essex stainless steel 1911

Raymond759 · 05-07-2012, 08:34 AM

Hello all:

I'm fishing for a few bits of information about the following pistol.

The s/n is low, SS19XX, but Essex is moving to Florida, and the people in Florida are not able to give me a production year. Any thoughts about that?

There's a low round count, I purchased this from someone who had the gun built from his father's (deceased) frame and slide. It has a full length guide rod, and there's no firing pin safety. It is the tightest 1911 I've ever seen, coupled with what must be a higher strength recoil and mainspring. It passes all safety checks, very little evidence of use on the small parts, barrel, and frame. I'd give it a 95% or so.

I am torn by 2 thoughts about this pistol.

1) flip it for a profit (paid $300)

2) improve it and use it (I don't have any other stainless 1911's)

What would you guess it is realistically worth?

Thank you for your thoughts about this.

Ray

Brian D. · 05-09-2012, 10:51 AM

Raymond, the Essex brand has such a sketchy reputation it would be hard to get much profit out of the gun. I'd say you should keep it long enough to see if it runs right, if so only then consider the additional upgrades you want. (No sense springing for low mount adjustable sights for example if the gun has constant feed or ejection issues.)

But if the gun doesn't run good you might want to sell it and be done. Personally I've ended up losing dough a couple of times this way because full disclosure wasn't made when I bought a gun, then when selling it I was honest with the next guy. Some people completely ascribe to the Caveat Emptor' way of doing business, however that's not me.

As it sits that Essex is worth not much more than you paid for it--can't imagine anybody giving a penny over $400, likely less in my opinion, at least locally. Keep in mind we're both here in Ohio and values are bit lower than say the east or west coast.

Raymond759 · 05-10-2012, 10:03 AM

I trusted my instincts and sold the pistol for $375. The buyer has other 1911's and wanted this as a project piece. Not a bad investment, 25% in less than a week!

Thank you for your opinion.

Ray

05-07-2012, 08:34 AM	#1
Raymond759 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 144	Questions about a stainless Essex Hello all: I'm fishing for a few bits of information about the following pistol. The s/n is low, SS19XX, but Essex is moving to Florida, and the people in Florida are not able to give me a production year. Any thoughts about that? There's a low round count, I purchased this from someone who had the gun built from his father's (deceased) frame and slide. It has a full length guide rod, and there's no firing pin safety. It is the tightest 1911 I've ever seen, coupled with what must be a higher strength recoil and mainspring. It passes all safety checks, very little evidence of use on the small parts, barrel, and frame. I'd give it a 95% or so. I am torn by 2 thoughts about this pistol. 1) flip it for a profit (paid $300) 2) improve it and use it (I don't have any other stainless 1911's) What would you guess it is realistically worth? Thank you for your thoughts about this. Ray Last edited by Raymond759; 05-07-2012 at 08:38 AM. Reason: add information

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05-09-2012, 10:51 AM	#2
Brian D. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 439	Raymond, the Essex brand has such a sketchy reputation it would be hard to get much profit out of the gun. I'd say you should keep it long enough to see if it runs right, if so only then consider the additional upgrades you want. (No sense springing for low mount adjustable sights for example if the gun has constant feed or ejection issues.) But if the gun doesn't run good you might want to sell it and be done. Personally I've ended up losing dough a couple of times this way because full disclosure wasn't made when I bought a gun, then when selling it I was honest with the next guy. Some people completely ascribe to the Caveat Emptor' way of doing business, however that's not me. As it sits that Essex is worth not much more than you paid for it--can't imagine anybody giving a penny over $400, likely less in my opinion, at least locally. Keep in mind we're both here in Ohio and values are bit lower than say the east or west coast.

05-10-2012, 10:03 AM	#3
Raymond759 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 144	I trusted my instincts and sold the pistol for $375. The buyer has other 1911's and wanted this as a project piece. Not a bad investment, 25% in less than a week! Thank you for your opinion. Ray