Help identifying old colt army

S

slowlowmiata

Inactive
Hey guys hopefully I'm posting this in the right section if not let me know. I've recently come into possession of this old colt and was looking to see if anyone had any insight at all about the piece. From my own research it seems to be a 1862 model 1860. Where it gets confusing for me is the amount of proof marks on it and also inside the box were London made colt percussion caps...so I'm leaning towards this being an even rarer import gun. The serial numbers on the frame and barrel seem to match but the barrels numbers are etched while the frame looks stamped. I'll put up a bunch of pics but let me know if you need something more specific. I really know nothing about these guns so any info is helpful











 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bad news: You have an Italian reproduction. The proofs are Italian and the electropencil etching is completely phony and inappropriate.

The date of manufacture is 1968 as evidenced by the Italian date code of XXIV.

The cap box might be original, though.

Edit: It looks to have been artificially aged.
 
gyvel said:
Bad news: You have an Italian reproduction. The proofs are Italian and the electropencil etching is completely phony and inappropriate.

The date of manufacture is 1968 as evidenced by the Italian date code of XXIV.

The cap box might be original, though.

Edit: It looks to have been artificially aged.
Click to expand...
This isn't what I wanted to hear but was expected. These things worth anything or should I just hang it up on the wall?
 
You already got the bad news on the pistol . . . all the accouterments are reproduction as well. The flask is a typical Italian report just at first glance.

Get it checked out . . . even if there is some pitting in the bore, etc., ir necessary repairs can be made, it times well and is tight, it should be a good shooter.

Besides the Italian markings . . . the first thing I spotted was the serial number on the bottom of the frame - too straight and even.

Don't feel bad about it . . . just get it in shape, shoot it and enjoy it! :)
 
The cap tin certainly looks to be period. Labels from that period (around 1865-70, I THINK) were green.

That one looks like it could have once been green and has now faded.

What's interesting is that it appears that someone has taken the 250 (Eley packaged caps in tins of 100, 250, and 500 in this time period), and with a pen changed it to 100.

I don't know of anyone who has reproduced the Eley Brothers tins, so I suspect that it's authentic. They're fairly common, and can be had in relatively OK shape for between $50-$100.

If the caps are still in the tin, value could be north of $100. This one on horsesoldier.com was in MUCH better overall condition, and with caps in the tin, and went for $250

http://www.horsesoldier.com/products/firearms/cartridges-and-gun-tools/9682


The powder flask is also interesting, both for what it is, and what it isn't.

What it isn't is a Colt flask, which used the same design on their original flasks in the civil war period. Authentic ones are marked "Colt's pat."

What yours is is a reproduction, and was likely made by the same maker as the gun, possibly Pedersoli (who still makes them today. You can get one at Cabella's).

Put those two items together, and what you might have is one of the commemorative sets that were imported into the United States around the time of the Civil War Centennial.

Hopefully no one tried marking that guy up with the intent to defraud, but if they did, and someone bought it thinking they were buying a legit Colt...
 
Mike Irwin said:
The cap tin certainly looks to be period. Labels from that period (around 1865-70, I THINK) were green.

That one looks like it could have once been green and has now faded.

What's interesting is that it appears that someone has taken the 250 (Eley packaged caps in tins of 100, 250, and 500 in this time period), and with a pen changed it to 100.

I don't know of anyone who has reproduced the Eley Brothers tins, so I suspect that it's authentic. They're fairly common, and can be had in relatively OK shape for between $50-$100.

If the caps are still in the tin, value could be north of $100. This one on horsesoldier.com was in MUCH better overall condition, and with caps in the tin, and went for $250

http://www.horsesoldier.com/products/firearms/cartridges-and-gun-tools/9682


The powder flask is also interesting, both for what it is, and what it isn't.

What it isn't is a Colt flask, which used the same design on their original flasks in the civil war period. Authentic ones are marked "Colt's pat."

What yours is is a reproduction, and was likely made by the same maker as the gun, possibly Pedersoli (who still makes them today. You can get one at Cabella's).

Put those two items together, and what you might have is one of the commemorative sets that were imported into the United States around the time of the Civil War Centennial.

Hopefully no one tried marking that guy up with the intent to defraud, but if they did, and someone bought it thinking they were buying a legit Colt...
Click to expand...
There are caps in the tin and also powder in the flask
 
The caps would have to be authentic Eley caps for them to add to the value of the tin.

Modern caps are nice, but the don't add anything to the value of the tin other than their replacement value.

The same with the powder in the flask.
 
I am no expert on cap boxes, but the ones that came with my Cavalry Commemorative set (two 1860 Army repros) have the same label except for the quantity (mine is 250) and label color (mine is dark green); the box itself is black. Were they made by Eley? I don't know; Eley was making caps at that time, so it is possible.

Jim
 
Even if it were made by Eley, it would still be a modern reproduction of a period cap tin.

I'm betting that the tin in the OP's set is one of the 1960s reproductions, and likely came with the gun, and it has been aged. As I noted above, it appears that it was once green but has been faded out and the entire thing artificially aged.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top