1860 colt army.

dane62

looking for a little info on an old colt 1860 army, civilian model.serial #95563.a couple of things on the gun are different than on others i have seen.first it is nickel plated,second is the letter"s" stamped on cylinder above the serial number.the gun is percussion, it has not been converted.has anyone seen a "s" marked gun? i just listed it on auction side.#271013492. take a look and please tell me what you think of gun.

JohnnyBGood

I don't know about the "S" marking, but the nickel plating is probably a refinish. Your revolver was made in 1863, and Colt did not offer nickel until (approximately) 1869.

Johnny

dane62

thanks,i forgot to mention the trigger guard and backstrap are also nickeled over the brass, i figured it probably was done later.it is a real sharp looking gun. the numbers all match,cylinder engraving is nice.nickel is flaking a little on left side of barrel and in one spot on cylinder, probably layed in a case and got damp. the bore looks hardly used and the mechanics are crisp. seeing as how i have described it, i might as well say. i'm going to list it on the auction side.

Spider7115

It's easier if you post the link: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=271013492

It's possible it was a special order for an officer but you really need to get a Colt factory letter to determine that. Otherwise, it's going to be wide open for scrutiny and, for that price, you're going to own it for a long time.

Here's the link for a Colt letter: http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/ArchiveServices.aspx

dane62

ya,i am probably just fishing with a bare hook with that price, but i am trying to figure out, what is it worth?

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by dane62
ya,i am probably just fishing with a bare hook with that price, but i am trying to figure out, what is it worth?


As Spider noted a Colt factory letter would be a first step in setting a realistic price. If the nickel letters as being factory, you would be in high cotton. If not, it's just a refinished Colt percussion in VG condition. It would be valued accordingly.

Being that it appears to be in VG condition. Without have been buffed prior to plating, it might be a candidate for professional restoration. This would increase it's auction value, over and above it's value as a refinished commercial 1860 Army.

dane62

thanks for the info. what is a fair value on this gun?

Spider7115

quote:Originally posted by dane62
thanks for the info. what is a fair value on this gun?

It's got nice markings and cartouches and is definitely Civil War issue. Without Colt documentation of factory plating, probably in the $2,300-$2,800 range. However, depending on the Colt letter, you could have a real prize so it's worth investing in it.

dane62

thanks for the help

Spider7115

quote:Originally posted by dane62
thanks for the help

If it letters as factory plating, please come back and update us. Good luck!

dane62

it would be nice to get a letter. i don't hink colt will do an info sheet like cody musuem does for winchesters. looks like $300 for a letter. is it likely colt nickeled over the brass trigger guard?

Spider7115

quote:Originally posted by dane62
it would be nice to get a letter. i don't hink colt will do an info sheet like cody musuem does for winchesters. looks like $300 for a letter. is it likely colt nickeled over the brass trigger guard?

The trigger guard would be brass but the backstrap is steel.

A factory letter would be similar to this:



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