[michigan0626]

My lgs has a 1911 that if anyone here is well off they need to come buy it asap. I would if I had the money. It is a 1911 Colt .45 US Navy model. Is still has the U.S.N. tag on the lanyard loop. He says it was made in the year 1911. I did take down the serial number to verify. He is asking $5500. What is the book value on this pistol?

[BillM]

Depending on serial number (over or under 3,500) and condition,
anywhere from a few hundred to $18,000 or so.

The slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY" on the right side?

[c3shooter]

Some guns are scarce enough that there IS no "book" value, it is whatever someone would pay.

Few years back, was visiting a friend that is the curator of a museum, and got to hold (while wearing gloves) a nice, well worn ball and cap revolver. Robert E. Lee's revolver. Wonder what the "book" value is on that?

[JonM]

i would be hesitant to buy something like that without a real expert checking it out. there are a LOT of faked "rare" 1911s out there. they are often passed off to small gunstores as those places tend to be run by folks that think they are experts in identifying guns.

not saying its not real but lots are fake. for that price mark it warrants getting a true expert opinion.