stone mint 1943 1911A1. post war barrel. how much does it affect $

[razors edge]

I recently purchased this pistol and found it has a post war barrel(colt .45 auto on top of barrel) .all else checks out. How much does it affect price ? Serial #9196XX

[Mike Josephic]

Hate to say this but it looks like a refinished pistol to me. That would also explain the replaced barrel. A 98%
version of a 1943 Colt 1911 A1 (all original) would sell for about $3,300 (one just did on Scott Duff's website
last week). However, given the above mentioned issues you could expect to get about $1,500.

[JimF]

Is there a matching serial number under the fire-pin retainer? --Jim

[razors edge]

Yes slide serial # matches pistol. If it was refinished why are the heat treatment shades still there? From what I've read they are as always gone after refinish.

[JimF]

. . . . . . .From what I've read they are as always gone after refinish.

That is my understanding also. --Jim

[Johnny P]

The heat lines are a result of the metal in that area being harder. Refinishing does nothing to the hardness of the metal.

Maybe just the photographs, but the color is a little light and the lines a little soft.

[Duane Hansen]

I have found quite the opposite to be true. Often when a pistol such as yours in refinished, the front of the slide actually becomes darker or more pronounced. And I believe that is the case here.

[razors edge]

So when a pistol is reparked the heat treatment gets darker and the rest lighter ? How can I tell for certain ? Slide matches. ..lines are as pronounced as my 1913 1911 that is original. I can get a refund if it is refinished

[1563621]

Looks refinished to me also.

[Duane Hansen]

So when a pistol is reparked the heat treatment gets darker and the rest lighter ? How can I tell for certain ? Slide matches. ..lines are as pronounced as my 1913 1911 that is original. I can get a refund if it is refinished

It looks to me that the parkerizing that they did to this pistol was much lighter in color than the original finish was. In this case the refinish accentuated the hardened area on the front of the slide.

I don't know how long you have been collecting or what your experience is but after looking at original examples for some time, it becomes easier to recognize pistols that are just not right.

If you just bought this pistol and paid "Original Example" prices for it, I would certainly try to send it back and get your money back.

[razors edge]

I paid $2.200..will get refund. ..I've been collecting early 1911's for 27 years and this is my first ww2 1911 thanks for all your advice guys....

[Duane Hansen]

At least $1000 more than what it is worth. IMO

[Johnny P]

While this one isn't stone mint, it is in the 99% original range. It gives a good idea of the original color during that time period, as well as illustrating the sharp lines.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2dumgyt.jpg