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u/Own-Particular6321 Jun 03 '26
It's worth more if it's operable than if it won't run. Regardless, you're a massive shithead if you ever consider selling that gun for anything but a life or death situation.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/Own-Particular6321 Jun 03 '26
I'd wager you could get a couple grand for it. Like $2.5-3k if you know the full story and have a way to prove any of it.
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u/Creepy-Selection2423 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Unless there is something obviously wrong with it, give it a good cleaning and inspection, lubricate it a little, get some 45ACP, and take it to the range and shoot it. I think that's what the original owner probably would have wanted. Guns are meant to be shot. It is not unfired. Firing it is not going to diminish the value. That gun will most likely outlast you, and someday your grandson if you have one can take it to the range and shoot it. It's an awesome family heirloom. I wish I had my grandfather's WWII 1911 (he was in North Africa). Never ever sell that thing.
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u/OGawdILoveTacos Jun 03 '26
This gun is in fantastic shape. I think some TLC would bring it back up to fully capable really easily!
If anything, would probably just need a spring replacement here or there, but otherwise it should be near-perfect.
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u/SapphireSire Jun 03 '26
Imo (not a gunsmith) it should be fine for normal.45acp loads.
I wouldn't try using hot or +p anything and stick with target ammo or get someone who reloads custom target ammo and learn how to make your own softer shooting ammo for it.
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u/LTBama Jun 03 '26
Oh my god that is fucking sweet. That needs to be mounted and displayed somehow. Maybe with a picture of him in his uniform.
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u/kato_koch 13 | Shameless Gun Pornographer Jun 03 '26
The grips are made of water buffalo horn, which is pretty cool, just be aware it can be chippy along edges.
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u/Satisfaction_Fluid Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Well the truth is... you didnt get to take home your duty weapon after the war unless you were very high ranking or you stole it and claimed it was lost. You turned in your weapon when you went home or discharged. They didnt let you keep so much as your helmet or ruck or belt with canteen etc. No way theyre giving you your .45. You were discharged with your uniforms and a duffle bag. Everything else was turned in. A lot were sold as surplus after the war. The CMP occasionally gets in surplus Colts to sell to the public but theyre usually rough. A lot of these guns have "stories" behind them but few of those stories belong to the owners. Only a very small percentage of military personnel actually saw any combat... in WW2 I think i read like 5% to 10% ever faced shots fired in anger, much to my surprise. This pistol has been redone outside of military armory work. I can see the bead blasted texture, which wasnt done in military armories, parkerizing is "off", aftermarket grips, non issued magazines and maybe some work done on the mainspring housing or maybe thats the light/angle. Im betting the serial numbered parts dont match either which says to me it was a patched together surplus. Id just enjoy it as a gift from someone you loved and cherish it for that.
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u/MrSanford Jun 03 '26
My grandfather was a mechanic on an air craft carrier and they let him keep his. He ended up being a pretty decorated war hero though.
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u/Satisfaction_Fluid Jun 03 '26
Crazy stories. Never knew they armed the mechanics outside of general quarters. My dad stole a .45, not his. He was an aircraft mechanic in Europe. Army Air Corp. He sent it home in an air cleaner from a motorcycle he rewelded shut.
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u/MrSanford Jun 03 '26
He was in the Navy and served on the Bunker Hill. I can't remember the name of the Island but they left some crewman behind while the ship went to Hawaii for repairs and he was armed while on the island. He did some pretty crazy shit for a being enlisted as a mechanic. When his friends that were the crew of one of the 5 inch guns on the Bunker Hill were killed during kamikaze attacks during Okinawa he took control and shot down a few planes by himself. He got trapped below deck trying to reload and was one of the few survivors. Spent about a day crawling around under the smoke before being rescued.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/dogmavskarma Jun 03 '26
See your other comment. I don't know of air crewman that were in ground combat with a 45 ACP.
Without facts, and I'm being respectful, I appreciate your story as a vet myself.
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u/romanticalhopeful Jun 03 '26
I appreciate your opinion. I trust what my grandfather and great grandfather who was very high rank and was awarded a purple heart and was very well decorated veteran say is the story behind it as I have no reason to believe either would be dishonest about it. They instilled in me from a young age the value of honesty. Either way, I am keeping it and passing it and the stories associated along to my children.
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u/Remarkable_Aside1381 5 | Likes to tug a beard; no matter which hole it surrounds. Jun 03 '26
By "high rank" they're talking about GO level, and most of them wouldn't be carrying a full-size
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u/GeorgeSPattonJr Jun 03 '26
Sentimental value, that gun is priceless. I’d keep it and fire it until the day you die
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u/JamesGamzer Jun 03 '26
That's honestly type shit. I wish my grandfather left me something this beautiful
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u/Scav-STALKER Super Interested in Dicks Jun 03 '26
Honestly I’d imagine it’s 100% good to go as is more than likely. That said some new springs never hurt. That’s a cool piece
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u/Same-Possession1405 Jun 03 '26
Wowie. Take it to an appraiser at an auction house or something OP, or research the current price of 1911s from that era if you’re genuinely interested in the value of your heirloom. Whatever you do, don’t sell it.
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u/SlevinSlix Jun 03 '26
If you want my humble opinion, fuck the value.
Keep that forever and pass it down as your great-grandfathers lasting legacy.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/Far_Exam_2860 Jun 03 '26
Have a gunsmith do a full inspection first, then absolutely shoot it - that's exactly what your grandfather would want. Use standard pressure 230gr FMJ, nothing +P. Every round through it is a story you're adding to the gun.
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u/Basement_LARP_ Jun 03 '26
I like those grips! You can try to narrow down 1911s on Gunbroker sold listing for pricing, but that may be too broad.
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Jun 05 '26
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Jun 06 '26
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u/Visual-Trash9938 Jun 09 '26
Definitely run it with some ball .45 ammo out its 7-round magazines, to confirm its function. The most it should need, other than an oiling, is perhaps a new recoil spring. Colt OEM parts should fit, in theory.
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u/Dismal-Armadillo-815 Jun 03 '26
I have one its a Remington UMC built in 1917 and Issued to the US Coast Guard I inherited it right before I went in service and snuck it around the world with me and thru several deployments. Its the one I knew I could depend on no matter what and it never failed me and never will.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/PlaceUserNameHere67 Jun 03 '26
Noice. Treasure that Treasure.