Hey guys, first post; after my intro post. I have come across a unicorn and itching to add it to my collection. It’s a Series 70 Gold Cup National Match in electroless nickel with ambidextrous safety. And by looking at it, it appears to have been a safe queen; not a single wear mark on the feed ramp. From what I can see, everything is original, but I have not field stripped it yet to see if the barrel bushing is the original collet or has been swapped out. My LGS just picked this up from an estate sale, and has not come up on a price yet. I have first dibs and trying to do some research on value. From my findings, this gorgeous pistol goes for around $3,000-$3,500. Does this sound about right? Thanks! View attachment 651295

Bought one exactly like yours in the late 90’s with the box for $750. It looked unfired and there was some discussion if it was a factory offering, but all our search efforts then showed that it had probably been done after the fact, but it was still a gorgeous gun like yours!

 

Sold For: $2,975.00

Colt Series ’70 e-Nickel Gold Cup National Match RARE Electroless Nickel 1911A1 & Box, C&R - LSB Auctions

Sold For: $2,975.00 LSB#: 170413MM01 Make: Colt Model: MKIV Series 70 Gold Cup National Match Serial Number: 70N79694 Year of Manufacture: Post 1976 - ATF C&R Listed Caliber: .45 ACP Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine Markings: The left side of the slide is marked...

lsbauctions.com

 

In my area that price would be a good one for one of those. Although, the ambi-thumb safety and the wide grip safety are most likely not original unless they were special ordered from Colt. Factory Electroless Nickel finish is scarce on these, however, there were others that were also doing the E-nick finish during the early 80's as an aftermarket finish so in order to validate it a Colt Archive letter would need to be purchased. I'd use some caution since the wide grip safety appears to be the same finish as the gun in the photo. Maybe it's not, maybe it's stainless, hard to tell in the pic. But if it is the same finish and if it's not original to the gun, I'd say you only have about a 50% chance the guns finish is original from Colt. For that kind of cash, I would definitely call the Colt Archives to confirm it. Hopefully everything is all Colt factory original. Anyway, it's a good-looking piece. Good luck.

 

Thank you for the info. My LGS says it’s all original, but I did not see any documentation when he brought out the original box. I will ask him if there is any paperwork backing up his claim, but also put in a call to Colt.

 

If it's in the original box, the label should help confirm the finish unless of course, the box and/ or label are faked reproductions. Post some pics here of the box and label if you get a chance and run the serial number on this link to see if you can get a date of production. Take care.

Colt's Manufacturing LLC

 

She’s a holy grail. Made in 1980 and all work done at Colt Custom Shop. Thanks for your help.

 

So did you actually get it?

 

Start the paperwork next week

 

I remember when those came out, a buddy bought two, a blued one and an electroless nickel one, he swapped out the top ends to get an early "two-tone" pistol and sold the blued frame/nickeled slide. He did it the hard way. He was a pretty good shot, and did okay in our local IPSC club matches (before there was a USPSA). I wonder if he knows how much it would have been worth if he'd left it alone?

 

How about my label? Something doesn’t line up. Why the cursive writing in pen on yours? Fake labels are easy. Maybe this is fake. Who know

 

How about my label? Something doesn’t line up. Why the cursive writing in pen on yours? Fake labels are easy. Maybe this is fake. Who know View attachment 651387

Label writing styles can vary based on who was doing the writing during the day at the time. Most likely several people. And maybe an entry level person(s) position. Colt Custom Shop was pumping out a lot of guns back then. Pretty boring job I would imagine. Anyway, I'd be willing to bet yours is real too. It looks like what a 40+ year old box and Custom Shop label should look like.

What's interesting is that you have; a 1979 Gold Cup whereas I have a 1979 Combat Commander, both in Electroless Nickel, and both have the same Factory Order number FO11074 (upper right). So that means more than likely both guns were shipped out to the very same store/ company for re-sale after leaving the factory.

 

Ya I can only imagine how many smiths they had roll through there. And I’m sure they all had their own style of writing. Kinda cool my guy wrote in cursive, so fancy for a now fancy pistol lol. When I saw the original bill of sale for $500 I was a little taken back; since now, 42 years later, they are selling for 8x+ that price.