Observations and questions
JP's post provided some excellent information on the history and value of this pistol, thanks. It seems to me that most 1911A1 pistols that I have seen in really nice condition have been arsenal refinishes and marked accordingly. A friend (non-collector) has a 1943 Ithica that is 99%+ (I can not detect a blemish inside or out) and it is parkerized and marked RIA on the frame. I have been told that this pistol is worth around $500. It seems like a heck of a value cut over a factory finish. I guess that in my experience I have seen a lot of decent arsenal refinished 1911A1's.
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