I Rescued a PERFECT M1911A1 .45 Pistol...

[Adam Helmer]

In my apraisal duties with local attorneys, I am asked to Identify and Appraise gun collections. Yesterday was a day to remember.

A person dropped off a cardboard box of pistols for me to identify, appraise and to clean/preserve as needed for the estate. At $75.00 per hour, I had fun looking through the "Grab Bag" of stuff. I will pass by the lesser arms and get to the GEM.
A Remington Rand M1911A1 in a Sears 1943 holster. The .45 was Perfect in and out. I water-cleaned the bore to remove any residual corrosive salts, dried and oiled the bore and slide. The pistol was made in October 1943 and appeared to be unfired. At 0800 this morning a grandson appeared at my home with an Order to take possession of the M1911A1. I complied and kept my Copy.

This was the absolute most Perfect+ M1911A1 Remington Rand I ever handled. I chatted with the lucky heir about caring for this Gem. His grandad was an officer in WWII in the 28th Division and "Liberated" this Remington upon his discharge in November 1945.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

You cleaned a mint 1911A1 and returned it to its rightful owner which is the right thing to do. Not sure what rescue was initiated and completed. Please explain. All the best...
Gil

[Catfish]

What is a mint one worth? I have a friend that has the one he carried when he was a spie in China in WWll. It is also cherry and looks unfired, but I`m sure it has been fire a few times. It the only 45 auto I`ve ever really wanted to own.

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Thank you; I was remiss in my initial post. The RESCUE was the estate had two sealed tins of WWII .45 caliber ammo which I advised the new M1911A1 owner to shun, OR properly clean his pistol after shooting the corrosive ammo.

Now, you have the rest of the story.......

Adam

[Adam Helmer]

Catfish,

I appraised this Excellent+ Remington Rand M1911A1 at $1,200-$2,000. That is predicated on the Sears 1943 holster, the pistol belt and the official "538 Record" showing that it was on the property record of officer so and so. The records are on hand, so it is up to whatever a willing buyer would pay.

Adam

[popplecop]

Very nice 1911A1, hope the Grandson takes good care of it.

[Adam Helmer]

popplecop,

I agree, the younger generation inheiriting WWII arms need to be made aware of the dangers of shooting corrosive ammo. Back about 1998, or so, a neighbor lad inheirited a Luger dated 1917 with matching magazines and holster that was his grandfather's WWI war trophy. Unfortunately, both magazines were full of WWI Ball ammo. The lad shot off both magazines and put the Luger away on a shelf. About a year later he brought it by to ask for an appraisal.

As I pulled on the toggle, a red dust appeared and dribbled out. The exterior was still nice, but the bore looked like the inside of my truck's tailpipe. I scrubbed the bore with a brush and hot soapy water, but the pits remained inside the bore. I told the lad he had a $300 parts gun rather than a $2,500-$3,000 gem.

About a year later, another fellow inheirited a M1903A3 and two bandoleers of Denver 1942 ball ammo. Again, the lad shot at chucks, targets, etc., and put the rifle in a closet. At a picnic a year later he was eager for me to see his rifle. Again, upon opening the bolt, a red dust fell onto the bolt face of the verticle rifle. We water cleaned the bore to little avail. Far too much corrosive ammo is still being sold at gun shows that will, sadly, ruin many bores.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

Thank you for the clarity. You estimated value sounds about right on the upper end. That 1911A1 in that condition with accessories and paperwork would sell north of $2,000.00 in the gun shops that I visit. All the best...
Gil