WWI 1911 rear sight and rebluing

[dcrosby5]

Here goes my first post...

I have just purchased a WWI Colt 1911, stamped 'Property of US Army'. Based on the serial number, it was manufactured in 1917. It appears to be all original (including the two-tone mag.), with the exception of the rear sight. The blue (or was it parkerized?) has completely worn off, nothing but white metal showing. I paid $550 at a local shop.

How do I get my hands on an original small aperature GI sight, with the curve on the bottom of the sight window, that would be correct for this vintage?

What means of refinishing would be recommended, on the basis of maintaining it's vintage and maximizing its resale? Does Colt offer this service, if so, how exorbitant is the cost?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[10X]

Refinishing would ruin the collector value. You bought it a a good price.

If you just want to darken the sight you can use cold blue and not steel wool it. Just dab it on the sight with a small piece of paper towel, let it sit for a minute then wipe it off with a paper towel and put oil on it.

 

[rondog]

By all means, resist the urge to refinish it! It's much more valuable just like it is! We'd love to see some photos, and I recommend you join these sites before you do ANYTHING to that Colt. It really shouldn't even be fired, unless you use mild handloads. 1911's of that vintage were made of steel that isn't as strong as modern steels, and it's very possible that shooting it could crack the slide or frame. You might be able to shoot it for years, but one round too many and it's a paperweight.

http://www.m1911.org
http://forums.1911forum.com/
http://www.1911auto.org/forum/
http://1911talk.com/forum/

 

[rmfnla]

Good advice here!

There are so many 1911s available there's no reason to shoot such a collector's item and certainly no reason to refinish (& ruin!) it.

 

[dcrosby5]

Thanks for the advice.

I have a few other colts, so I don't intend on shooting it. Just wanted to buy my first collectors piece.

If I wasn't clear, the whole gun is white metal, no finish left anywhere, except a couple inside corners. If refinishing (factory refinishing included) would only hurt the value, then I will leave it alone.

Still would like to find the correct rear sight from its original issue.

 

[Oro]

Refinishing would ruin the collector value.

Any true "collector value" was ruined when it was neglected enough to loose all of it's original finish and original part(s) were removed and lost. There's a difference between "collectible" and "old."

$550 is probably about fair value for a gun in that shape. OTOH, I've seen professionally reblued ones go for $800 or so. Best situation is that rebluing will, in this case, not make a difference to value and also leave you with a firearm you can shoot occasionally and enjoy the aesthetics of it. Whether this is practical in this case is going to depend upon the condition of the steel surface.

Now, the rear sight you want is referred to as a "U-notch" rear sight. Bill Ricca occasionally has some, though often in poor condition. Colt has them now for their WWI reproductions; you might call them and see if they offer it as a separate part - they do with most parts and I know they sell some of their WWI repro parts individually.

 

[rondog]

Still would like to find the correct rear sight from its original issue.

Go to the forums I listed above, there's guys there deal in parts just like that. You'd be amazed what you can find out there.

Any true "collector value" was ruined when it was neglected enough to loose all of it's original finish and original part(s) were removed and lost. There's a difference between "collectible" and "old."

$550 is probably about fair value for a gun in that shape. OTOH, I've seen professionally reblued ones go for $800 or so. Best situation is that rebluing will, in this case, not make a difference to value and also leave you with a firearm you can shoot occasionally and enjoy the aesthetics of it. Whether this is practical in this case is going to depend upon the condition of the steel surface.

Sorry, but poor advice IMO, especially with NO photos of this gun whatsoever. How can you recommend refinishing it without knowing anything about it's real condition? It could be worth three times that just as it sits. You find me a 1917 Colt as he described it for $550, I'll buy 'em all day long.

 

[KodiakBeer]

What Rondog said...

$550 is too good a price. I'd check out this link: http://coolgunsite.com/pistols/1911infopage.htm

You can go into each part of the pistol to compare markings, etc.

There's a lot of original frame/slides out there with WWII replacement barrels, grips, parts, etc. $550 would be a good price for even one of those in good condition - but if it is indeed all original, then you should slow right down and think about things.

 

[DeepSouth]

I want to see the pics.

And I agree with rondog, I would visit http://www.m1911.org/

 

[Oro]

Sorry, but poor advice IMO, especially with NO photos of this gun whatsoever. How can you recommend refinishing it without knowing anything about it's real condition? It could be worth three times that just as it sits. You find me a 1917 Colt as he described it for $550, I'll buy 'em all day long.

Actually, it's much more sound advice than others. It says "probably" and states this will depend upon condition and other parts. Offering absolutes without examining a gun is simply not wise.

If you shop on the auction sites, WWI era guns are common in that price range when missing parts and with no finish, and at gun shows, too. Just look around for them. An older military 1911 in 0% condition doesn't fetch a $1k. Here's another topical opinion in the forum on a similar gun:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=525354