Centennial 1911

[montanadave]

Just out of curiosity, if one were interested in purchasing a commemorative 1911 which could pull double duty as a collector's item but also as a top-notch pistol, what would be some recommendations. And let's try to keep the price below $3500, assuming there is such an animal.

I own a Springfield MC Operator but its the only 1911 in the bunch and I'd like to add another.

[Artos]

If I had $3500 to spend on a 1911 and my main focus was a collectable, my search would begin with an all original vintage Colt & close to mint as possible.

Commemoratives are a different animal & can be hit with a little more miss in the collector world.

[willowofwisp]

I would want a series 70 colt worked over by a top gunsmith such as vickers,yam, harrison or burton a no frills fighting pistol..i guess you could laser engrave centenial on it

[Dos Cylindros]

I would buy a new in box Colt 01918 WW1 repro and send it to one of the top smiths like Heirloom Precision, John Harrison, Etc.... and have them do some minor upgrades. I am currently having a 01918 built by Steve Morrison of MARS Armament, but it's not really going to be a retro gun.

[arizonaranchman]

Yeah an original 1911 (made prior to 1927) is a better idea for value. The civilian models I've seen were of very high quality/fit/finish. I carried a ca.1920 vintage one for about a year and it was a great gun. I kept it all original and just changed out the inner parts/springs for reliability reasons in case they were a bit fatigued after 80+ years.