1945 M1911 A1 spoon value?
 

I have a subcontractor, who has a 1945 M1911 A1 spoon he’s thinking about selling.

What do you think the value would be for one in average condition? He was thinking $1500.

What would I look for, besides the slide serial number matching the frame serial number?

Edit 1: The picture is terrible, but it looks like there’s a slight chip in the trigger and the spoon is worn.

Edit 2: I’m not looking for a showpiece, but I’ve always wanted one and would like to take it to the range for some plinking.


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Do you just want a 1911, or do you want a 1911 from the war years? If you just want one, I'd get a newer production from a decent manufacturer. For poors like me, Rock Island makes a pretty decent 1911. If you can drop the $1500, I'd get something like this Springfield and still have money for a case of ammo at current prices.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/903059886


If you want a true GI one, then I'd see what you need to do to qualify to buy one from the CMP. https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/1911-information/

It's all about if the military origin is important to you. I cannot speak to the value of that particular pistol.

For me, for equal $, I would buy a fine modern example.

I was thinking of the war years for one. To me, it means more, but that could be unreasonable.

All my spoons are relatively new, except my dads S&W 38 Special. It’s at least 60 years old and never fired in that time. It’s still in the box, with papers, etc.

Seeing where things have gone, I would start at $2500.

Not enough info is provided...from.what i can see it is a rework

Who is the sub contractor..amount of finish remaining, are all the parts correct for that variation?

A ww2 1911 a1 in mint original condition is worth a lot. So if it hangs together and is a a good price it is a no brainer of buying it.

I’ve got one from 1943 in fantastic condition, also stamped “UNITED STATES PROPERTY,” “US ARMY.”

I’m looking to get the “matching” German P-38 9mm.

Values of these historical pieces are definitely going up in value.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1627141584.jpg

I have a P—38 my grandmothers brother (great uncle?) traded a bottle of wine for in Africa during the war. It is decent shape as he took care of it until his passing.

Not one I will ever part with.

I have my Dad's Colt Lightweight Officers Model from Korea and Vietnam.

I also have a Browning High Power with Nazi stamps that was a bring back from WWII...from my wife's family, Uncle Raplh.

I shoot them once a year, sometimes more. You can absolutely source the wear items if the pistol is in good shape.

I would take it to a gunsmith who knows that era of pistol to make sure it is in operable shape and recommend any new parts.

Of course keep all the old parts.

They shoot great, not Dan Wesson great, but you get the idea.

Gunbroker is your friend: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=remington%20rand%20.45

Would buy at $1,500

I have a us army early.41 brushed blue..starting late 41they began parkerizing them.

My late father-in-law brought this one home from Italy. He was Army Infantry, and had walked across North Africa chasing Rommel. Some time after D-Day, they were sent up to Italy.

He presented it to me just after I married his daughter, at a family "meet the new son-in-law" gathering. When he brought it out to give it to me, one of his sisters said "oh, Orv, I didn't know you had a gun".

Well, over the next 33 years, old Orv and I got to be best buddies. Not many can say that about their father-in-laws. I knew we were peas in a pod when he answered her "I got it from a German acquaintance in Italy". She replied "oh, that was awfully nice of him...". Old Orv just looked at me, rolled his eyes, and smiled. "Yes, honey, that was very nice of him." We saw things, and approached life, pretty much the same way. I really miss old Orv.


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Great story Jeff

Thanks for sharing

Rgn

Orv was a a solid dude, no doubt.

German acquaintance in Italy, ha

$1500 for a Springfield colt? I know I’ve had mine for a while, but I don’t think I paid $500 for it. Just had it out at the range today. A 1911 is definitely made for close in work.

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Elmer Keith relates a story about this in his autobiography Hell, I was There.

He was apparently told that by a group of Army officers one day, including a General who told Keith that he would be more than happy to stand anywhere outside of 50 yards or so and let anyone who cared to do so bang away at him all day long with a 1911. Keith placed a washtub out at 200 yards and proceeded to empty several magazines into it without missing once. He then turned to the General and said "your turn".

Jeff and Red have you looked up where yours were manufactured and when? I did one time with mine, very interesting.

Not a stock 1911 but still.

Forward to 7:00 for the 300 yard small plate bet.

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I am pretty sure a competent shooter could hit a 12" plate all day with my 1911. I am not great but could hit that plate most of the day long.

Our pistol club's best shooter, Garbor, had never handled my 1911 before. He then shot a magazine full of 10s and 9s at 25 meters.

I've shot it with reasonable success at the rifle range, off the bench, at 25M pistol targets 100 meters out.