What is this 1911 worth?

[Desertbound1024]

I recently was given a 70's colt model 70 government chambered in 38 super. I was wondering what these guns usually sell for in the used market. It is in decent shape, and has an ambi safety and slide release. I have a few people who are interested in it but I'm not sure what a fair price would be.


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[9mmContagion]

1500ish depending on condition I'd guess. Possibly more of superb condition

[offrdmania]

Doesnt look like superb condition

[SkyHawk]

Slide release, thumb safety, grip safety, possibly trigger - doesn't look original. Lucky the frame may not have been ground on though to blend the beavertail. That arched mainspring housing may not be original.

Are you sure it is a Colt frame?

If it is a Colt frame, maybe around $1200-$1300 in CA if the frame wasn't ground to blend a grip safety. Less than that in a free state. Looks like the finish is pretty worn. Seriously need some better pics, outdoors in indirect light would help.

Also a serial number would help tell you what year it was made and what the configuration should be.

[dezcars]

I have seen them in ok condition going for 900 to 1100

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[AKexpat]

IMO, it is a Frankengun. Definitely an extended slide stop.

I had a Colt Combat Commander in matte nickel in the 90's that would not shoot for crap (because the .38 Super headspaced on the recessed rim) so I obtained a Bar-Sto barrel that headspaced on the case mouth like a .45 or 9mm round. Better, but still no joy. My 1911 .45 ACP pistols shot circles inside the .38 Super groups.

And why is there a beavertail grip safety of any type with a Government style hammer?

And why the miniscule 1911 Government sights with the other improvements?

The grips look nice if you like that style/color.

I think it is probably a shooter, just by looking at the wear.

Sight unseen other than your pics, I would give you $450 for it, and I am a long ago cheapskate.

Hope you do well.

Jim

[jon94520]

I would keep it as a shooter, like the previous posters said its not all original so an exact estimate can be hard to say. Throw some nice pachmayr grips on her and shoot the snot out of it.
I'll take those grips off your hands for $20

[machrono]

IMO, it is a Frankengun......

+1

Wrong hardware. Ambi safety?

[Desertbound1024]

Definitely isn't in perfect shape. Didn't think it was a collectors item. Not very knowledgeable when it comes to 1911's, just figured I'd see if it's worth anything at all.


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[Oceanbob]

My guess.

$1300

Grips are awesome.

[Desertbound1024]

I was told that the gun was found in the desert in the 70's and not shot much since. Serial number is clear.


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[Desertbound1024]

What is this 1911 worth?

Frame has oil residue on it in the pictures. The blued finish is in decent shape.



Looks like it has a lot of tooling marks? Not sure if this is common or if this gun is hammered. I'm clueless when it comes to these guns.


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[Desertbound1024]

What is this 1911 worth?

Serial number: 70S35376




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[SkyHawk]

I also wondered about the spur hammer with the beavertail. Unusual to say the least. If the hammer doesn't beat on the beavertail, then I guess it works.

You have a collet style barrel bushing, which is original but some folks don't like it compared to a solid bushing, and then some folks swear by them.

Your barrel lugs and slide locking lugs don't look beat up too bad but hard to tell with those pics. It is a Colt frame so that is good news. That looks like an odd cross hatch tooling mark inside the slide forward of the lugs, someone else may be able to comment on that.

Serial doesn't come up in the Colt database.

The finish is not great but I have seen worse. And it is a franken-gun but it is still a Series 70 Colt and in 38 Super which is not as common and some people are ga-ga for it. Worth around $1000 in CA if the frame isn't cracked or ground on, lugs are square, and vertical impact surface isn't hammered. Maybe still up to $1300 to the right buyer. Some nationalities really go for these 38 Supers and you don't have many options for them on the roster, and none are Colt. Someone could really go wild with a new finish and custom work or restore it to original configuration.

I'd spend $10 on a new recoil spring, make sure the ejector isn't loose - and go enjoy it.

[Desertbound1024]

IMO, it is a Frankengun. Definitely an extended slide stop.



I had a Colt Combat Commander in matte nickel in the 90's that would not shoot for crap (because the .38 Super headspaced on the recessed rim) so I obtained a Bar-Sto barrel that headspaced on the case mouth like a .45 or 9mm round. Better, but still no joy. My 1911 .45 ACP pistols shot circles inside the .38 Super groups.



And why is there a beavertail grip safety of any type with a Government style hammer?



And why the miniscule 1911 Government sights with the other improvements?



The grips look nice if you like that style/color.



I think it is probably a shooter, just by looking at the wear.



Sight unseen other than your pics, I would give you $450 for it, and I am a long ago cheapskate.



Hope you do well.



Jim

I appreciate the response. The gun shoots good, I'm not actively looking to sell the gun. I mainly just wanted to better understand what I have.


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