Help me find WW2 1911

[navycorpsman]

I need help from my fellow C&R calgunners. i have already posted in WTB area. But here to ask any of you around los angeles,orange county,san diego etc.. know where there is a nice WW2 1911 for sale for fair price.

I know martin B retting has a couple but they are a rip off. If any of you have one that your looking to offload then I am your man.

Thank you all for the help and advicee

[littlejake]

a nice WW2 1911 is not cheap. Why don't you check gunbroker.com They are C&R and therefore roster exempt.

Bain and Davis sometimes has some nice GI 1911's. They're in San Gabriel ask for Dave -- http://bainanddavisgunshop.com/

[MyOdessa]

Here you go:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=594391

[navycorpsman]

yeah saw that link. Gunbroker is okay just alot of dealers wont ship handguns to CA regardless of C&R or anything

[RMP91]

yeah saw that link. Gunbroker is okay just alot of dealers wont ship handguns to CA regardless of C&R or anything

Have you tried explaining to them the fact that C&Rs aren't subject to CA's "Roster"? (in a polite manner) and that there's *almost* no harm in shipping C&Rs to CA FFLs?

I'm in the same boat too, mate.

I found some beaten up, but still shootable S&W Model 39-2s on GB a while back for $300<, but almost all of the sellers explicitly (and VERY rudely, may I add) stated that they would not "Sell to California or any other Communist/Facist/Unamerican (The unamerican one really got me pissed ) states because of your bull**** Brady Campaign politics!

Sure they have a right to refuse service to anyone, but just because our laws suck doesn't mean you get to bash honest, hard working gun owners in California!

[Don the savage]

How much do you expect to pay? That would give us an idea where to send you.

[navycorpsman]

Have you tried explaining to them the fact that C&Rs aren't subject to CA's "Roster"? (in a polite manner) and that there's *almost* no harm in shipping C&Rs to CA FFLs?

I'm in the same boat too, mate.

I found some beaten up, but still shootable S&W Model 39-2s on GB a while back for $300<, but almost all of the sellers explicitly (and VERY rudely, may I add) stated that they would not "Sell to California or any other Communist/Facist/Unamerican (The unamerican one really got me pissed ) states because of your bull**** Brady Campaign politics!

Sure they have a right to refuse service to anyone, but just because our laws suck doesn't mean you get to bash honest, hard working gun owners in California!

Yeah i totally agree with you. kinda sux cause most are like that. But hey true gun collectors would want there guns passed on to someone who will appreciate it no matter where there from.

And last time i checked CALIFORNIA has greatest amount of War veterans besides TX, so hope they switch there thinking about cali

[ptmccain]

A true 1911-A1 made during World War II is going to cost you some very serious coin. We are talking $1,500 and way up, depending on condition.

I assume you know that?

If not, just a warning.

[navycorpsman]

A true 1911-A1 made during World War II is going to cost you some very serious coin. We are talking $1,500 and way up, depending on condition.

I assume you know that?

If not, just a warning.

Oh yes i know but its the 1 piece missing from WW2 collection

[razr]

The Blue Book on a 1911A1 Military in 98% condition between 24 - 45 will run you over $3500.00. Navy model could go up to plus 7K and Army will be around 9K. Add 150% to 300% for various serial numbers that could be tracked, depending on the condition. $2000.00 will get you one in 80% condition if you know what you are looking for.

[ptmccain]

Oh yes i know but its the 1 piece missing from WW2 collection

Would love to see your collection, any chance of pics?

I have a WWII M1 Carbine and two WWII M1s, but went with a 1911-A1 GI from SA.

[Wlee]

You will have to ask him for some more pics(his got taken down) but heres one in Seattle. I saw the pictures before they were removed and its a beautiful gun. http://seattleguns.net/showthread.ph...highlight=1911

[beetle]

tell us a bit more about what you are looking for. Are you looking for a true collectible or just a representative example of a WW2 1911? Price range? Without knowing some more specifics it's hard to make a recommendation. But here is some general information that may help.

I'll go in reverse collectible order, from least expensive to most expensive:

1) $700-$900 range. These would be your "mixmasters" and guns that have been modified. They are no longer original and would be nearly impossible to return to original configuration. Collectors would call these guns "shooters". Parts would be a mix of different manufacturers and may contain both vintage and modern parts. Sights most likely have been changed from the original GI to something more modern.

For Example:


Colt slide on a Remington Rand frame. reblued. Sights not original, trigger not original. a true "mixmaster". This is what you can expect in this price range (although not always this obvious). Unfortunately many WW2 GI guns are in this state now. In the late 60s the government liquidated it's inventory of 1911a1s. Because price was so cheap many of these ended up as the base gun for gunsmith modifications.

2) $1000-$1300 Re-arsenals. Guns in this range are also "mixmasters" but they were made this way by the government. After the war(s), many 1911s were rebuilt by government armorers. They did not pay attention to match manufacturers parts. They were just concerned with rebuilding the gun to operable conditions for storage. Arsenal guns will typically retain the original GI look (but if they were further modified by non-government then it would fall in the lower range above).

A re-arsenal might have a colt slide on remington rand frame. Sometimes you get lucky and you'll get a matching slide and frame. It's almost guaranteed that not all of the parts will match though. Maybe you'll have a ithaca slide stop on a colt gun, etc. You can tell a rearsenal by a stamp (typically on the left slide) with some initials. For example BA, AA, RIA etc. The second letter A typically means "arsenal" while the first letter is the location. Benecia Arsenal, Augusta Arsenal, Rock Island Arsenal, etc.

As an example:



This gun retains the original GI look although all of the parts may not be Colt. On the right side we can see that it was re-built by Rock Island Arsenal. At that time it was re-parkerized which is why the finish looks nice.

A nice gun, a representative example of a WW2 1911a1. Arsenal guns are considered to be a legtimitate category by collectors and their value should continue to appreciate (unlike the shooter class above).

3) $1500-$2700. Correct WW2 1911A1 guns. These are guns that are "matching" in that all of the parts are correct. Collectors will know all of the telltale signs in the small parts to tell who manufactured them. For example, on the mainspring housing late Colt models will have 7 ribs while Remington Rand will have 8 ribs.

At the lower part of the scale will be the Remington Rands and Ithacas, while Colt will be a few hundred more (just because more people want a Colt). $1700 or so should buy a Type 3 Remington Rand (late war manufacture). Earlier ones will be worth more.

Here is a nice correct Remington Rand which sold at auction for $1800:


Parts are all correct for this gun down to the blued slide stop, thumb safety, and trigger. Barrel is the correct High Standard and magazine is the correct Scoville. (although matching magazines is not a big factor on price).

Even better would be a *original* gun. Experts would be able to tell if the parts on the gun are the actual ones the gun was manufactured with. For example, a gun might have the right barrel in it, but it may have been put there by someone after the fact hoping to increase the value of the gun. However, if you can tell that the barrel is original to the gun it would raise the value. You can tell this by studying the wear patterns.

Most collectors try to find guns in this segment. They have appreciated significantly and in my opinion will continue to do so.

4) Somewhat rare and unique variations $3000+

A step up would be 1911s that are somewhat rare or unique. For example, a 1911a1 made by Union Signal and Switch. The main manufacturers were Colt, Remington Rand, and Ithaca. However, Union Signal and Switch received one contract (which was terminated earlier) and only made about 55,000 1911a1s (all very high quality). In comparison Remington Rand made over 800,000 pistols.

A nice US&S pistol would could go up to over $5K or more:


Other examples would be guns with rare inspection stamps. For example, the majority of Colts were stamped with GHD for Guy H Drewry. A "WB" "RS" or "CSR" or "JSB" marked Colt could bring signficantly more. For example a JSB colt might be in the $8K to $10K range.

5) The Unicorns -- sky's the limit.

There are a few super unique ww2 1911s that bring big bucks. For example, guns documented to Medal of Honor winners. or anything made by Singer manufacturing. Singer was awarded a educational contract of 500 pistols to study how production of the pistol might be increased. Only 500 were made and the result is that they are worth big bucks today. this one sold for $166,750.



As you can see ww2 1911a1s can run anywhere from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Give us an idea of what you are looking for and we can recommend some places to look.

good luck!

[navycorpsman]

Looking for correct grade. i have about 2000 to spend or in that area.

[SVT-40]

PM sent