Refinish or not

[bannockburn]

Buckeye87

A vintage, family heirloom, Colt 1911 still in decent shape with ivory grips...

Refinish it?

Never!

Instead I would replace the ivory grips (for the time being), with a pair of Double Diamond grips, give the gun a thorough cleaning, and then I would have a nice wood display case built for it.

These are Double Diamond grips on a Colt Government:

 

[theotherwaldo]

Sounds like a great way to lose money and lose a connection to your family's history... .

 

[Buckeye87]

Buckeye87

A vintage, family heirloom, Colt 1911 still in decent shape with ivory grips...

Refinish it?

Never!

Instead I would replace the ivory grips (for the time being), with a pair of Double Diamond grips, give the gun a thorough cleaning, and then I would have a nice wood display case built for it.

These are Double Diamond grips on a Colt Government:

Good idea

 

[rabid wombat]

I have a 1936 colt 1911 (C prefix).it was my grandfather's then dad's, Now mine. It has about 50 percent of bluing left,grips were swapped out in 39 or 40. I would like to have it professionally restored to as new condition by reputable shop like Turnbull or similar. Still shoots great. In my opinion it should help rather than hurt the value. I have no intention on selling anytime soon. Any advice would be appreciated

I had the exact same dilemma…I called Turnball… basic response was no, do not do it. You have an heirloom in its own right, keep it and enjoy it.

As for the ivory… the world is nuts, be very careful who you trust with it…

Welcome to the forum, if not said previously

 

[Buckeye87]

 

[Buckeye87]

I think I figured it out, my brain hurts.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I suggest you leave it just like it is, bearing the marks of those who used and cared for it before and then passed it to you. Just my $.02

 

[Buckeye87]

Yep, it's staying original. Thanks

 

[GRIZ22]

Collectors like original finish. .They'd rather.have 50% original than.100% new.

I'd leave it as is.

 

[Jim Watson]

The front sight is aftermarket, it used to have a bead, maybe gold, silver, or ivory. What is the rear sight?

If you have the slightest notion that you might ever holster it, take off the trigger shoe, it can get brushed back by the lip of a holster with loud and maybe painful results.

I would keep it oily and every time I took it out to admire it or shoot it, give it a good rubdown with a coarse cloth. A lot of the surface oxidation will come off with time. I hesitate to recommend anything rougher.

"Double diamond" grips are not 1936 period correct, they went to fully checkered walnut with the 1924 transition to A1 configuration. These Herretts are closer.

1911 Full Size Checkered Walnut Bevel - Herrett's Stocks

Government 1911 Full Checker Walnut Bevel Reg

www.herrettstocks.com

 

[Buckeye87]

Thanks for the tips. Rumor has it, my grandfather wore it alot. What would be the easiest way for me (not a gunsmith) to tell if it was accurized?

 

[Cornhusker77]

Yep, it's staying original. Thanks

I'm glad you are leaving it original
I saw one last weekend, a 1911 made in 1913.
The owner left it alone with the scars and stories it carried.

 

[junglej]

I would keep the 1911 as is or go the Novak route. On the grips, fake ivory I hate with an unholy passion, but real ivory is incredible, if you look closely, it has grain like wood. I would think they greatly increase the value of the gun.

 

[tarosean]

Yeah that wear is not that bad at all... I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[tark]

post deleted

 

[GreenWolf]

I'd leave it alone. It doesn't look bad. It's a good gun as is, with character and family history. Get another gun to be a project gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Thanks for the tips. Rumor has it, my grandfather wore it alot. What would be the easiest way for me (not a gunsmith) to tell if it was accurized?

I don't see anything non-Colt but the sights, trigger shoe, and grips. There might be some internal work but that was not very common in those days.

 

[KevininPa]

I'm really big on hard chroming. But not that piece. Too much history there. I'm guessing that you're not going to carry it? If you would, I would change out the grips and preserve those. If just popping out rounds at the range, leave them on for the" oooo-aaaaaahhh" factor. THOSE, are really nice grips! Nice piece of family history there, Sir! Enjoy!

 

[Speedo66]

Grips are interesting, can we get a full picture of the artwork, both sides if they’re different?

 

[Buckeye87]

I'm really big on hard chroming. But not that piece. Too much history there. I'm guessing that you're not going to carry it? If you would, I would change out the grips and preserve those. If just popping out rounds at the range, leave them on for the" oooo-aaaaaahhh" factor. THOSE, are really nice grips! Nice piece of family history there, Sir! Enjoy!

Not carrying this one. Thanks

 

[Bill Raby]

I have no intention on selling anytime soon.

That means that it has no monetary value at all and should be of no consideration in what you do with it.

 

[Hokkmike]

I shy away from girls that think they need heavy make-up to be attractive.