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Thoughts on this 1913 Colt 1911 and keyhole magazine for $4200?


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Really nice seller, and the gun looks great to me! It seems to be a little high, but not crazy (not counting random local good deals or from friends pricing). I don't mind paying extra to work with nice people and get a good gun too, but I also don't want to get ripped off though by not knowing 100% what I am looking at online. I am not completely up on my knowledge about these guns though, so I'm posting these pictures here to see what you guys think. Thanks!

 

 

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Mike,

Its a very nice Colt and yes the price seems high, but I'm no expert.

Here is all I know. Two years ago I bought 2 commercial Colts. One made in 1920 and one made in 1931. You can view pictures of these pistols on the outlaw forum.

I paid $2100 for the first and $1650 for the second.

But my guns were commercial and they were not second year production, so really not comparable.

Jim C

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Mike,

Its a very nice Colt and yes the price seems high, but I'm no expert.

Here is all I know. Two years ago I bought 2 commercial Colts. One made in 1920 and one made in 1931. You can view pictures of these pistols on the outlaw forum.

I paid $2100 for the first and $1650 for the second.

But my guns were commercial and they were not second year production, so really not comparable.

Jim C

 

Any feedback is good feedback.

 

Yea, i want an early gun. I got a beat up military 1918 for $1300, and a really nice military 1918 for $2200. Now I'd like to get a military one made during the first couple of years of production, and this one definitely fits the bill and appears all original to me with a good bit of holster wear with my relatively untrained eyes. For $4200 though, I'd love to hear what couple other people think though! Thanks again.

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I mentioned in another post that I was offered $3500 for my 1913 5 digit 1911 with the keyhole magazine ... The one you have pictured is in much better shape than mine ... I believe the keyhole magazine was only used for the first couple of years of manufacture ... I have seen them sell in the $500 range ... Nice weapon,

 

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I always pay "future retail" for a great condition item and nice seller. The value will catch up to you quick. Main thing to make sure, at that price, is that the barrel is original. I would offer $4000 if you really want it. No need for him to tack on the extra $200.

Eric

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It's a very nice piece. If I could afford it I wouldn't worry about the price. After a couple of years, you won't remember what you paid for it.

 

My grandfather was a US cavalryman who rode with John Pershing into Mexico in 1916. A couple of months after his death in 1968, a large box arrived from my grandmother. In it were some mementos of his time in the army that he had willed to me, including his campaign hat, a sweat-stained tooled and embossed wallet, and a woolen army blanket. Wrapped Inside the blanket was a 1914 production M1911 pistol. In it was a two-tone cavalry magazine containing seven rounds, each head stamped FA 17. I hadn't even known that the pistol existed. I don't know whether or not he carried the piece in Mexico. The pistol is tight, the finish is gone on the edges, and the bore is perfect. I has the same rounding of the base of the lower right grip as you see above. The gun is priceless.

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I always pay "future retail" for a great condition item and nice seller. The value will catch up to you quick. Main thing to make sure, at that price, is that the barrel is original. I would offer $4000 if you really want it. No need for him to tack on the extra $200.

Eric

 

How can I tell that the barrel is original. It's stamped H P he said.

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It's a very nice piece. If I could afford it I wouldn't worry about the price. After a couple of years, you won't remember what you paid for it.

 

My grandfather was a US cavalryman who rode with John Pershing into Mexico in 1916. A couple of months after his death in 1968, a large box arrived from my grandmother. In it were some mementos of his time in the army that he had willed to me, including his campaign hat, a sweat-stained tooled and embossed wallet, and a woolen army blanket. Wrapped Inside the blanket was a 1914 production M1911 pistol. In it was a two-tone cavalry magazine containing seven rounds, each head stamped FA 17. I hadn't even known that the pistol existed. I don't know whether or not he carried the piece in Mexico. The pistol is tight, the finish is gone on the edges, and the bore is perfect. I has the same rounding of the base of the lower right grip as you see above. The gun is priceless.

 

WOW! That's amazing. Enjoy that pistol. With the ammo and all from 1917. That's unreal.

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I always pay "future retail" for a great condition item and nice seller. The value will catch up to you quick. Main thing to make sure, at that price, is that the barrel is original. I would offer $4000 if you really want it. No need for him to tack on the extra $200.

Eric

 

How can I tell that the barrel is original. It's stamped H P he said.

http://coolgunsite.com/

has a lot of photos and information. Also the wear patterns should match

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I always pay "future retail" for a great condition item and nice seller. The value will catch up to you quick. Main thing to make sure, at that price, is that the barrel is original. I would offer $4000 if you really want it. No need for him to tack on the extra $200.

Eric

 

How can I tell that the barrel is original. It's stamped H P he said.

http://coolgunsite.com/

has a lot of photos and information. Also the wear patterns should match

Thanks. It looks like it is original.

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I always pay "future retail" for a great condition item and nice seller. The value will catch up to you quick. Main thing to make sure, at that price, is that the barrel is original. I would offer $4000 if you really want it. No need for him to tack on the extra $200.

Eric

 

How can I tell that the barrel is original. It's stamped H P he said.

I would have to look up the link and I will try for you but they have barrel markings based on serial numbers and not years. Changes were made mid year.

Eric

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If i were a betting man, i would say a later barrel. That could work in your favor negotiating, since you will never find an original under $1000

 

http://sightm1911.com/lib/history/barrel_markings_files/Colt4.htm

 

Can't be sure but this looks like your barrel and it's a later range of serial numbers.

Eric

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I think the barrel is correct? Here is the picture explaining from the book, and also a picture of another 1913 dated 1911 around the same serial number with the same barrel marking H on the top and no P marking. The H is turned different direction though. Hmmmm

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Edited by michaelkih
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