1851 Colt Navy Pricing Help

[drache]

1851 Colt Navy

Getting some possessions insured and would like to know what this is worth. I don't need to get it "inspected" or whatever the word is by a professional unless Im claiming it's worth over a certain amount.

This is an original Colt 1851 Navy in .36 caliber. The gun appears to have been manufactured in 1863 (mid to late) according to the serial number.

All the serial numbers match.

The bad is the gun is beat all to crap and isn't in firing condition. There is also a small hairline fracture in the frame that can be seen in one of the pictures. The gun has been clean in the past 60 guaranteed but I cant say before that.

This revolver was WELL used and was carried all across the US in covered wagon and then later up into Canada.

I also have the complete history of the original owner.

 

[mooncoon]

I think even with the crack it would be worth $6-$700 but that is just my guess. Seems like a fair bit of original finish on the right side of the frame. Tempting to suggest having a skilled welder put that crack back together using some sort of inert gas shielded welder

cheers mooncoon

 

[BCWILL]

I've seen similar ones in "non operating" condition go for 600-1000....condition is everything as you know
I'd say 800-ish is certainly a fair selling price guestimate...... for insurance purposes as stated though I'd lean more towards a $1000 as a min.

 

[Geronimo]

I think price wise it is worth 600 to 750 depending what is wrong with it. I wouldn't weld the crack, my feeling is leave it as is unless you can get a qualified gunsmith to do the repair so it doesn't show (if that's possible). The fact that you have the history of the original owner could make it worth more. You could write to Colt and see if they can trace where it was shipped to, but there is a charge for this service. I'd be interested to know who the original owner was and what is his history.

 

[Skinny 1950]

You didn't mention trying to restore it to shooting condition so the value will depend mainly on "as is" condition and how compelling the story is behind how it got to Canada. Any documentation and verifiable accounts of it's history can propel the value far beyond what it is worth as an old gun.

 

[Alonzo]

The crack is what happens when guys just gotta shoot an antique...that is too bad.
What the other posters have quoted for value is accurate.
Un-cracked would have been able to add at least 500 to the value.

 

[drache]

The crack is what happens when guys just gotta shoot an antique...that is too bad.

When that crack was made, the gun wasn't an antique

 

[Alonzo]

When that crack was made, the gun wasn't an antique

Hmmm...had to think on that for second....that is hilarious actually!!!!!!!

 

[Skinny 1950]

Why not try the US market from where the gun came from... with the history you have it might be worth quite a large amount. Get a quote from these guys:
http://www.michaelsimens.com/index.asp
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsAC_percussion_colts.htm

 

[drache]

Im not looking to see the revolver, EVER! Mainly I was wondering why I should be looking at for insurance wise.

An ancestor bought the firearm brand new and it's been passed through my family ever since!

 

[drache]

Here's a picture of my dad as a Baby! Recognize the gun? When my dad, his siblings, and his cousins all were kids they were allowed to play with the gun when playing cowboys and indians. As a matter of fact, one of my dad's cousin's pistol whipped my dad off the roof of the barn with it. "Boy Randy that sure looked real!" was what the cousin said with my dad looking up at him from his back on the ground.

 

[drache]

I also took this picture awhile back: