Posted: 9/4/2012 8:50:31 PM EDT
Are any of the DW 1911s considered collectible? I've been looking for a collectible 1911, and now I have a dilemma. I've found a NIB 100 year commemorative Colt 1911. It's not the nicest version with gold inlays, it's the less expensive one, but still a special edition and very nice looking. However, I've found a BEAUTIFUL DW 1911 NIB, but it's not a special edition. They're both around the same price. If kept NIB, would the DW ever be considered collectible? I like it better than the Colt, but the Colt, being a 100 year commemorative, would, I think, certainly be collectible. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated! 
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DW makes a fine pistol, but definitely not collectible in the sense that its worth keeping one NIB
DW has been making 1911's for just a few years, but Colt has been around since the stone age–– the likelihood of a Colt going up in value is more than a DW, –––– \but ––- if you scroll down a bit, there is a thread about a gentleman (Blindfaith i think) - who has a NIB unfired Colt Deltaa Elite 10mm (kind if a rare gun )–– The value of it has not skyrocketed ––- i recall being strongly tempted to buy one in 1993 for $800 ––- now they can be had 19 years later for not much more –– and Colt has re-issued them . It is a shame to keep guns like that locked in a safe (well, they are machines –– its totally the owner's business what they do with them) I recounted the story to him of my NIB Python from the 70's that i took great joy in firing the first cylinder of ammo through ––- the former owner didnt appreciate it enough to use it, but i sure did! With rare exception, these guns are not made to be holed up in a safe ––- and unless you are really young, (20ish ) –– you will likely not ever see any real appreciable benefit to leaving one unfired . 50 years from now , that Colt will still be worth something though, –– but i don't think it is going to equal the prices of early Single Action Army's or anything (inflation adjusted) Blindfaith's post about his Delta made me start looking up prices for Pythons of all things as well as Delta Elites –– i probably lost about $500 in value from my Python in shooting it ––- but i likely will never sell it and i probably can't use it for collateral anywhere (pawn shops excepted ) ––- so who cares ––––- I don't. ITs made for shooting and thats what i do with it –– buy your guns for your personal satisfaction, then listen to Dave Ramsey and buy his books to make yourself wealthier –––– if the value of your 1911 goes up a tad, just consider that a bonus |
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OP, if you want to buy a collectible 1911 you should be looking at USGI pistols that are considered collectible today.
It is nice to think that a commemorative Colt built today will be worth a little something decades from now, but that really isn't the case. Quoted:
Guns are never a sure investment..... As an example, the commemorative pistols from the 60s that Colt put out sell for less than regular production pistols of the time. The M1911 reproduction in Carbonia blue (WMK suffix, 01911) has quickly risen in price over the last several years. IIRC retail was less than 1000, and now there are price tags with 1300-1500 for NIB models. At that rate, you might as well save a little bit more and buy a real USGI pistol for 1800-2000. I think it is silly to hold a reproduction in the same light as the real deal. It defeats the purpose of having a reproduction in the first place. |
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Quoted:
DW makes a fine pistol, but definitely not collectible in the sense that its worth keeping one NIB DW has been making 1911's for just a few years, but Colt has been around since the stone age–– the likelihood of a Colt going up in value is more than a DW, –––– <snip> I don't keep anything NIB 
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I completely understand what everyone is saying. For that matter, any type of asset (tangible or intangible) purchased as an investment is speculative (with the possible exception of treasuries, money markets and CDs). However, I'm less interested in appreciation than I am in having a few beautiful guns. If they happen to appreciate, that's icing on the cake. However, surely there are some pistols (ex., prewar and early post war Colt 1911s) that are likely to appreciate. Also, what about the 100th year Colt special editions? Or Ed Browns? Any thoughts? 
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I have serious doubts that the 100-year stamped Colts will ever accrue any sort of premium. Colt has been churning out commemoratives and special editions for years, and they never amounted to much.
There is a bit more upside in things like USGI guns that have an established collector market and a limited supply. Just keep in mind that you make your money when you buy it, not when you sell it. In other words, never overpay. Semi-customs like Brown are a fairly new phenomenon that lacks a multi-decade track record to compare against. However, my gut feeling is that today's hot semi-custom is tomorrow's white elephant, except among a very specialized set of collectors. Look at the Pachmayr guns that were turned out in the 80s –– they were the semi-custom of the day, and today are generally regarded as charmingly outdated. There is a tiny subset of 1911 folks who highly regard the "retro" guns such as the Swenson and Pachmayrs, but most buyers today just aren't interested. Brown and Wilson have both been around for a few years, and even looking at their older guns, you don't see much of a demand for them when they turn up on the secondary market. Certainly not the kind of demand that would turn you a profit. |
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I would stay away from the commemoratives and just buy a nice Colt or DW.
I like the Colt Rail Gun and they haven't been out that long so you are on the right end of the production. DW's are another thing all together. They only put out about 3000 pieces a year and they are very well made. I think because of their simplistic design they are more likely to hold their value. Again there is no saying what future collectors are going to be looking for. Kriss, KelTec or Korth? Just go with quality first, of those three, I would consider two of them worth collecting. |