How much is my 1911 worth??

I only just found out on Sunday that my Uncle left me a 1911. He has mental health issues & gave it to my dad for me about 15 to 20 years ago when he was diagnosed. My dad forgot all about it till he was cleaning out the attic & found it. I only recently got into guns. It was in a gun case so it was protected. Now I have seen some 1911's but nothing like this one.
Made by Thompson (Manufactures if the famous Tommy Gun)
It is an Air Force addition.
It has white grips with the AF insignia on each side.
One side says:
"They shall mount up on wings like eagles 16 Jan 91 Desert Storm
The other side has gold filigree on it & says:
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Commemorative M1911A1 .45
"TO FLY AND TO FIGHT"
(Then near the Hammer has): 18 SEPT 1947

The Trigger, Slid release, Hammer, Hammer safety, Mag release button (and opposite side), and Grip screws are all gold. (Or gold plated I think)
I also got a gold belt buckle with a 1911 on it & nice filigree all over it.
Limited edition SN# 0007 Issued by the American Historical Foundation
Also a nice looking rope that clips onto the bottom of the 1911.



http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1948.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1945.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1944.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1946.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1945.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1957.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_1947.jpg

I would say priceless if it was me, but then again I was Air Force and served during Desert Storm/Shield.

I'd say about $15, but I'm generous, I'll give you $20 for it.

Seriously, I don't know, but it sure looks sweet. Was your uncle Air Force? If so, it doesn't matter what the dollar value is, it's priceless.

Beautiful piece. If it were mine, I'd never get rid of it unless some tremendous hardship came up that forced me to sell it.

Since it is family - priceless. From what I read, commemoratives are hit or miss (no pun intended) when it comes to value as a collectible. Nice looking pistol though.

Btw, you might try the macro setting on your camera. Your pics give me a headache from being so out of focus. Macro gives you the ability to close in on detail without the blurring that your photos exhibit. Just an FYI.

I don't know anything about the commemorative value of that pistol, but I'll give a bit of information I do know. That gun was made by Auto Ordnace Corp. in West Hurley, NY. If you email INFO@gunpartscorp.com with the serial number, they will be able to tell you the day it was made and who bought it, most likely a gun shop.

You won't hear many positive things about the pistols made in West Hurley. They seemed to have a lot of quality control issues. Auto Ordnance was bought out by Kahr in 1999. The guns were no longer being made in West Hurley and most say that the quality improved a good deal under Kahr.

No he never served. He always wanted to but, medical issues kept him out. I guess I should of asked this but it was late & I wasn't thinking. Does shooting it diminish the value? I defiantly DON'T want to sell it. I LOVE the way it look's & really, really, want to take it out & shoot it. I am going to take it to a few store's & see what they can tell me about it. I don't have a 45 & I would love to get a real nice holster to have that bad boy in it to carry around.

that would make a really nice BBQ gun. hang on to it and cherrish it is what i would say. +1 for Air Force from me.

Yes if you shoot it or put it in a holster, It will greatly deplete the value. You have a very nice weapon that will only increase in value if stored properly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hornady

Yes if you shoot it or put it in a holster, It will greatly deplete the value. You have a very nice weapon that will only increase in value if stored properly.

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This.

If you plan on keeping it a collector item, don't shoot it. You can go out and buy yourself a 1911 reproduction for a couple hundred bucks. Personally, I wouldn't ruin this one. But that's just me.

I'm not sure I could put a price on something passed down like that. I have three guns that belonged to my grandfather, that are worth next to nothing really, but are priceless to me.... I shoot them but none are as sweet looking as that one. They were all his 'hunters' guns

I'll keep them forever

Can't tell you how much it might be worth to a collector.

But here's a reference you might want to read:
http://www.ahffirearms.com/products/AF45AIR.asp

The American Historical Foundation is still in business and still offering the Air Force Commemorative for sale. You'll find it at the site cited above. You'll also find the asking price new is $1995. If you like Commemoratives, look around the site, they have others.

the actual dollar amount that you could expect to receive in the event you wish to sell, would be far less than the near 2k they are currently selling for.
shooting this pistol will not reduce its dollar value.

the auto ordnance 1911s have a unique track record of disassembling themselves during live fire.
since kahr took over, the quality of the pistols has risen, but they still suffer from the previous owners lack of quality assurance.

According to the Blue Book of Gun Values: "The publisher suggests that those people who want more information about American Historical Foundations Commemorative issue firearms contact AHF directly, or visit their website ..." "Additionally, information on most AHF offerings manufactured between 1988 and 1997 can be found in the 20th and earlier editions of the Blue Book of Gun Values."

The closest I got to the service was Air Force ROTC, but I still have a soft spot for the USAF. That's a gorgeous piece. I got to see one just like it that belongs to a dear friend who is a retired AF colonel. Keep it unfired and treasure it as a memento of your uncle.

If you sell that gun the day will come that you will regret it...

Don't shoot it, don't sell it...it's a display piece, and a very nice one-not a shooter.