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

S

shrthrcrzy

Inactive
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.
 
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? :)
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
shrthrcrzy said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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