Colt 1851 .36 Navy

pohill · March 11, 2009, 10:26 AM

I just got this yesterday in Maine. It's an original, 4th Model, made in 1861. All matching numbers (even the wedge) except the loading lever. It was reblued some time ago which diminished its selling value, but the blue protected the gun. I see no pitting or rust at all (the cylinder scene is gone).
Here's the question that I also posted on Voy - should I strip the blue and return it to a more natural finish? Keep in mind that I didn't pay much for this gun so the resale value doesn't mean much to me. I paid under $600.

olmontanaboy · March 11, 2009, 10:36 AM

That's a beauty, I'd think it looks great the way it is.

mykeal · March 11, 2009, 10:45 AM

While I like the way the gun looks as is, since it's an original Colt it should, in my opinion, be restored to it's original finish.

Just my opinion.

Beautiful gun, congratulations on your acquisition.

Ginormous · March 11, 2009, 11:16 AM

Looks great the way it is to me. The rebluing was part of the history of the gun anyway. Surely not every original Colt was left in a leaky attic, only to be found rusted 140 years later?

Each gun has it's on story, and that's part of this one's.

BTW, what's the white stuff on the ground behind the revolver?

pohill · March 11, 2009, 11:29 AM

I kinda agree with Mykeal on the finish. I don't know how old that re-blue is, and while I'm glad it was done (it saved the metal) it reminds me of an old guy who dyes his hair black (ooops, did I step on any toes? hehe). Then again, if it is a very old re-blue job, it's part of the gun's history.
I'll hem and haw and probably end up leaving it alone.
About that white stuff on the ground...it's been a long winter. What happened to global warming?

Fingers McGee · March 11, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote: Ginormous

Quote:

Looks great the way it is to me. The rebluing was part of the history of the gun anyway. Surely not every original Colt was left in a leaky attic, only to be found rusted 140 years later?

Each gun has it's on story, and that's part of this one's.

+1 Add my vote to the leave it as is column.

kirpi97 · March 11, 2009, 12:08 PM

Upon looking at your find, my vote would be to leave in it's original condition. I have seen worse for wear revolvers. But that one is sweet for its age.

pohill · March 11, 2009, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the input everyone.
I just stripped it all down - only two screws needed some heat. The nipples came out easily. The loading lever does have the same serial number as the wedge, cylinder, barrel, frame, grips, etc. I'm going to clean it and try swapping parts with my Pietta, which, by the way, looks almost identical (it is a little heavier than the original).

Doc Hoy · March 11, 2009, 03:26 PM

Guys,

Because I am still a little dumb about values, I just gotta ask.

$600.00 is an outstanding price for this revolver is it not?

pohill · March 11, 2009, 04:02 PM

If you can find an original Colt 1851 .36 Navy with matching serial numbers, in really good shape, for $575, grab it, or let me know about it. Some things I just can't pass up.
Then again, some people aren't into antique guns - they want shooters, and that's fine, too.
I got this original Whitney at the same store last year for $350, which is the best deal ever for me.

shoebox1.1 · March 11, 2009, 06:25 PM

are you stripping the blue off or keeping it? i vote for keep the blue. looks great and its part of the story

pohill · March 11, 2009, 06:50 PM

I just stripped it down and cleaned it completely, and now the blue looks much better. In fact, the barrel has a slight plumb brown look to it, which is good. I should just leave it.

kirpi97 · March 11, 2009, 07:20 PM

Here we go again.

Po, me thinks you will do what you wants in spite of our thoughts and wishes. But you are humoring us, right????

pohill · March 11, 2009, 08:30 PM

Collective wisdom should not be ignored.
Wow, that's deep...I gotta write that down.
Wait, I just did.
I will most likely leave the blue because I don't have the energy to kick my own arse if I screw it up.

Ginormous · March 11, 2009, 08:39 PM

You got two of 'em in there that are keepers.

Quote:

I will most likely leave the blue because I don't have the energy to kick my own arse if I screw it up.

Man, if only I could remember this one. This is so true.

--
Ginormous

Don P · March 26, 2009, 11:38 AM

Its called beautiful patina. Leave them as they are. Just think of the years it took to look as they do and only if they could talk what stories would they tell?

pohill · March 26, 2009, 11:51 AM

I actually fired that 1851 .36 yesterday. #11 caps were too small - I pushed them on with a dowel and they split. .380 roundballs were a little too small - they didn't shave a ring. But it worked perfectly. I stripped it and cleaned it again and the finish is getting more towards plumb brown now, so I'll definitely leave it alone.

sundance44s · March 26, 2009, 12:24 PM

Dave looks like you bought to originals in great shape for the price of good Italian copys ...All I can say is I`m Jealous ....I wouldn`t care if the finish was spray paint blue .........The main thing is I don`t see rust on eaither .

March 11, 2009, 10:36 AM	#2
olmontanaboy Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Location: Northeast for now Posts: 266	That's a beauty, I'd think it looks great the way it is. __________________ Olmontanaboy No good deed goes unpunished. A loaded gun, a faithful dog,,, consider yourself lucky.

March 11, 2009, 12:08 PM	#7
kirpi97 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 236	Upon looking at your find, my vote would be to leave in it's original condition. I have seen worse for wear revolvers. But that one is sweet for its age. __________________ The parting shot... "Those who hammer their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not." Thomas Jefferson

March 11, 2009, 03:26 PM	#9
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Becasue I am new at this.... Guys, Because I am still a little dumb about values, I just gotta ask. $600.00 is an outstanding price for this revolver is it not? __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 11, 2009, 07:20 PM	#13
kirpi97 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 236	Here we go again. Po, me thinks you will do what you wants in spite of our thoughts and wishes. But you are humoring us, right???? __________________ The parting shot... "Those who hammer their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not." Thomas Jefferson

March 26, 2009, 11:38 AM	#16
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Its called beautiful patina. Leave them as they are. Just think of the years it took to look as they do and only if they could talk what stories would they tell? __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 11, 2009, 10:26 AM	#1
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	Colt 1851 .36 Navy I just got this yesterday in Maine. It's an original, 4th Model, made in 1861. All matching numbers (even the wedge) except the loading lever. It was reblued some time ago which diminished its selling value, but the blue protected the gun. I see no pitting or rust at all (the cylinder scene is gone). Here's the question that I also posted on Voy - should I strip the blue and return it to a more natural finish? Keep in mind that I didn't pay much for this gun so the resale value doesn't mean much to me. I paid under $600. Last edited by pohill; March 11, 2009 at 10:41 AM.

March 11, 2009, 10:45 AM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	While I like the way the gun looks as is, since it's an original Colt it should, in my opinion, be restored to it's original finish. Just my opinion. Beautiful gun, congratulations on your acquisition.

March 11, 2009, 11:16 AM	#4
Ginormous Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: Kennesaw, Ga Posts: 11	Looks great the way it is to me. The rebluing was part of the history of the gun anyway. Surely not every original Colt was left in a leaky attic, only to be found rusted 140 years later? Each gun has it's on story, and that's part of this one's. BTW, what's the white stuff on the ground behind the revolver?

March 11, 2009, 11:29 AM	#5
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	I kinda agree with Mykeal on the finish. I don't know how old that re-blue is, and while I'm glad it was done (it saved the metal) it reminds me of an old guy who dyes his hair black (ooops, did I step on any toes? hehe). Then again, if it is a very old re-blue job, it's part of the gun's history. I'll hem and haw and probably end up leaving it alone. About that white stuff on the ground...it's been a long winter. What happened to global warming?

March 11, 2009, 12:14 PM	#8
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	Thanks for the input everyone. I just stripped it all down - only two screws needed some heat. The nipples came out easily. The loading lever does have the same serial number as the wedge, cylinder, barrel, frame, grips, etc. I'm going to clean it and try swapping parts with my Pietta, which, by the way, looks almost identical (it is a little heavier than the original).

March 11, 2009, 04:02 PM	#10
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	If you can find an original Colt 1851 .36 Navy with matching serial numbers, in really good shape, for $575, grab it, or let me know about it. Some things I just can't pass up. Then again, some people aren't into antique guns - they want shooters, and that's fine, too. I got this original Whitney at the same store last year for $350, which is the best deal ever for me.

March 11, 2009, 06:25 PM	#11
shoebox1.1 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Location: mckinney tx Posts: 122	are you stripping the blue off or keeping it? i vote for keep the blue. looks great and its part of the story

March 11, 2009, 06:50 PM	#12
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	I just stripped it down and cleaned it completely, and now the blue looks much better. In fact, the barrel has a slight plumb brown look to it, which is good. I should just leave it.

March 11, 2009, 08:30 PM	#14
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	Collective wisdom should not be ignored. Wow, that's deep...I gotta write that down. Wait, I just did. I will most likely leave the blue because I don't have the energy to kick my own arse if I screw it up.

March 26, 2009, 11:51 AM	#17
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	I actually fired that 1851 .36 yesterday. #11 caps were too small - I pushed them on with a dowel and they split. .380 roundballs were a little too small - they didn't shave a ring. But it worked perfectly. I stripped it and cleaned it again and the finish is getting more towards plumb brown now, so I'll definitely leave it alone.

March 26, 2009, 12:24 PM	#18
sundance44s Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2006 Location: Hernando , Ms. Posts: 579	Dave looks like you bought to originals in great shape for the price of good Italian copys ...All I can say is I`m Jealous ....I wouldn`t care if the finish was spray paint blue .........The main thing is I don`t see rust on eaither .