Old School Cap & Ball

[daschnoz]

I have another co-worker with questions about a gun.

http://www.kirbos.net/web_pictures/Ray1.jpg
http://www.kirbos.net/web_pictures/Ray2.jpg

************************************************** **
This is the info he gave to me:
- Round barrel stamped: Address Col. Sam L Colt New-York U.S. America
- Matching serial number on all items: 51704
- Cylinder stamped with: Colts Patent No. 1704, Pat Sept 10th 1850
- On muzzle end of cylinder stamped (naval scene): Emuales (sp) 16 May 1840

Pretty sure its a Model 1851 Navy or Belt revolver in 44 cal.
************************************************** **

To the best of his knowledge, everything is original.

He is looking for some general info.
- Year of mfgr.
- number made
- Union or Confederate
- Value

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[Alan]

Looks like an 1860 Army model to me. I am no expert on variations of that gun, so that is as close as I will be pinned. 8)

[Bardo]

Looks like an 1860 Army to me. Its not a 1851 Navy they looked different and were 36 cal. And being a 44 cal I would bet its a 1860. The 1861 were 36 cal I think. There are plenty of guys here that know way more then me. You may post this in the muzzleloading section, might have more responses.

Bardo

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

1860 Army

[scattershot]

Looks like an 1860 Army to me, too. It would have been a yankee revolver, since it was made in the North. Lots of them were "liberated" by Rebs from yanks who didn't need them anymore.

The inscription actually reads Engaged 16 May 1840

[Dframe]

Looks like an 1860 Army to me, too. It would have been a yankee revolver, since it was made in the North. Lots of them were "liberated" by Rebs from yanks who didn't need them anymore.

The inscription actually reads Engaged 16 May 1840

Yup. 1860. You MAY be able to find year of manufacture at proofhouse.com. Or you can call Colt at 1 800 962-COLT and they may be able to help you with the year. SOME records at Colt were lost in a fire many years ago so they don't have everything. The gun was manufactured up north but soldiers on both sides of the Mason-Dixon used them extensively.

[NoZombies]

Yup, 1860 with the stock cuts from the looks of it.

[MtGun44]

The only Colt it could be confused with is the 1861 Navy, but that is .36 cal. It has
to be a 1860 Army if in .44 cal, AFAIK.

I have replicas of each.

Bill

[Bullet Caster]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_211414efb8083c3396.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3148)Does it look sorta like this? This is my 1860 SSA without any bluing as I removed it to match my 1873 Uberti cattleman. You are correct in that a 1851 Navy is .36 caliber as I used to have one and sold it to buy my 1860 SSA. As can be seen on the frame, a screw to add the long stock to it. BC

[Combat Diver]

Cylinder is rebated (ie front larger than rear) making it a caliber .44 and a 1860 Army Revolver and not a t 1861 Navy in .36 cal.


CD

[daschnoz]

Thanks guys. Any guess at value in its current condition? (not that he is looking to part with it)

[NickSS]

Your friend has an 1860 Colt army revolver. Colt made and sold to the Union over 100,000 of them so from the serial number I would guess your was made around late 1862 to early 1863. The weapon looks like it is in at least NRA good condition and would bring something like $1500 to $1800 would be my guess.