Help me price a Colt

[Hooker771]

My neighbor is getting rid of this gun and wants to sell it to me for what I believe is a good or decent price. Im not going to tell you what the offer is until after I get your unbiased opinions on what it may be worth. The finish is in bad shape and it appears to have been refinished once already. The serial number starts with 236 but there isnt a Govt stamp anywhere on it. Help Please!

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Very Old Colt (I think) by Hooker771, on Flickr

Colt by Hooker771, on Flickr

[Schadenfreude]

It might have been worth something til they plated it

[Westwindmike]

I'd guess about $400. More if it hadn't been refinished and had original grips.

[56FordGuy]

I'm not a 1911 guy, but I wouldn't go more than 300-400 for it like it is. If it hadn't been refinished, then that's a different story. No matter what you do to it now, it will always be a refinished gun, and that's hard on collector value.

[Steelharp]

Made somewhere around 1917. US PROP ground off, not unusual. The plating absolutely ruins the value. Such a pity. It's just a pimp shooter. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, but if I had to make him an offer... I'd offer him $500 tops. I'd probably go $400.

[Kevo]

Do you have the oppurtunity to shoot before you buy? I like it, but as a hardball shooter as is. Also you might want to field strip beforehand and check the slide stop pin, barrel and link for cracks. Actually I'd check the frame and slide also. If you like the grips, the fact that it's a Colt, and don't mind spending time and money to ensure it's a shooter, I say go for it. But I'd consider it to be an affordable old shooter Colt. Not a good investment per se, but I'd be proud to own it. Price?????? After I'd spent all night researching 1911 specific forums for potential problems. And felt confident the remaining nickel plating wasn't all that held the frame or slide together. I'd happily pay $400 for an old abused Pony.

[Jasongar8]

I personally wouldn't buy it. But I would think that at $300 you are giving fair market value. It is just in horrible shape, the grips are awful, and it has had a grinder took to it. What a waste that someone did that to a old Colt. I think if you put $400 or $500 in it, it would be hard to get your money back out of that gun. Again this is just my .02.

[TNWNGR]

$300.00 top's. It just has so much "not right" about it now that the only way I'd be intrested would be for either the family history behind the gun or sentimental reson's.

[TGO David]

Question answered. Thread closed.