What is this Colt worth?

bigbob68

How much is this worth? It has wooden presentation box, 23 rnds of 38 Eley 360 # 5 ammo, Glass oil bottle, Disassembly tool and cleaning rod, papers and Ivory grips. Serial Number is 145XX. Shipped to London, England in 1881. I got this in 1975, cleaned it and put it in the safe where it has been ever since. I also have a letter from Colt on their letter head with a little bit of its history when it was shipped to London England. I will be posting this on GB but needed help arriving at a price. I do know that it is not a sheriff or storekeepers model and I have done no mods to it.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2431/colt001hm4.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1807/colt003rj7.jpg
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/566/colt002to7.jpg
Thanks in advance for any and all help.

bigbob68

Anyone with knowledge on this?

Spider7115

Hi, Bob. Nice looking revolver! I think you may have better luck at www.antiqueguns.com in the "pre-1898" forum. There are a lot of well-known Colt specialists in there both from the US and Great Britain. I'm sure they can assist you.

Incidentally, your grips look more like mother of pearl rather than ivory but maybe it's just the light. In any event, good luck and please let us know what you find out!

Old Fool

That revolver is worth a professional appraisal by somone like Jim Supica.

bigbob68

Thank you, Thank You, Thank You!

bigbob68

Thanks for the link Spider. Old Fool, who is Jim Supica?
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9213/morecoltpics009it6.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4595/morecoltpics004va0.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3753/morecoltpics005bk9.jpg

What can I expect to pay for an appraisal. I guess that I am old school thinking that something is worth what someone is willing to pay you for it. I have had houses appraised and when they did not sell for appraised value I would tell the Sellers to ask the Appraiser to buy it. They never would.

perry shooter

Hello very nice pistol . Now for my opinion on value . unless this pistol is an item in dispute regarding PROBATE of a will. I see no need for an appraisal . If you keep the pistol the the pictures can be used to determine current insurance value at the time of loss. if you are selling the pistol then an appraisal will not influence me or most other bidders as we will pay what it is worth to US. IMHO this site is the next best place to get top dollar other then big name auction house and might in fact BE the best place after a big name auction house takes their commission . There are enough people at this site that will bid on this item to establish a TRUE appraisal with their bids . MY suggestion is you start at $.01 and it WILL reach it's value.