The Singer 1911... yes, the sewing machine company. (video)
- Thread starter Magnum50
- Start date
Annihilator
Emissary
Very good video, thanks for posting it!
shanneba
Custom
Here is what Grok says about Singer 1911 values-
The value of a Singer 1911 .45 pistol can vary widely depending on its condition, originality, and provenance, but these are among the rarest and most coveted firearms in the collecting world. Only 500 were ever made by the Singer Manufacturing Company in 1940-1941 as part of an educational order for the U.S. military, and their exceptional quality combined with low production numbers drives their worth to extraordinary levels.
In pristine, fully original condition—think unissued, with the high-polish DuLite blue finish intact, matching serial numbers (S800001 to S800500), and no replaced parts—examples have fetched jaw-dropping prices. One of the finest known specimens sold at auction in 2017 for $414,000, and another, the serial number "1" pistol, went for $80,500 in a different sale, though that’s considered a bargain by comparison. More typically, well-preserved Singers with solid documentation trade hands in the $100,000 to $250,000 range at auctions or private sales, reflecting their "Holy Grail" status among 1911 collectors.
If the pistol shows wear, has been refinished, or includes non-original parts (like a replacement barrel or grips), the value drops significantly but still stays impressive. A refinished Singer in good condition might range from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on how much of it remains authentic. Fakes are a real concern, though—serial numbers must fall within that S800001-S800500 range, and details like the "JKC" inspector mark and upside-down "P" on the slide are telltale signs of legitimacy. Collectors sometimes even X-ray slides to check for tampering.
Provenance matters too. A Singer tied to a WWII Army Air Corps crew or with paperwork proving its history can push the price higher. Without knowing the exact condition of your specific pistol, a ballpark estimate for a verified, decently preserved example as of today, February 23, 2025, would likely start around $50,000 and climb from there. For a precise figure, you’d need a professional appraisal—fakes and franken-guns are out there, and the stakes are high with something this rare.
The value of a Singer 1911 .45 pistol can vary widely depending on its condition, originality, and provenance, but these are among the rarest and most coveted firearms in the collecting world. Only 500 were ever made by the Singer Manufacturing Company in 1940-1941 as part of an educational order for the U.S. military, and their exceptional quality combined with low production numbers drives their worth to extraordinary levels.
In pristine, fully original condition—think unissued, with the high-polish DuLite blue finish intact, matching serial numbers (S800001 to S800500), and no replaced parts—examples have fetched jaw-dropping prices. One of the finest known specimens sold at auction in 2017 for $414,000, and another, the serial number "1" pistol, went for $80,500 in a different sale, though that’s considered a bargain by comparison. More typically, well-preserved Singers with solid documentation trade hands in the $100,000 to $250,000 range at auctions or private sales, reflecting their "Holy Grail" status among 1911 collectors.
If the pistol shows wear, has been refinished, or includes non-original parts (like a replacement barrel or grips), the value drops significantly but still stays impressive. A refinished Singer in good condition might range from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on how much of it remains authentic. Fakes are a real concern, though—serial numbers must fall within that S800001-S800500 range, and details like the "JKC" inspector mark and upside-down "P" on the slide are telltale signs of legitimacy. Collectors sometimes even X-ray slides to check for tampering.
Provenance matters too. A Singer tied to a WWII Army Air Corps crew or with paperwork proving its history can push the price higher. Without knowing the exact condition of your specific pistol, a ballpark estimate for a verified, decently preserved example as of today, February 23, 2025, would likely start around $50,000 and climb from there. For a precise figure, you’d need a professional appraisal—fakes and franken-guns are out there, and the stakes are high with something this rare.