Colt 1860 Army serial #4735

[Greendoor]

Looking at a 1860 colt army to purchase in pretty rough condition. Two glarring issues:
Grips are highly shellacked looks like old grazing, screw for wedge isn't screwed flush to the wedge and there appears to be a piece of old yellow string behind the wedge screw.

 

[WJC]

If you think it is in "rough condition" and are concerned about other issues, why buy it? Save your money and put it toward a better (though possibly more expensive) piece. We can't all buy pristine antique firearms. But we can make sure we buy the best value for our hard-earned money.

 

[1867crete]

Yes agree, I've always heard quality over quantity . But on the flip side Ive bought and enjoyed several pieces that were not "high quality " when I could Afford them. You can always upgrade and trade! But this is coming from a person who tried to buy civil war antiques on paper route money as a-kid, and now am trying to buy them with a family and I have two kids! Sometimes its what it means to you at the time!

 

[JOHN42768]

You are looking at an April 1861 Army Colt. Is it 3 or 4 screw? Ask for better photos or photos broken down to verify your feelings. At that point you have to decide if it is worth the price to you.

 

[UCVRelics]

It would be very helpful if you posted some photos for us to see just what you are talking about as with condition. With a 4735 serial# it should have a fluted cylinder as I believe the first 5000 had them.

 

[Greendoor]

You are looking at an April 1861 Army Colt. Is it 3 or 4 screw? Ask for better photos or photos broken down to verify your feelings. At that point you have to decide if it is worth the price to you.

You are looking at an April 1861 Army Colt. Is it 3 or 4 screw? Ask for better photos or photos broken down to verify your feelings. At that point you have to decide if it is worth the price to you.

You are looking at an April 1861 Army Colt. Is it 3 or 4 screw? Ask for better photos or photos broken down to verify your feelings. At that point you have to decide if it is worth the price to you.

 

[Greendoor]

It is a four screw. Will try to upload pics.

 

[Claes]

Sold my 1860 in quite nice condition to buy another revolver. Will probably look for another when I have the money, so any issues are interesting to know of to be able to make a good choice in the future.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Sometimes it's nice to get a piece at a reasonable price that show's it's been there and done that.

 

[Claes]

Agree.

 

[UCVRelics]

I also agree. Here is one of mine that I dug at Fredericksburg and its not in the best of shape and I would rather have it the a mint one. This one was there!

 

[Claes]

I also agree. Here is one of mine that I dug at Fredericksburg and its not in the best of shape and I would rather have it the a mint one. This one was there!
View attachment 176719

I like that one.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Yes. That's a treasure.

 

[Greendoor]

Here all the photos I was able to upload. I am a novice to the purchase of a Civil War revolver and was wondering if anyone can recognize any discrepancies to an original 1860 colt army in comparison to this one. Serial #4735 are seen in places but with the roughness of the metal on the gun it is hard to see any other serial number matches. Would this be a wise purchase? Thanks for all your help and input.

 

[UCVRelics]

Would this be a wise purchase?

That depends on the price. There are several screws that aren't original to the gun and as I stated earlier with a serial# below 5000 it should be a fluted cylinder which would raise the value considerable.

 

[Mark A]

The cylinder serial number doesn't appear to match the number on the rest of the revolver so it is from a different gun.

The lowest serial number I have seen on an all matching numbered Colt with a rebated cylinder is #3158.

The highest serial number I have seen on an all matching numbered Colt with a fluted cylinder is #8837.

It's difficult to definitively state that gun #4735 should have either a fluted cylinder or a rebated cylinder. As others have suggested, save your money, wait and find a nicer Colt Army to purchase later.

Serial number 9795

Serial number 5468

 

[mofederal]

I would think you could find a better 1860 for your money.It looks like there might be several things wrong with it. A better one will come along.

 

[Claes]

Matching numbers or not I like it a lot, and I would like to have it in my collection just because of it's looks. There is something special with it, but of course I would not be willing to pay very much for it. If it was for sale here in Sweden it would probably still be quite expensive.

 

[Larryh86GT]

I like the looks of it if the price was right. But I agree with Mark A and mofederal also. I
think it depends on just what you are looking for.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Greendoor - Ultimately the choice is yours. You haven't indicated what price range the revolver is in. If it is a comfortable price for you, and if you really like the revolver, then buy it.....but only because you like it. Buying Civil War arms in today's fluctuating market for investment purposes is a dangerous game.
J.