DZLPWR

After reading some gun posts if figured id ask you guys about a gun my brother just found.
While some HVAC guys were working on his heater in his newly purchased house they found a gun behind it wrapped in cloth. Gave it to him and its a 1914 colt government 1911 .45. It has surface rust on one side and it looks worn on those notches on the slide just above the trigger.
I would think this gun is worth quite a bit if restored. Should he send it to Colt to be restored? Ive heard that we should tell Colt that if they have to replace the frame, not to do it in order to keep origonal serial numbers. How much would a restoration range in cost? I dont think it would take to much to get it looking good again. Thanks -Jake

westcoaster

It may be of more value in origional un-restored condition than restored... Be very careful how you proceed. Have it appraised before doing anything.

Lary Ellis (Top)

Agreed, proceed with caution and only fix what must be fixed for collectible value. I do restoration on many old firearms, send me some pics i will give you an idea.

DZLPWR

Okay, ill see if i can get some pics of it this weekend. Thanks for the input guys!

Palmetto_kid

Wow...

The first thought that comes to my mind is how in the world could someone leave a gun like that behind? I know some people have thier limitations, but who leaves thier valuables like that wrapped in a cloth and just laying around? Man I would have that gun wrapped up, cleaned up, and locked up if it had been mine.

Could it have been ditched by some shady movers???? I watch too much CSI......

THat was very honest of the HVAC guys to give it to you. Shows you have some great guys working for you. In the sprit of honesty, would you consider calling up the previous homeowner, and offering them a chance to claim "an item" they could have left behind? I mean hey, the HVAC guys were nice enough to do it for you.

But then again,,,,this gun could have history, and you could bring more trouble that way. So you could just sit on it..........

my dad tells me I think too much....lol

AlpineRAM

I dunno if this is applicable in the US, but over here I'd run the serial number with a law enforcement agency- This is to be shure that the gun isn't being looked for as being used in a crime. Also to make your ownership of the gun uncontestable. As said that would be the way to do it in Austria, I'm shure there are people on this board who will know the applicable regulation in your neck of the woods.
I second the notion to keep the gun as is as much as possible, or at least to restore it caringly without just replacing the whole stuff with new parts.

Just my 2c

AlpineRAM

MikeyB

Does the pistol have U.S. government markings? Wondering if could have been a war trophy.

MikeyB

wannadiesel

I would hang onto that gun. Your brother now has a gun that no government agency has on file. That should be worth a heck of a lot more to him than what the gun would bring if he sold it.

DZLPWR

Well, i could run the numbers, but what if they did find that something happened in 1971 that "could" have been related to the gun? Then they will take it, and either some guy at the station just got a nice gun, or they might destroy it..It is now in safe hands as a collectable and i realy take value in older guns and such. An older couple lived in the house before my brother and before that im not sure, but if they forgot about it and left it behind, it obviously didnt mean much to them.
Registering your weapon is your choice in the US. I personaly dont because what happens when the govt decides to ban all arms? All they have to do then is look down the list of registered weapons and have at it.
I know what i have, and i think it is a very special gun, not realy in value, but in my mind it is realy meaningful to have a piece of history.
The gun says goverenment, or govt issue, i cant remember (its not here with me). Ill try to get yall some pics so you can see it. Remeber, all of the above is personal opinion...Thanks guys -Jake

DZLPWR

And yes, Palmetto_kid, you do think too much

longdude

If you do take pictures of it to post on the internet PLEASE cover up the serial numbers for your own privacy and safety. There are some bad actors out there who could cause you some greif.

DZLPWR

You know longdude, i was thinking that same exact thing about 5mins before reading this, smart idea Thanks for lookin out!

PeteRR

All you need to divulge are the first couple of digits so we can figure out what batch it's from.

Edit: How old was the furnace? That should give you an idea of how long the pistol's been there.

USMC64-70

Any unsolved murders or robberies in your town?

Seems very strange to find a pistol in that location.

From you description, sounds like it was there for awhile.

DZLPWR

I know the house is about twenty years old, so i guess not very long for that old of a gun.
PeteRR, how many of the first digits do i need?
Theres a million different reasons why it could have been back there, maby trying to hide it from the kids, wife , who knows.