Here's mine for comparison. Mine is from 1914. If you are a shooter I would shy away from a WWI era pistol due to the lack of heat treating. Slides and frames will crack with extended use.

 

My guess is it is a commercial model that was purchased by the army. It is stamped US ARMY but I couldn't find any inspector marks.

Why guess? How do you know it was made in 1914? What is the serial number? Is it a "No" or a "C"?
What are all the roll marks?

Even a commercial Government Model has company inspector marks, look at the left root of the trigger guard on tsv's gun for the VP triangle.

They are probably asking a stout price for it in the old Shotgun News style of "5% original finish in protected areas" and you need to know what you are getting into.

 

Does it have 'Model of 1911 U.S. Army' on the RH side of the slide?

 

You asked what it might be worth. At auction, based on my involvement, a WW1 era U.S. 1911 .45 acp can sell for upwards of $2000.00 depending on it's overall condition. Can't say exactly, but based on your description I'd say that amount is a fair bet.

 

Another Hair-Cut over the....

 

All good questions and suggestions. I will have more information shortly. Unfortunately when I did have a chance to look at and handle it I didn't have the chance to really look closely and take notes.
This pistol is coming up for auction along with a ton of other guns, reloading equipment & components and miscellaneous related items. The auction house will sell everything that has a bid and there are no minimums. Essentially, if a bid is placed it's sold, If the is no bid it goes back to the current owner.
This is not really my "cup of tea" since I am a shooter, not a collector. But if can pick it up for a very good price I will be tempted.
And yes, I realize that a 1914 1911 is not intended to be a "shooter".

 

Jack-45ACP,

OK, post # 2 has a Very Nice 1914 Government Model (Commercial Production/Sales Pistol).

Here's an early 1914 M1911. (If you get the chance, take pictures, instead of notes ! ?) BTW, the slide roll-stamps changed later in the 1914 M1911.

Best Regards,

 

I went to the auction house to help a friend drop off a load. He is ill, not going to recover, and giving up his shooting & reloading hobby. That was the load we were dropping off. I did not go with any intention of shopping for a gun to add to my modest collection.

824tsv's 1911 was obviously refinished, either that or almost never saw a range or holster. Stan2's has seen some use but is still in much better condition, cosmetically, than what I'm looking at.

In a week or so, when they post the catalog for the auction, I will post the photos of the 1911 along with more info.

As I said already, I'm a shooter and not a collector. So I'm doubtful the bid price will be low enough to really tempt me.

Have any of you actually fired your early 1911s? If I do acquire this pistol I will have to give it a little time on the range; after a thorough inspection, clean & lube, and new springs. I know, blasphemous, right?

 

Have any of you actually fired your early 1911s? If I do acquire this pistol I will have to give it a little time on the range; after a thorough inspection, clean & lube, and new springs. I know, blasphemous, right?

Yep, I have put about 500 rounds through my 1913 Colt 1911. Had a newer RemRand slide (as I got it from the CMP), but like you, I own guns to shoot not just look at.

However, most here definitely do not approve of this.

 

"824tsv's 1911 was obviously refinished"
No sir! It's 100% original.

 

WOW!! Now that has to be one of the greatest "finds" I have ever seen. Good for you buddy.
I'm afraid to ask how much that cost you. Or was it left to you by a very thoughtful relative?

 

I bought that pistol in the early 80’s, right place right time. I don’t remember exactly what I paid but I believe it was $500

 

OK guys, here are some photos. BTW, the bids are already over $1,000, and there's a week left before the bidding closes. So that's more than I would want to spend. I'd still like to hear comments from those who know a lot more than I do about these vintage 1911s.

 

You didn't miss a thing. Serious pitting all over. I wouldn't pay $1000 either.

IMO, that pistol has close to zero % in finish.

 

Probably worth more and more desirable to some in that condition instead of being refinished.

 

Probably so, but it is also in the category that Turnbull would be willing to let you spend a couple of thousand bucks on making look real nice.

 

I did not have the time to disassemble it myself. But the older gent (retired from his own gun shop) who comes in when needed to disassemble, clean, inspect & catalog firearms for the auction house, was there and we talked for while. He said he was amazed that the pistol was all original and in such good mechanical condition. The finish is mostly gone but mechanically the pistol is tighter than many new 1911s; not a single "rattle". The serial # (86490) puts the date of manufacture as 1914 on Colt's website and between 1912 & 1913 on another website.

The auction house has been in operation for almost 100 years and has a good reputation.

I've been a fan of the 1911 since the early 70s, own a few and shoot & maintain them regularly. I'm not an expert in antique firearms but this 1911 appears to me to be the real deal.

UPDATE: The current bid is over $1500 and climbing. Interesting.

 

Jack-45ACP,

The/that Horizontal "P H " Barrel is becoming difficult to obtain. One may find one on a show table (or junk box) for near-to-nothing, however,...once on ebay or GB they are expensive.

Best Regards,

 

COLT No 86490 is one of 750 (86201 - 86950) Pistols, shipped on 12 Jun 1914 to the Chief Quartermaster, State of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ.

 

Thanks Stan. I didn't know to look for that "PH". It may be there but even on the examples that I found on the internet the "PH" was not exactly obvious. Hey, I learned something I didn't know before, which is always a good thing.

 

It's worth keeping, forever.

 

For anyone who may be interested, the firearms included in the auction were available for inspection today. The top bid on the 1914 vintage 1911 jumped to $2500. I'm told that tomorrow, the last day, is when the bidding gets fast & furious.
Never participated in an auction before. This is interesting and kinda' fun.
I did bid on some primers, power and bullets (3 items). I let myself be outbid on the primers and powder when it exceeded my "good deal" point. Still high bidder on the bullets. We'll see tomorrow.

This can become addictive, kinda' like gambling.

 

Yup, auctions can pull you in when you get caught by the FOMO (fear of missing out) bug. Always set a limit as to what you're willing to bid and hold yourself to it, otherwise you'll be the guy who ends up winning a Hi-Point for $800.

 

"Spending $800 for a Hi-Point"!! That's the kind of nightmare that wakes you up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

I did pretty much what you suggest. I determined what today's prices would be and then bid up to about 50% of that. Surprisingly I'm seeing others continue to bid up to, or even beyond, today's prices.

 

The bidding for that vintage 1911 topped out at just under $3,000.

Interesting to see what some of this stuff goes for. For example, a Dillon Square Deal B in 100% condition, with dies for 5 calibers sold for $225 when the current price is $585 with 1 caliber. Caliber conversion kits are $145 each. BTW, Dillon Square Deal B presses have been unavailable/out-of-stock for a long time.

 

The bidding for that vintage 1911 topped out at just under $3,000.

Jack-45ACP,

3 K for the 1914 M1911 pictured in post # 15,...Wow, well that's an Auction for you !!

Best Regards,

 

Pic of a 1912 1911 ser#117XX From the Benicia Arsenal in CA. I have shot reduced Wild Bunch loads from it and is tight and accurate. Thanks

 

That looks like very good condition, much better than the one I looked at. Does it have military markings? I can't tell from your photo.

 

Jack-45ACP,

Here's more on/about No 117XX: 1912 Colt 1911

Best Regards,