Questions about care for a 1917 Colt 1911 & Value

I just wanted to update this to say I'm an idiot and not that it makes much difference, the serial number indicates the firearm is a 1914 not 1917.
 
I would disassemble it, card off any 'red rust' that may exist, clean any gunk out of it, lube the mechanical interfaces, Rub it down with Ballistol... the entire thing including the grips. This, to me, is simply maintaining it. I would not touch the metal surfaces with any abrasives.

I would then enjoy shooting it now and then.

An example of an 1860 Colt Army I recently brought back to life... 1861 manufacture date.
 
RH LONG (?) is the manufacturer and 8-18 is the date. There are fakes out there, but that one looks good.

If you give me the serial number (X-out the last 2 digits and PM it to me if you like) I can tell you what date the contract went out and maybe who it was intended for (USMC, USN, etc.).
1914 is an easier date to check than 1917. A lot less numbers made.
 
**DRB** said:
I would be very careful using the term "clean it". Many many many people have "cleaned" thousands of dollars of value off very collectible firearms by not knowing what they are doing and what is desirable in the "collectors" market.

Most collectors want "authentic". If yours is, it is extremely valuable because of that. What it is NOTis brand new. Many people in an attempt to make a 100 year look new is strip away all of the character and history that a used gun brings and along with that lots of the $$$$ value that an actual authentic piece carries.

Congrats on finding a great piece of history
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice. Congratulations on finding such a desirable piece that you can match to a family member (even if he just purchased the gun ~50-90 years ago). I have been collecting correct USGI rifles and handguns for a number of years, and have way more than my wife is happy about. Here is my two cents on what I would do if I was in your shoes.

1) I would never sell it.

2) I would carefully remove the grips and soak/submerge the entire handgun, assembled or disassembled, in a ziploc bag containing Kroil or Marvel Mystery Oil. This will halt any rust and stop any further degrading of the finish. Let the Kroil/MMO creep in to every nook and cranny of the gun to loosen up all the gunk that has built up over the decades. I would let the gun soak for up to a week, flipping it over once a day.

3) After removing the gun from the ziploc, I would carefully clean it with a soft toothbrush and slightly abrasive, oiled shop cloth. I think you will be amazed at how much better the gun will look. The goal is to remove any exterior surface rust and gunk, but it is essential that the original finish (patina) remains. Do not go to town trying to shine up your 100 year old treasure!!

4) Shooting??? This is where I differ from some of the other members. If your 1911 is all original, I personally would not shoot it. The heat treatment of the steel is lacking as compared to the WWII era 1911A1s, and your gun has not been adequately serviced or lubricated for many decades. The pre-war and WWI era 1911s have a much higher frequency of broken and cracked parts (firing pins, etc…). It is expensive to find and replace original parts of the older models as compared to the WWII models (ask me how I know…).

I know the arguments for shooting it, "guns are meant to shot", "it is just a tool", "these bad boys were built like a tank", "I would never own a gun that I couldn't shoot", etc…., but if it were me, I wouldn't shoot it. But at the end of the day, "your gun, your decision". Depending on how well she cleans up, if the gun is all original, i can see the package being worth $1500-2500.

I hope this is helpful.
 
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Questions about care for a 1917 Colt 1911 & Value

PatMcD said:
RH LONG (?) is the manufacturer and 8-18 is the date. There are fakes out there, but that one looks good.

If you give me the serial number (X-out the last 2 digits and PM it to me if you like) I can tell you what date the contract went out and maybe who it was intended for (USMC, USN, etc.).
1914 is an easier date to check than 1917. A lot less numbers made.
Click to expand...

I can do that. Serial is 8xxxx

Samandglove1, thank you for the advice, I will reply when not on my phone.
 
Last edited:
samandglove1 said:
This is excellent advice. Congratulations on finding such a desirable piece that you can match to a family member (even if he just purchased the gun ~50-90 years ago). I have been collecting correct USGI rifles and handguns for a number of years, and have way more than my wife is happy about. Here is my two cents on what I would do if I was in your shoes.

1) I would never sell it.

2) I would carefully remove the grips and soak/submerge the entire handgun, assembled or disassembled, in a ziploc bag containing Kroil or Marvel Mystery Oil. This will halt any rust and stop any further degrading of the finish. Let the Kroil/MMO creep in to every nook and cranny of the gun to loosen up all the gunk that has built up over the decades. I would let the gun soak for up to a week, flipping it over once a day.

3) After removing the gun from the ziploc, I would carefully clean it with a soft toothbrush and slightly abrasive, oiled shop cloth. I think you will be amazed at how much better the gun will look. The goal is to remove any exterior surface rust and gunk, but it is essential that the original finish (patina) remains. Do not go to town trying to shine up your 100 year old treasure!!

4) Shooting??? This is where I differ from some of the other members. If your 1911 is all original, I personally would not shoot it. The heat treatment of the steel is lacking as compared to the WWII era 1911A1s, and your gun has not been adequately serviced or lubricated for many decades. The pre-war and WWI era 1911s have a much higher frequency of broken and cracked parts (firing pins, etc…). It is expensive to find and replace original parts of the older models as compared to the WWII models (ask me how I know…).

I know the arguments for shooting it, "guns are meant to shot", "it is just a tool", "these bad boys were built like a tank", "I would never own a gun that I couldn't shoot", etc…., but if it were me, I wouldn't shoot it. But at the end of the day, "your gun, your decision". Depending on how well she cleans up, if the gun is all original, i can see the package being worth $1500-2500.

I hope this is helpful.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the detailed reply. Will the Kroil or MMO do any potential harm to the piece as that's the last thing I want to do. Regarding firing it, would you still not recommend that if I have older (50+ years) ammo to go with it?

Thanks.
 
Delkancott said:
Thank you for the detailed reply. Will the Kroil or MMO do any potential harm to the piece as that's the last thing I want to do. Regarding firing it, would you still not recommend that if I have older (50+ years) ammo to go with it?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Kroil or MMO will not hurt the finish of the gun. I personally would not shoot the 1911 with any ammo (btw, I bet the vintage ammo will measure out hotter than today's plinking ammo).

If you are determined to shoot the gun, I would let Greg evaluate it and give you his professional guidance.
 

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