Posted: 6/9/2014 6:43:55 PM EDT
I went to a auction the other day and purchased what I believe is a colt 1878 in .45 LC it was marked as early military revolver. I got it for $250 it has some pitting and the bluing is gone the pony is completely gone and the colt logo is also gone but the serial number is intact. I want to send it in to a gun smith and have them get it functioning if possible which I think should be no problem. So my question is does this pistol look like a colt 1878, who would be a good smith to send it to, and what would you think the value of this pistol would be.
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Looks similar to what is shown by theautry.org as a "sheriffs model" 1878:
http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/speed-versus-accuracy?artifact=87.118.75 |
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It's worth a good bit more than 75.00......I'd buy them all day long at that price.....
The 1877 Lighning/Thunderer action has nothing at all in common with the 1878 action.....the '78 action is a little "funky", but actually pretty durable. The odd thing is that it doesn't use a bolt to lock the cylinder....the hand serves that function, along with a small spring loaded plunger to cause friction on the rear of the cylinder. Once the cylinder pin/bushing gets worn, the whole system goes out of whack......from the pics it's obvious your cylinder pin is fubar/toast If you can find a copy, buy "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West" by Chicoine......really good chapter on '78's..... The author is a gunsmith as well.....probably no one better to send it to...... http://www.oldwestgunsmith.com/ |
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Quoted:
It's worth a good bit more than 75.00......I'd buy them all day long at that price..... The 1877 Lighning/Thunderer action has nothing at all in common with the 1878 action.....the '78 action is a little "funky", but actually pretty durable. The odd thing is that it doesn't use a bolt to lock the cylinder....the hand serves that function, along with a small spring loaded plunger to cause friction on the rear of the cylinder. Once the cylinder pin/bushing gets worn, the whole system goes out of whack......from the pics it's obvious your cylinder pin is fubar/toast If you can find a copy, buy "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West" by Chicoine......really good chapter on '78's..... The author is a gunsmith as well.....probably no one better to send it to...... http://www.oldwestgunsmith.com/ Do you think it would be worth sending in and get functioning or is the condition to bad. |
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I guess that all depends on what you'd like to end up with......
A full restore would almost certianly cost more than it would be worth....some minor action work, and a set of repop hard rubber grips could make a fun (black powder only) shooter out of it...... I'd contact the "oldwestgunsmith" if I were you.....see what he recommends. Looking at sold guns in similar condition, I'd venture to say it's worth the 250 you paid for it, up to maybe 450(?)....functionality means a lot with the value of these....and guns with zero original finish seem to go higher than refinished ones..... |