1851 Colt Navy 1st Gen.

B

bixbysales

Inactive
Hey everyone! I have an 1851 Colt Navy in my shop right now and im trying to get some info on it. Ive been researching quite a bit and as it turns out the serial number is a 4 digit number. After contacting Colt and looking online it says that the serial number is a 1st generation. Also all of the parts have a matching serial number as well and being that this gun is over 150 years old the over all condition is really good. So my question is, does anyone know much about these that could maybe tell me what the value would be?
 
To big a question to answer with what you have given. If you can post some clear pictures from several angles that will make it a lot easier. Any finish left? When cocked does everything rotate and lock up correctly? Is it military marked or a civilian model? Condition is everything in determining a value.
 
I'd say for the best results, ask the guys who frequent the black powder section of the forum. Alot of them are fans of the old colts and would probably know more. What I can tell you though is go to the library or bookstore; most have books on current gun values.
 
There is no shortage of these guns, which range from rusty relics to bureau drawer queens that were never fired.
Condition is everything with this model, and while some variations are scarcer than others a good specimen is more desirable than a poor specimen of a rare version.
The standard works are Nathan L. Swayze, '51 Colt Navies and Joseph G. Rosa, Colonel Colt London
 
At first, I thought that was a Second Model squareback, and in pretty good condition. But there are a couple of things that don't look right, and if I were considering investing in it, I would want to check it out very closely or have an expert look at it.

One is the hammer, which has a shape I have never seen on a '51 Navy; also the barrel lug shape and its wedge slot position don't look right. Some things about the frame don't look right, either.

I have a strong suspicion that the gun is a repro that has been "humped" to give it an antique appearance and the numbers put on using a set of stamps made in the old font.

Jim
 
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I can't say that this picture is of an original though it is advertised as a first model

http://www.gunsinternational.com/RA...75aec0d1c-93FCD284-90B1-1C33-46130E11A04614C5
 
Hi, Buzzcook,


That is the First Model, easily identified because of the wedge screw below the wedge. Those guns didn't have the base pin slot cut through the center of the base pin, they had it cut out of the top, so the wedge sat higher up. It has every appearance of being original. Also, the barrel lug profile (at the point where it joins the frame) is like that of the Third Model Dragoon being produced at the same time. The profile became more rounded on both guns later on.

Jim
 
Here's a picture of #2870 (2nd model squareback) from Wilson's TBCF, showing the distinctly different hammer shape.

I knew there was something else about the revolver that didn't look right, and it's the curvature and position of the trigger (as if the hammer is cocked). The position could just be an issue with the action.

It would be helpful to see a picture of the other side, as well as the top marking on the barrel.

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Here are more pictures
 

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According to Wilson, the standard top mark should be

--- ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY --- (with the L smaller and underlined) for serials 1-74,000

I can't see whether or not the "CITY" is present, but the authentic top mark that may match the pattern you show above is

--- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA --- , which applies to serials 101000 to 215348, not this gun

It's an interesting gun with a good amount of finish and a decent cylinder scene. Presumably the other partial serials present elsewhere on the gun also match. If genuine, I would think it's worth easily $3-5,000 being such an early serial, but the issues with the hammer and the barrel marking would certainly need to be explained. I am with James K (skeptical at this time).

Added - I would also note that the cylinder serial number, although not easy to see, appears to be out of position and the COLT'S PATENT No letters preceding it not large enough or arranged serially as they should be. They almost appear to be in two lines.

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Here's what think it should look like, although on a much later gun

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got some more for you guys. Thank you for all the feedback im getting. Its really helpful
 

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I have a few more pictures left. sorry for posting so many but i want to be sure it is real or a replica
 

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In my opinion (interested to hear others) the cylinder is definitely wrong. The Colts Patent stamp looks like the same one used on the left side of the frame, and I have never seen it in that format on the cylinder.

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The top marking is definitely that of a later gun. At this point I would say Replica, although I am certainly open to more learned opinions. I only got into the Colt Percussions about a year ago when I purchased 5 of them from a relative.
 
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