Looking for an appraiser.

[Interloper]

I’ve found myself in possession of a army colt 1911.
It’s beautiful, manufactured in 1918. Lots of work done (long ago)
It was clearly a match pistol, trigger, steaked slide etc...
I will never ever sell it but, I would love to put it in a shadow box for display.
My fear is that if it’s on display and someone breaks in...
My insurance agent told me to get an appraisal but I don’t know if it’s worth the risk.
I would appreciate thoughts on that. Also where could I get an honest appraisal.
I’m at the Chester County/Lancaster county line.

[gghbi]

I’ve found myself in possession of a army colt 1911.
It’s beautiful, manufactured in 1918. Lots of work done (long ago)
It was clearly a match pistol, trigger, steaked slide etc...
I will never ever sell it but, I would love to put it in a shadow box for display.
My fear is that if it’s on display and someone breaks in...
My insurance agent told me to get an appraisal but I don’t know if it’s worth the risk.
I would appreciate thoughts on that. Also where could I get an honest appraisal.
I’m at the Chester County/Lancaster county line.

Randy at The Handgunner in Topton is a knowledgeable 1911 guy. Might want to give him a call. He will not be open until Wed at noon, but I don't know his call policy. I have found him to be honest, and experienced. Not real far away either.

[abner13]

Ya could go to one of the 1911 forums (https://forums.1911forum.com/) and post some pics , there's a bunch of collectors and experts who will give ya an honest evaluation, but if it has been built into a 'match pistol' , all collector value is gone , and given that the slides on pistols of that vintage were relatively soft steel and not heat treated , it's not worth much as a shooter either. Those old slides tend to develop cracks and come apart , often with injury. Sadly , it won't be worth much , perhaps $500.

BTW, I wouldn't shoot it unless it was check by a competent gunsmith , and had a fresh set of springs and a shock-buffer installed. Then only minimally.

cracked slide 1.jpg
cracked slide-2.jpg
cracked slide-3.jpg


https://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

[Jhaydeno]

One of our members here is a gunsmith, appraiser, and 1911 specialist. He helped me with a very expensive 1911 heirloom. He's just west of Allentown and one heck of a nice guy:

Les Shaeffer
Shaeffer Precision Gunworks
http://www.sheafferprecisiongunworks.com