I was rummaging through some boxes my late father had in the attic and came across four USGI M1911 magazines. Two are all parkerized/phosphated and have an "R" stamped on the toe of the floorplate, while the other two are two-toned WWI-era mags. One of these has a small "A" stamped on the toe, and the other has a "B." I did some Google research and found that the two WWI mags are more desirable than average.
Now, all of these mags have fairly light surface rust in some places. Should I gently clean the rust off or leave them be? I was planning on selling them as I don't have a 1911 (although I was considering buying a USGI model just because I have the mags now ), but I don't want to ruin them cleaning them up in any event.
Are the WWI mags more desirable to collectors? The internet seems to say so and you know everything is true there...
Now, all of these mags have fairly light surface rust in some places. Should I gently clean the rust off or leave them be? I was planning on selling them as I don't have a 1911 (although I was considering buying a USGI model just because I have the mags now ), but I don't want to ruin them cleaning them up in any event.
Are the WWI mags more desirable to collectors? The internet seems to say so and you know everything is true there...