Thanks again - I see they've upped the ante to $2000 on the other forum, so I'd better get another opinion.

Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Go to the jeep section of this site and send a message to BigJim he May know quite a bit about them.I can also ask a guy at work for you he is big into collecting firearms.

That is a really nice find,at least dead bodies wan't in the trunk with the guns <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I talked to a customer that buys and sells collector firearms.I just e-mailed him the pics and it may be helpfull if you could get an inside shot of the barrel.I am positive he can give a very close pricing on it since he has been in the buisness AND served in the military in that time period.

What would be interesting is if you could find out who owned it(as in who carried it on their side in the war) Then you would have tons of storieds that would go with that firearm that would make it...well ....uh ....priceless <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, it does seem that many of the collectors are selling the story instead of selling the gun. If you buy the story, you're going to pay a lot of money. I might tell the story if it was worth telling, but I'm guessing that a lot of them are BS.

Many of the collectors pay $100 to a Colt archivist to receive a "Letter of Authenticity" - which apparently returns more to the seller than the cost of the letter.

I can certainly get a picture of the bore, but I can say now that it's clean.

Frank

Well he answered the email if you can get rid of the rust without harming it it will be worth 1500 -1750. So that freebie you got made that car well worth the buy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Frank

I just returned from trolling through a local Gun & Knife Show.... most dealers were cagey and wanted to know how much I wanted for it instead of making an offer. I didn't fall for that, but instead made it known that I was interested in hearing any interesting offers. I turned down an $1800 offer from one dealer who had a buddy who was playing devils advocate and trying to say it wasn't all original because the feed ramp wasn't machined after finish.... I didn't fall for that either and quickly told him that the Parko-Lubrite Colt finish was considered by the US Army to be slick enough without machine polishing..... that sorta put a wet blanket on his charade. The dealer reached for the book and said it graded 80-85%, which translated to $2000-2200 in the book. Until I know how to properly grade it, I'll let his offer remain on the table.

I did pick up a correct magazine for a reasonable price of $35 - and bought a new government issue (supposedly) recoil spring so I can shoot it with a reasonable hope of protecting it from damage.

Frank

Frank, I have owned many guns older than that and shot them with no ill effects. I had a Colt Army Special .41 LC made 1906, Winchester #1897 12 gauge pump made in 1918, Winchester #1906 .35 WSL made in 1906, about three Remington #12 .22 pump rifles made before 1920, and two 1903 Colt .32 a.c.p. pistols made before 1915. OLD still works. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When you do shoot it, sit down at a bench and rest the gun on a few sandbags (pantlegs-cut off and fill with sand) and shoot it for accuracy, post the target for us to admire.

Frank, I forwarded this link to a friend of mine, Vance, to look over your gun. He knows 1911's, I didn't know he was into the military ones though so did not think to consult him about yours. If he contacts you, he is an honest and decent man. Kind of rare in the gun trader world. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Bruce. I'm still trying to find time to take it to the range and see the shot group.

Frank