Need help w/1911 finish %

[SunkenShadow]

Hey guys,

I just came across a 1911 Commercial Colt made in circa 1913. Everything is matching on the gun but one of the biggest issues is the finish. Would you guys be able to determine the finish for me?

[markw]

That's a thumbnail link, you can click on it and it gets bigger.

[cannon]

Looks like it's blued (in black)

[SunkenShadow]

actually, i blue-booked the gun, its actually a high-gloss/polish blue...cause of its low serial number...the only problem is i can't determine worth because i'm unsure of the 'percentage' of finish left on that gun :-/...and it's the same on the other side of the gun too

[SunkenShadow]

no one has an opinion on amount of finish left on the gun?

[Chief-7700]

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/Condition-NRA-Guns.htm

[fighterpilot562]

how does it shoot, looks pretty rough

[westcoast362]

With a single dark photo it is not possible to give an accurate condition percentage. More detailed well lit pics would help.

[SunkenShadow]

Not sure if it shoots right now...i'd have to go have a gunsmith check it and haven't bought it yet either. i would go and take more pictures but it's a 2 hr drive for me...it was an interesting find but it does look rough.

and the reason why i ask about the whole % thing is cause i want to know if thats sadly a shooter or a collector :-/

[razr]

How do you know it was made circa 1913? Because the slide says that? You'll need to know more before you could determine if it is a "shooter" or not. Personally I wouldn't shoot an old Colt regardless of the finish. If you want a shooter buy one.

[SunkenShadow]

It's circa 1913 cause of the serial #s....it's C18xx....however, it's definitely on the worn side. Even though the pic is a lil dark, if you zoom a lil, finish on it is pretty worn and there is definitely signs of wear all over the place. I'm under the assumption that below a certain point, if the original finish on a collector's piece is TOO worn, it wouldn't be a collector anymore and you might as well use it as a shooter or buy a shooter.

[SunkenShadow]

mayhaps this still be too small?

[westcoast362]

From what I can see it doesn't look that bad for a ninty-nine year old gun, but it looks like it has a later hammer. The hammer could be changed for a correct one, but what other parts may have been changed over the years.

[razr]

I have seen WW2 guns with 2% bluing left on them go for over 2K. If all parts are original then it'll hold its value. Good luck with it.