How to buy an ORIGINAL Colt Navy 1851

[philmonty]

Hi all

I own a few replica Colt Navy's and want to start looking for an original. How do I go about buying one and not get ripped off with a fake? I'm not experienced with these type of things

I'm looking for something I can shoot and wear at western events. Doesn't need to be perfect, but matching serials would be nice.

All advice is welcome.

Phil

[musketjon]

There is no quick way to tell you what to look for. It takes years to know what to look for. Unfortunately, the fakers are getting good at their trade.
Jon

[philmonty]

So are there reputable dealers? People who will help?

[helpfuljack]

Hi all

I own a few replica Colt Navy's and want to start looking for an original. How do I go about buying one and not get ripped off with a fake? I'm not experienced with these type of things

I'm looking for something I can shoot and wear at western events. Doesn't need to be perfect, but matching serials would be nice.

All advice is welcome.

Phil

http://www.colt.com/Catalog/ArchiveServices.aspx

Buy one from a legitimate dealer, look for one with an archive letter, and pay the $35 for a verification and reissuance of the archive letter?

(I'm guessing they'd tell you if they'd had numerous requests for a certain serial number / number range, as they're not really interested in propagating fakes either.)

[philmonty]

Thanks so much!!

Anyone have any dealers that they recommend?

[musketjon]

Where are you located?
Jon

[musketjon]

That Colt letter is going to cost you $2-300. The $35 days are L-O-N-G gone.
Jon

[ditchdigger]

Try the Colt Collectors Association.

There are also many reputable auction houses.

[helpfuljack]

That Colt letter is going to cost you $2-300. The $35 days are L-O-N-G gone.
Jon

It's $35 for the VERIFICATION of the letter, which is why I recommended getting one with an archive letter to start with, as the initial letter itself is a couple of hundred bucks plus.

[johnthomas]

Just tonight, my wife brought home a replica 1851, 44 cal revolver. Her friends Uncle died in December, she wanted me to have it. The top of the barrel has euroarms of America on the top of the barrel. OP, not trying to thread crap, just thought it was cool that I found your thread.

[highpower]

I have been looking to buy an original 1851 also and here are a few of my observations.

The really nice Navies are very expensive and would probably be those most likely to be faked due to the profit involved.

Guns with honest wear are fairly easy to come by and the ones that I have personally handled were all genuine. Real wear is usually uneven and will be consistent throughout, i.e. The internal wear should reflect the external wear.

I don't have the funds to buy a pristine Civil War gun, so those that I am interested in are typically priced in the $900 (really, really worn) to $1500 range with the increase in price reflecting the increase in condition.

So far, I haven't seen any 1851 fakes, I think that most of the counterfeit guns are going to be in the early models like a first or second Model Dragoons.

Walkers have been faked for so long that even If I had 200K to throw at one, I would have to have some heavy verification before I put down the money.

[philmonty]

Thanks highpower - great feedback, and I am looking for exactly that type of pistol too - let me know any leads you get...

Phil

P.S. I am located in the SF Bay Area

[eightmd]

I have one of those model colts. It was an officer's gun so it is 36 calibur. The engravings on the side get really worn on the ones that were used to where it is really hard to tell that there was any. I took it to a gun show to see how much it was worth and a couple of guys said it was maybe worth $2,000. So I'm sure you can find one, but I'm also sure the price goes up fast if it is in good condition.

I just saw something where a corrosive free walker colt sold for $800,000 in Oct. 2008. So I think the walkers are priced out of most of our ranges.

[philmonty]

Thanks - I'd likely spend up to $2000, so this is good to know.

[musketjon]

I have one of those model colts. It was an officer's gun so it is 36 calibur.

It's .36 caliber because it is an 1851 Navy Colt. They only came in .36 caliber. The fact that it was an officer's gun has nothing to do with it.
Jon