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Posted: 1/4/2017 10:53:52 AM EDT
I know very little about these types of firearms. The cylinder appears to show no signs of being turned, and has some beautiful engraving. I am all ears here for any information you all can give me on this revolver! Thanks.





Link Posted: 1/4/2017 11:08:51 AM EDT
[#1]
I believe that is an 1851 Colt depicting a Navy battle from 43 and that is not the year model of the gun.  

Colt did make some of these repops and market them with a C or F prefix serial number.  Does it say "made in Italy' under the barrel?

That really isn't engraving, but a rolled on stamp.

http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/value-of-colt-1843-revolver-patent-9232-address-sam-l-colt-...-19420530.html
Link Posted: 1/4/2017 11:24:20 AM EDT
[#2]
All the numbers match, and no C or F prefixes or Italy marking. Second photo is meant to show the matching number on the cylinder, but I'd rather not turn it if I don't have to.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/davidwalrus/6_zpsxdip4txs.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/davidwalrus/7_zpseapjc85y.jpg
Link Posted: 1/4/2017 8:39:56 PM EDT
[#3]
With the square back trigger guard it looks like a first or second model Dragoon, is it a .44?


Edit, the Dragoon would have a round barrel but I believe the 1851 Navy would have a round trigger guard.
Link Posted: 1/4/2017 9:31:57 PM EDT
[#4]
Looks like an 1851 Navy to me. According to Colt's website the S/N could be an 1851 Navy made in 1852, or it could be a "1971 1851 Navy" made in 1975.  These guns were "re-issues" made with Italian parts but genuine Colt markings.

The square backed trigger guard did appear on 1st and 2nd Gen 1851s, but that stopped between S/N 4200-4500.

Given that and the immaculate condition,  I'd wager it is a 1970s Colt Re-issue
Link Posted: 1/4/2017 11:54:32 PM EDT
[#5]
It is a .36 cal. Thankfully the owner of this gun (an older coworker of mine) told me he bought it off some guy for $90 in 1974. His Colt collection is mind blowing and he has snagged some amazing deals in the past, so I appreciate the insight on this one.

I would say I am inclined to believe this one would be a reproduction because it is in far too good of shape... Awesome sub-forum here also. I'll definitely be spending some more time here.

Thanks for the info fellas!
Link Posted: 1/6/2017 11:00:17 AM EDT
[#6]
2nd Generation 1851 Navy......

The steel backstrap / squared triggerguard guns were also referred to as "London" Navys.....
Link Posted: 1/6/2017 9:25:22 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
2nd Generation 1851 Navy......

The steel backstrap / squared triggerguard guns were also referred to as "London" Navys.....
View Quote


This is yer answer ^  Very nice pistol.
Link Posted: 1/6/2017 9:29:40 PM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


This is yer answer ^  Very nice pistol.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
2nd Generation 1851 Navy......

The steel backstrap / squared triggerguard guns were also referred to as "London" Navys.....


This is yer answer ^  Very nice pistol.


S/N doesn't fit 2nd Gen, and wouldn't a London gun have the London address?
Link Posted: 1/6/2017 10:47:12 PM EDT
[#9]
That is not old timey bluing it is a modern bluing finish.
Link Posted: 1/6/2017 11:57:36 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


S/N doesn't fit 2nd Gen, and wouldn't a London gun have the London address?
View Quote


2nd Gen serial number range 4201 to 25099 produced in 1970's.  Who mentioned London?  OK I see where London was referred to, and no, square back does not mean it's a London 1851
Link Posted: 1/8/2017 7:02:16 PM EDT
[#11]
To not confuse the OP further, it boils down to that it is a reproduction, not an original.

It is trying to replicate the 1851 Navy done in London with the steel back strap and trigger guard.


They were contracted by Colt to a few companies from the 1960s to the 1980s, either Navy Arms, Iver Johnson, or Uberti. Missing the original box and such hurts its value as a reproduction.
Link Posted: 4/10/2017 11:43:27 PM EDT
[#12]
Having "NEW YORK CITY" stamped on the barrel kind of takes it out of the realm of "London" Navies. Not all "squarebacks" were made in London. That said, I agree that this a reproduction, so the seller's story may be accurate. Offer him $100, he'll be making 10% on the deal.
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