Collectors, colt vs. luger conditions...

[Wombat]

OKay, maybe it's just me on this subject. I love both Lugers and Colt 1911 WW2 style guns. Anything pre 1946, till around the WW1 era. But, I have noticed a major difference in the two guns, as far as collectors' markets go:


Lugers are generally in very well condition, even for shooters! They have nice finishes, metal, wood, and fire like a charm. They seem to stand up to the test of time, considering they were made roughly 80 (give or take) years ago.


Now, the Colt 1911 Govt. style pistols from the same time era seem to be different. Every time I've seen one in a Gun Shop for sale, they are in extremely poor condition. Major pitting, bad grips, and generally look like a total mess (externally). And the price tag is also quite high. While on the other hand, Lugers seem to look great, and hold up much nicer. What reasons are there for this?


Now, I am by no means a Colt 1911 govt expert, nor do I know a lot about them. It could just be me noticing this, or something else? If anyone knows why this could be (manufacturing, treatment, lack of supply?), please enlighten me.


But for now, I am sticking with Lugers. I am more into the European theatre guns more anyways...


---Wombat