Help! Trying to buy Colt revolver for BF :)

[Winchester_73]

For what its worth, my collector friend informed me that the 1862 he got scammed on lacked "COLT'S PATENT" on it, which is a giveaway BUT he forgot to check for that. He also stated that the serial numbers on the parts were not as uniform as they should be, but that did not register to him.

I think in part, my friend, despite his great collection, and 30 years experience, bought the story at first, instead of the gun. Just goes to show important "buying the gun" is.

 

[Bruiser101]

Here are some more pics...

Thank you, everyone, for giving me things to think about and look out for. Unfortunately, this gun is being offered as a part of an estate auction out-of-state, so I'm not sure how to go about getting it examined by an expert before the auction takes place tomorrow.

I did ask my BF last X'mas what kind of guns he'd be looking to add to his collection next, and "early Colt revolver" was one of many he rattled off, though he didn't provide me with a specific model. Of course, I'm sure he knew I wouldn't remember all the details anyhow...

Reading Hawg Haggen's comments, the auction house got the year wrong but if it is genuine, it may be a decent find, so I did get more pictures.

I know pictures are no substitute for actually inspecting the item in person, but do these pictures help in making the call on authenticity?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Bruiser101]

And a couple more pics...

 

[PetahW]

IMO, that case looks to be wrong in several ways: It's too "new", the loading tool is wrong, the powder flask looks to be a modern one that's has it's copper finish completely chemically removed rather than partially removed as usual from use, and IMO the interior is the wrong pattern.

Here's what a real ones look like:

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/57/lid/1243

and

http://collectorebooks.com/gregg01/coltrevolver/Lot-511.htm

For comparison with the gun in your estate sale, here's a certified museum gennie: (Please note the stamping in the cylinder fluting)

http://www.nramuseum.org/the-museum...-pistols/colt-model-1862-police-revolver.aspx

Here's what a cased Uberti (copy) 1862 looks like, including a different-colored case similar to the estate sale case:

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/7005165/uberti-1862-colt-police-revolver-percussion-cased


IMO, if it's a genuine Colt, it's a hard-pressed specimen that someone found, put together with whatever to "make" a cased example and fooled around with the finish on the accessories and maybe the revolver - all in an attempt to raise the value.

It could be that whomever passed it into the estate got taken; or the heirs don't know what they're looking at, and presume it to be worth 50% of the ones I've linked above for reference.

IDK if your BF would want it, but I wouldn't pay more than $1K for it, and only that if it is indeed a gennie.

My opinion, of course, is worth exactly what you've paid for it...............




.

 

[Hawg]

I do believe I'd have to pass on it also. The screw heads are a little too good and I'd expect to see more of a turn line on a revolver that old.

 

[Bruiser101]

*sigh*

Ohhh, bummer... And I thought I finally found something perfect for the occasion.

Thanks for all the inputs though. I learned a lot and will be more careful in evaluating the authenticity of an antique firearms in the future for sure!

I guess I'm back to looking for street legal conversion kit for his moto now...

 

[357 Python]

Bruiser 101 don't dispair, sometimes the hunt for the right one is more enjoyable than the actual aquisition. He may also like an old SAA (Single Action Army), also referred to as the "cowboy" gun. Enjoy the hunt, sometimes a person is given a chance to learn soemthing new. I certainly learned something from this. If I hear of anything you may be interested in I'll try to pass it on to you. Colts do make great gifts.