A Nurse with a Gun

Friday, June 27, 2008

The $40 M1911A1

Click to enlarge
I knew I had this Shotgun News advertisement somewhere.

Yes, they used to sell as surplus for under fifty bucks each. Now they start at $500 for extreme beaters, and go solidly over $2000 for excellent examples.

Click to enlarge

Here's a Colt M1911A1
up for auction on Gun Broker.

Started at $1,660.00

Buy it Now for $1,895.00

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9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What year was that ad? (need to set the controls on the wayback machine...)

8:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, I can remember when you could go to W.T. Grant variety stores and buy artillary Lugers for 90 bucks!

10:13 AM  
Blogger Xavier said...

I'm guessing around 1975 Rick.

3:02 PM  
Blogger Kevin said...

If I send you some hi-res digital photos of a 1917-built original Colt 1911 (NOT an A1), could you give me a ballpark estimate of its worth? Candlestick rather than Yellowstone?

8:15 PM  
Blogger Xavier said...

Kevin,
I'm far from an expert, but I will be happy to try.

Take some well lit and clear photos, both sides, and one of the magazine itself.

Be aware that prices vary widely depending on who is in the room wanting the gun. Often Gun Broker or Auction Arms can give you a decent guesstimate.

9:13 PM  
Blogger SpeakerTweaker said...

Wow. $40. I'd be good for about a dozen, myself.

My Father-in-law is retired USAF, around age 70. When we talk guns, he usually tells me when there were surplus 1911's by the crateload being unloaded on base. Then he makes me physically ill when he says the Supply SGT. usually had some difficultly "getting rid" of them for $5.

If I could turn back time, I'da sent him in with enough to buy at least one full crate (if not two). And don't even get me started on the Carbines. It's just sickening.



tweaker

9:54 PM  
Blogger Tam said...

I never thought I'd see the day of the $1,000 GI M1 carbine...

4:10 PM  
Blogger JPG said...

Rick and Zave' - -

I'd have to put the era of that ad at about 1959. I SEEM to recall seeing it in the American Rifleman while I was still in high school, but certainly well before I turned 21 (1964.) Another tipoff is the , " . . . a $74.50 value." By the time I was 21, the retail price had crept up somewhere above $100.

Also, around 1972, I sold an ANIB (unfired) Commercial Government Model for $115, and this was considerably below retail.

Not arguing, Sir - - Just an old curmudgeon providing some personal recollection. ;)

JPG

6:07 PM  
Blogger Xavier said...

Thanks JP. I hold your memory to be more accurate than my own.

5:22 AM  

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