Spats McGee
Administrator
My condolences on the loss of your grandmother, but congratulations on an awesome find. That's a gorgeous gun.
What provenance? There has been no mention (that I saw) of any documentation. They have a pistol, a holster, and some magazines. Yes, they know the history of the pistol but, without documentation, the oral history adds nothing to the value of an antique. Doesn't matter if it's a gun, a painting, or a piece of sculpture.Bentonville said:Twenty years ago I paid 850 for a decent Remington Rand and it had no provenance as yours does
The practice has a particular value in helping authenticate objects. Comparative techniques, expert opinions and the results of scientific tests may also be used to these ends, but establishing provenance is essentially a matter of documentation.
I quite agree that family lore attached to the pistol gives it incalculable sentimental value. However, you used the term "provenance," and as commonly applied to firearms (and 1911s), "provenance" generally refers to paper documentation, such as being accompanied by original shipping papers, or perhaps an official government bill of sale for when great grandfather purchased his issue M1911A1 from the Army at the end of the war, or maybe from the DCM (Department of Civilian Marksmanship, the predecessor of today's CMP).Bentonville said:From original post there was no mention of paper documentation. However, as the family knows who carried the pistol , that’s important in my mind . I have a piece of furniture that’s been in the family for 150 years, made by a relative . I value the piece. I have no written history but oral history is important to me, personally , even without a written document . I wish I had a 1911A1 carried by a relative in military service . Thanks to the OP for sharing.
Adding the fact that "bringbacks" didn't see any part swaps ..