A friend of mine just bought a Colt 1911A1 on a farm auction and is wanting to resell it. Doing some research on the net the serial number tells me it was made in 1942. Is this valuable? Is it usable if not a collectable?
I was raised in the Church of the Appropriate Revolver but thought it would be fun to have a 1911. I hear you guys say they are addictive.
He won't tell me what he paid and hasn't given me a price. It looks shootable and is fun to hold. Any thoughts?
Tex

It's worth practically nothing and would be dangerous to keep around. Please send it to me for safe disposal.

Seriously, it sounds like he found a piece of history.

Get a hold of the Blue Book. I don't have one handy right now.

I want it
an orginal 1940's 1911 mmmmmmmmmm.....

In my Blue Book, a couple years old:

Pre-WW II S/N C138,533 - C215,000 100% $1,495 90% $850 80% $695

1946-1950 S/N C221,000 - C240,227 100% $1,350 90 % $725 80 % 660

First thing first, make sure its a colt, it can be one of many manufacturers' from Remington rand, to singer, to inland S&S or a colt, which can definitely affect cost.

NOTE there are many resources out there, and some are slinging some hysterically high prices. If you want a second opinion on the gun and value, I would be happy to give you a hand.

I never go to the right auctions.

Exactly, now the decision. Do I tell him he may have a valuable collector - if he hasn't figured it out first, or do I see just how cheap I can buy it?

I think the friend thing wins. I'll tell him he may have a piece of history and then let him decide what to do with it. If he still wants to sell it and gives me a price I'll post more info.

So much of the value of that thing depends on condition who can say?

Make him a fair offer and you'll stay friends, keeping in mind his cost if he told you what he paid for it.

You could also chech back issues of Gun Digest the Magazine.