1851 Colt Navy 36. Cal. Revolver.Estimated value?

shrthrcrzy · September 17, 2009, 12:41 PM

I rescently saved what I believe to be an 1851 Colt Navy revolver in my opinion appears to be very good condition from being put in the dumpster. It still functions, and you can read all of the numbers patent marks and scenes on the cylinder. Anyone know how much something like this is worth? I have not a clue, but I figured it deserved better than to be dumped in the trash. Funny what old ladies think is garbage and whats not.

2damnold4this · September 17, 2009, 02:13 PM

Is it a replica?

shrthrcrzy · September 17, 2009, 02:30 PM

No its an original authentic colt.

2damnold4this · September 17, 2009, 02:48 PM

You should get it professionally appraised.

simonkenton · September 17, 2009, 03:51 PM

How do you know it is not a replica?

koolminx · September 17, 2009, 04:15 PM

Worth??

I'll give ya $40 bucks for it! On the streets of NJ and NY you can get a 1911 for $20 bucks if the guy needs crack bad enough....

What do ya say?

James K · September 17, 2009, 04:35 PM

In fair condition, with some of the original finish, a regular Colt 1851 will bring about $900-1500. The better the condition, the higher the value.

Jim

shrthrcrzy · September 17, 2009, 04:48 PM

Well, because I collect SXS shotguns, like parkers, purdeys, fox's, and l.c smith's so I know a replica and an original when I see it. I didn't fall of the turnup trucK yesterday lol. Might have some PTSD, but familiar enough with antiques to know an original. -Thanks Jim just wanted to know if its worth paying someone to appraise it.

James K · September 17, 2009, 04:56 PM

Probably not. Unless it is some rare piece, either in itself or by association (e.g., R.E. Lee's own revolver), its value will be in about the range I mentioned. The only "trick" is to estimate the amount of orginal finish remaining, the usual criterion for determining value assuming the gun is functional and not missing parts.

There are literally dozens of books giving antique gun values (and they don't agree) as well as books on that gun alone and on Colts in general. The figures I gave are lowball; I don't like to give a high value sight unseen because people will be disappointed.

Jim

shrthrcrzy · September 17, 2009, 06:04 PM

No I understand, and I appreciate it. I am going to take it to a reputable collectore and get his opinion as soon as I get a day off. Thanks.-B

Tamara · September 18, 2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrthrcrzy

Well, because I collect SXS shotguns, like parkers, purdeys, fox's, and l.c smith's so I know a replica and an original when I see it. I didn't fall of the turnup trucK yesterday lol. Might have some PTSD, but familiar enough with antiques to know an original.

Since you are a serious collector of old side-by-sides, you know about forgeries, so be aware that black-powder Colts are some of the most widely forged guns on the planet. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get one looked at by a specialist.

For example, a lot of G.I.'s brought back Belgian copies from Europe after WWI and WWII, and some of them were quite good enough to fool the casual collector, and they're already old...

Gun collecting is a big hobby, and nobody can know everything; I always kept a file card of folks to call for specialty stuff: I had my Luger guy, my L.C. Smith guy, my cap'n'ball Colt guy (who was a different guy from my Single Action Army guy)... Any time a gun's value was straying into four figures, it was worth it to me to get some expert eyeballs on it.

simonkenton · September 18, 2009, 08:24 AM

Let us know how your inquiry goes.
The reason I asked my question is not because I doubted your mental capacity, but because I have heard of so many high-quality forgeries of the old Civil War Colts.

September 17, 2009, 12:41 PM	#1
shrthrcrzy Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 12	1851 Colt Navy 36. Cal. Revolver.Estimated value? I rescently saved what I believe to be an 1851 Colt Navy revolver in my opinion appears to be very good condition from being put in the dumpster. It still functions, and you can read all of the numbers patent marks and scenes on the cylinder. Anyone know how much something like this is worth? I have not a clue, but I figured it deserved better than to be dumped in the trash. Funny what old ladies think is garbage and whats not.

September 17, 2009, 02:13 PM	#2
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	Is it a replica?

September 17, 2009, 02:30 PM	#3
shrthrcrzy Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 12	No its an original authentic colt.

September 17, 2009, 02:48 PM	#4
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	You should get it professionally appraised.

September 17, 2009, 03:51 PM	#5
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	How do you know it is not a replica?

September 17, 2009, 04:15 PM	#6
koolminx Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Posts: 520	Worth?? I'll give ya $40 bucks for it! On the streets of NJ and NY you can get a 1911 for $20 bucks if the guy needs crack bad enough.... What do ya say?

September 17, 2009, 04:35 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	In fair condition, with some of the original finish, a regular Colt 1851 will bring about $900-1500. The better the condition, the higher the value. Jim

September 17, 2009, 04:48 PM	#8
shrthrcrzy Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 12	Well, because I collect SXS shotguns, like parkers, purdeys, fox's, and l.c smith's so I know a replica and an original when I see it. I didn't fall of the turnup trucK yesterday lol. Might have some PTSD, but familiar enough with antiques to know an original. -Thanks Jim just wanted to know if its worth paying someone to appraise it.

September 17, 2009, 04:56 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Probably not. Unless it is some rare piece, either in itself or by association (e.g., R.E. Lee's own revolver), its value will be in about the range I mentioned. The only "trick" is to estimate the amount of orginal finish remaining, the usual criterion for determining value assuming the gun is functional and not missing parts. There are literally dozens of books giving antique gun values (and they don't agree) as well as books on that gun alone and on Colts in general. The figures I gave are lowball; I don't like to give a high value sight unseen because people will be disappointed. Jim

September 17, 2009, 06:04 PM	#10
shrthrcrzy Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 12	No I understand, and I appreciate it. I am going to take it to a reputable collectore and get his opinion as soon as I get a day off. Thanks.-B

September 18, 2009, 08:24 AM	#12
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	Let us know how your inquiry goes. The reason I asked my question is not because I doubted your mental capacity, but because I have heard of so many high-quality forgeries of the old Civil War Colts.