I have a 1936 colt 1911 (C prefix).it was my grandfather's then dad's, Now mine. It has about 50 percent of bluing left,grips were swapped out in 39 or 40. I would like to have it professionally restored to as new condition by reputable shop like Turnbull or similar. Still shoots great. In my opinion it should help rather than hurt the value. I have no intention on selling anytime soon. Any advice would be appreciated
Refinish or not
- Thread starter Buckeye87
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1KPerDay
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Up to you. I'd leave it alone personally. Grandpa's and Dad's histories are written in those wear marks and patchy bluing. If you have it fully restored by Turnbull it won't be worth what you paid for the restoration, if that matters to you. Have you priced out a full turnbull restoration?
Clarification: It may boost the value of the pistol (meaning someone may pay $1300-$1500 for your Colt rather than $900-$1000---or whatever a 50% blued 1936 colt 1911 is going for now) but IMO you can't just add the price of a Turnbull restoration to the value of the Colt and figure that's what it's worth now. Unless you find a very specific buyer. And for an heirloom, why worry about the value anyway? Are you going to sell your Grandfather's/Father's 1911?
Clarification: It may boost the value of the pistol (meaning someone may pay $1300-$1500 for your Colt rather than $900-$1000---or whatever a 50% blued 1936 colt 1911 is going for now) but IMO you can't just add the price of a Turnbull restoration to the value of the Colt and figure that's what it's worth now. Unless you find a very specific buyer. And for an heirloom, why worry about the value anyway? Are you going to sell your Grandfather's/Father's 1911?
Old Dog
Member
Jim Watson
Member
Numbers I have seen for Turnbull restorations, you would not have that much gain in value.
Show us some pictures and we will discuss options.
Show us some pictures and we will discuss options.
Alex Clayton
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Some "collector" would give you FAR more for it as it is than what you would ever get later. So if you want to maybe sell later? Don't, keep it as is and watch price go up. If you want it as a shooter and for the memories? Then by all means fancy it up a bit. Just remember as it is right now certain people will "just have to have it" and will pay what I would think of as strange amounts of money for it.
Its a Commercial model.. Not many collectors seek those out.
OP
I would refinish if the wear bothered you or is hard to keep up with rust forming as its not a historical gun.
AlexanderA
Member
I personally would have it professionally refinished (not necessarily by Turnbull). But the purely economic decision is not to have it refinished. You're not going to recoup the cost of refinishing by an increase in collector value.
Coyote3855
Member
One of my Dad's two handguns was a Colt Woodsman. He never left the house without it. When it passed to me, it had those fake stag plastic grips. I found the correct originals and put them on. They didn't stay because it wasn't Dad's Colt anymore. Put the plastics back on.
If you are keeping that family heirloom, I'm with those who say leave it alone and appreciate it for the memories.
If you are keeping that family heirloom, I'm with those who say leave it alone and appreciate it for the memories.
Howland937
Member
I gave my son the first gun I ever owned Monday, after Christmas dinner at my folks' house. I'd never brought it to my house in the nearly 30 years since I'd left home. Got it for my 12th birthday and my dad knows how much I treasure it to this day, but he thought it was time for me to pass it along. My dad mentioned a couple of cosmetic flaws that he thought I should fix for my kid.
Me "Well why didn't you fix them for me? It's been in your safe for 35 years"
Him "It wasn't my gun anymore, so if you wanted it fixed you should have"
Kid "I don't mind it just the way it is"
Me "It's yours now, if you want it to look better it's on you"
As long as he doesn't sell it while I'm still alive, I won't disown him for anything he does to HIS gun. Your gun. Treasure it in whatever way you feel is best. The next generation won't see it as your dad's gun, they'll see it as your gun. Do whatever necessary to make sure future generations get to enjoy it as much as you have.
Me "Well why didn't you fix them for me? It's been in your safe for 35 years"
Him "It wasn't my gun anymore, so if you wanted it fixed you should have"
Kid "I don't mind it just the way it is"
Me "It's yours now, if you want it to look better it's on you"
As long as he doesn't sell it while I'm still alive, I won't disown him for anything he does to HIS gun. Your gun. Treasure it in whatever way you feel is best. The next generation won't see it as your dad's gun, they'll see it as your gun. Do whatever necessary to make sure future generations get to enjoy it as much as you have.
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Alex Clayton
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Unless something has changed, which I VERY much doubt this is not how it works. A LOT of "collectors" want commercial models. The older the better. I don't pretend to understand the why and its their money so who cares but, yes there are a lot of them out there who would pay FAR more for that one than what a nice new one will cost. Take a look at places that auction and look what stuff like this sells for and you will see a little bit of what some collectors are willing to pay.
halfmoonclip
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Keep it as is, with honest wear and equally genuine memories.
For what you'd spend on a Turnbull restoration, you can have a brand new, or even minty used, 1911.
I understand; I like pretty guns too.
But a 1911, that's been in the family, that's another matter.
Moon
For what you'd spend on a Turnbull restoration, you can have a brand new, or even minty used, 1911.
I understand; I like pretty guns too.
But a 1911, that's been in the family, that's another matter.
Moon
1976B.L.Johns.
Member
True, but you will not recoup any $.
I got a free quote for a shotgun I have.
$8000.00 To 9000.00 to restore it.
No thanks!
Not on a $2000.00 gun.
Just my opinion....
They do nice work though! (if one can afford it!)
There is a gunsmith by the name Mark Novak that does a process that preserves the gun. Stops and removes any rust that might have formed in the hard to reach spots. And is supposed to prevent any rust from reforming. From my understanding it is not a refinishing process, just preserves the firearm as is. It can still be used and shot. I, personally would leave it as is or look into this type of work.
halfmoonclip
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Really tough to get legal ivory. (For insight of how nuts it has become, a large fortune in poached ivory, intercepted by an African government, was burned, rather than sold. The ivory could have been sold ,with appropriate covering paperwork, to fund elephant habitat and protection.)
You might be able to find old ivory grips, and there are alternatives as well (bone, tusk, horn).
Moon
The grips on the colt are ivory according to my late father. I pulled them off and stuck a hot needle in the back, it didn't leave a mark. My grandfather put them on in late 30s early 40s. They have turned yellowish white. Still not positive, just what i was told. Thanks
halfmoonclip
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Wow, I assumed you were looking for ivory. That's great; real ivory has a warmth, and they age beautifully. Yours are plainly old, but, as noted, the animal rights folks are nuts. Perhaps check on their legality, with someone (unlike me) who actually knows something.
Moon
1KPerDay
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I’ve asked several times about ivory laws and couldn’t get a straight answer. Far as I can tell you can still sell and buy ivory WITHIN YOUR STATE as long as you can prove it’s older than the specified date which I can’t remember. If you already own it and it has provenance it’s still legal to possess. However I’d be really selective who I sent it to for cleaning. You might never get it back. I’d read up and do what I could myself personally.
