[bryanbatdorf]

My grandfather recently gave me his fathers Colt 45. I am wondering what the value of this gun is as it is very old and in good condition.

The engravings on the barrel read:

Automatic Colt 45
Rimless, smokeless
1897/ sept 9 1902/ dec 19 1905
3404
Harford, Conn

Thanks for the help.

[gandog56]

Not sure what to say. But as far as I know the Colt Automatic 45 came in 1911.
"
The M1911 is a single-action, semiautomatic handgun chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. It was designed by John Browning, and was the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Its formal designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 for the original Model of 1911 or Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the M1911A1, adopted in 1924. The designation changed to Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 in the Vietnam era. In total, the United States procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols during its service life."
Maybe there were earler prototype guns? I thought the first automatic by Browning was a .32 in 1900.

[Mooseman684]

You have a Colt .45 Automatic pistol Model 1905... The experimental model that grew into being the 1911 !
It uses different parts and Magazines than the 1911 !
Depending on condition and if it was a military contract determines the price, a standard non-military in 98% may bring 5000 dollars or more. You need to have it graded by a reputable expert and I suggest insuring it for 1-1/2 times the value !
Rich

[tbonecpk]

umm yeah dont get rid of it EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! that is a piece of history and yeah I would insure it for like 50 billion times its value.