M1911 WTB help

[seldomwright]

Okay let me preface this by admitting that I know NOTHING about the 1911 pistol. All I know is I want an one. And what I want is an older one from the 40's, one that looks very used, with a nice patina, with the bluing rubbed off in all the right places. Literally tell me what I'm looking for, please. What title or wording should I be searching for? I want an older one that looks like it's been around since 1911, but obviously still has life in it. Since my fruitless love affair has begun, everything I can find for sale is brand new or looks clean and perfect, and not at all what I'm fantasizing about. Can someone point me in the right direction?... or should I just keep looking and hope that "it" pops up for sale somewhere? Are there certain decades of production that have become iconographic or romanticized? Below is a web pic that I would say most exemplifies what I'm looking for. Thanks for reading.

[i1800collect]

you're probably looking for an old series 70 colt 1911

go to http://gunbroker.com/ and search "colt series 70"

[Colt]

Series 70 is newer than you're looking for. Look for "pre Series 70" instead. Actually, it's a pain - you kinda need to look at 'em all, or nearly all, because a lot of older ones are not listed by age category. Also, a 1940's is tough to find. I think you'd like anything 1930's through 1950's...

Here's a '52 I found last year - and it's awesome.



And a piece of a body parts target from yesterday - 8 rounds at seven yards unsupported...



Good luck!

[RolinThundr]

Try gun shows, there's one at the Cow Palace this weekend.

[PutTogether]

Religiously check the private firearms sale section here. There was a 50s production unit up recently, and I can remember seeing them here from time to time from 1918 all the way through the 60s.

[bombadillo]

Got a '43 ithaca on a good deal. Its in better condition than the pics make it look. 6 bills for it.


One of these days i'll change out the trigger to an original.

[seldomwright]

Just the info I wanted. You guys are totally helpful. Thanks. The quest begins!

[Black Majik]

Quite honestly, read up on everything relating to USGI 1911s. There are a lot of fakes out there, and many with mismatching or incorrect period parts on them. For the premium prices being commanded for those old warhorses, you'll have to pay extra attention and know what you're buying before forking over the money. Truth is, many of them ain't worth the money unless they're all correct.

You may be better served to find a good condition pre-series 70 or S70 Colt Government.

[B Strong]

Okay let me preface this by admitting that I know NOTHING about the 1911 pistol. All I know is I want an one. And what I want is an older one from the 40's, one that looks very used, with a nice patina, with the bluing rubbed off in all the right places. Literally tell me what I'm looking for, please. What title or wording should I be searching for? I want an older one that looks like it's been around since 1911, but obviously still has life in it. Since my fruitless love affair has begun, everything I can find for sale is brand new or looks clean and perfect, and not at all what I'm fantasizing about. Can someone point me in the right direction?... or should I just keep looking and hope that "it" pops up for sale somewhere? Are there certain decades of production that have become iconographic or romanticized? Below is a web pic that I would say most exemplifies what I'm looking for. Thanks for reading.

Imbert & Smithers in San Carlos has some different original 1911's in the consignment case.

Ask for Al, he'll help you out.