean]

Do your research a lot of fakes, forgeries out there.

 

[orpington]

Even at the low end range?

It would make sense if this was one of the Singer 1911's, but this is just a lower end run of the mill 1911 where the effort to fake or create a forgery would yield little financial remuneration.

 

[bannockburn]

orpington

It's still a vintage Colt that would have more value, even if refinished, from a collector's standpoint than a 1911 that you could buy new today. I think somewhere in the $900 to $1000 price range would be about right. Let us know if you decide to get it and if it's been refinished.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Seller doesn't think this is reblued. What should one pay for one of these IF there is a chance it might be reblued?

The quality of the polish and bright blueing on an original Colt 1911 from before the 1930s is a lot harder to fake than one might think.
A re-blued Colt from that early period is actually pretty easy to spot.

Professionally restored fake? Rule is that your level of concern goes up alongside the percentage of finish remaining.
These guys holster (tight fitting) and re-holster a freshly oven baked re-blued pistol (before the blueing has cured)
to put that 8 - 10% high edge and grip wear that everyone expects to see. A small scratch here and there seal the deal.

If the dollar amount is actually under four figures for a pre-30s1911 commercial with straight parts?
No need for discussion at all.

JT