I have a batch of permits coming soon and one of the items I am looking to purchase is a vintage 1911.  I know very little about them but I know there are several people on here who are well versed in this topic.  

 

I know that I want something original, all numbers matching.  I would also prefer something ww2 or older.  I know that some manufacturers are worth much more than others and finish/condition are very determining factors.  

 

Let's say that I am looking in the under $2k price range, preferably around $1500.  What should I be looking for and where should I be looking?

 

Thanks!

 

Blake

Blake make sure the gun has not been refinished. There is a wealth of info at coolgunsite.com on USGI 1911's. Whatever you buy if shipped, make sure you get a 3 day inspection period. They pop up from time in the Colt forums or CMP forum classifieds. Good luck and please post pics if you get one.

Also if you want a nice shooter, Auto Ordnance makes a sweet looking copy of a USGI M1911. That way you won't have to risk damaging a $2000 piece of history shooting it.

Blake make sure the gun has not been refinished. There is a wealth of info at coolgunsite.com on USGI 1911's. Whatever you buy if shipped, make sure you get a 3 day inspection period. They pop up from time in the Colt forums or CMP forum classifieds. Good luck and please post pics if you get one.

 

Thanks for the input, I will check those sites.  Will be sure to post pics when I find something.  

 

Making sure its not refinished isn't something I thought of, great call out!  

Also if you want a nice shooter, Auto Ordnance makes a sweet looking copy of a USGI M1911. That way you won't have to risk damaging a $2000 piece of history shooting it.

 

I have a couple of shooter 1911's picked out for this batch of permits, I would really like to grab a nice historical piece for posterity sake though.  

I bid on one few years back it was made by RR Pennsylvania switch co.. i stopped at 3500  very rare pistol..

I walked into a LGS 2-3 years ago and they had just consigned a US&S, all orig. For 1800!!! I could not get my wallet out fast enough. 2 years ago bought a matching Springfield made in 1915 for 2600.00, current value on SA 4500-5K, US&S is about 4K. Also have a few REM. UMCs. Matching go for 3500+. Blake, I have been collecting these for years. prices are shooting up!

Visit the Oaks gunshow in PA, there is always a table of all USGI 1911 pistols. I have a Colt M1911A1 myself.

 

Look at every part to see if it's original military or not. Mine has a non military mag release but its hard to tell unless you have an attention for detail. Read up on the different variations of hammer and slide. You can buy a Franken-1911 for less than a "correct" one and buy all the right pieces later at your leisure. That's what I did. I traded black powder hunting rifles for a mixed-bag pistol. M1911 slide, hammer and trigger, non-military mag release as I said, and the rest is M1911A1. Ive had an offer of 1,500 for it as-is, but I'm planning on getting the right parts and keeping it anyway.

Thanks for the feedback guys.  Here is an example for you, I was thinking about bidding on this but didn't.  Would this have been a decent deal?  Says original matching Colt from WW1 era.  

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=369249911

just ordered a replica ww1 turnbull

 

Hand fitted/tack-driver:

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/store.asp?pid=37325&catid=19872

Thanks for the feedback guys.  Here is an example for you, I was thinking about bidding on this but didn't.  Would this have been a decent deal?  Says original matching Colt from WW1 era.  

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=369249911

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=371521771

Either one of these GB auctions look good. Also look at the sistemas and arsenal rebuilds. They are collectibles also. I shoot the sistema. Hardened slides. Early black army should NOT be shot.