Colt 1860 impending purchase

[26Intrepid]

Hello all,

I'm planning on purchasing this Colt 1860 Army this coming week. I don't have a vast amount of experience with these revolvers... however, I believe this one to be in decent shape. Most of the bluing is non-existent... I don't believe this one has been tampered with and numbers appear to match (Font as well). This revolver was owned by a gentleman that passed away... his son acquired it but doesn't want it. It was offered to me at a very nice price. I would like to here what the forum has to say. Pictures tell the story... not too much pitting... I believe this piece will work nicely with my civil war collection. I'd rather find out now than later if it's a keeper...

 

[26Intrepid]

The seller also sent me this stat sheet his father had on this revolver...

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

It's a real one

 

[JOHN42768]

Mid 1862

 

[JackADriscoll]

I guess the question is what are you calling a good price

 

[26Intrepid]

As far as price goes...from my research on these revolver, the price on this one is very doable at $1000. It's not the greatest specimen, but i believe it's an original civil war era piece and I'm works for me. I would've liked a little more bluing... but...it would no longer be a $1000 piece.

 

[rob63]

FWIW, I live near Gettysburg and you sure as heck would never find an 1860 in that shape for only $1,000 around here. You would be darn lucky to only pay $1,500. The condition isn't the greatest, but it is an honest piece. I would snatch it up if I were you. If you decide down the road you want one in better condition you wouldn't get hurt selling it.

 

[Old Soldier]

The screws/pins are in very good condition - no widening by dodgy wedge screwdrivers. However, the bore needs some attention and may well be scarred and getting the nipples out will be a challenge too. Shootable - or just a 'collector's item'?

 

[JackADriscoll]

Thousand dollars is fair. Recent auction comps have ones in similar condition in similar years going from 800-1100 area so it's definitely a fair price.

 

[bayonet]

Thousand dollars is fair. Recent auction comps have ones in similar condition in similar years going from 800-1100 area so it's definitely a fair price.

I'd say your right on. At auction if you won it at $800 then you have to add the 18%-25% due the auction house. I display 3 Colts on my wall. A Army, Navy, and 1849 (Hartford marked) all in good condition. I did not pay over $1000 for any of them and that's adding the auction fee. As memory serves me got them from between $750-950 each.
So offer him $800 and see if he goes for it, if he's a friend should be no problem.

 

[26Intrepid]

Thanks all for your comments... no he's not a friend of mine (Local ad on line).

I'm more of a WW1, WW2, and Vietnam collector (I also have a few pieces from the Spanish/American war)... so... the seller had a local ad for a WW2 German pistol at a good price. I love buying local to avoid auction fees, shipping, and etc. I also like buying a piece that's been a family heirloom for years and not sold and purchased several times (I like having a personal story behind the piece I'm buying). The seller informed me his uncle brought the WW2 German pistol back as a war trophy. I asked if he was selling any other military weapons and he mentioned this Colt 1860, 1892 Springfield Krag dated 1898 (Plus ammo), and a WW2 ROF Jungle Carbine (Plus ammo). I was interested in the Krag ($640) and the Jungle Carbine ($490) and was going to make a bundle offer until I saw both pieces (Not the greatest of shape(s).

Anyways, this is how I fell into this deal...I agree with the forum... not the greatest of shape, but original and numbers matching. I believe these historical pieces will only increase in value and this is a good price for what it is. This revolver will only be a display piece for me and will never be fired.

I hope this answers a few questions and thanks again for the comments. I figure it's better asking questions and advice before the sale than after.

 

[Jack7171]

If you don't buy it, there's a thousand who will,,,,grab it before he changes his mind,,,that's a honest piece at a great price

 

[JackADriscoll]

What's the provenance of the pistol? Some of it can be verified by members with special skills. Also did the WW2 pistol have bring back papers?

 

[Papabyrd]

I would buy it. Not many things you find that's 162 years old are in that good of shape and still working as it is supposed to.
also you won't find a lot with as clear a cylinder engraving as that one has. Good find.

 

[26Intrepid]

Both pieces are a good find... provenance? Only that a family member brought back the WW2 firearm. Do I know for a fact this is true?... nope... papers? Nope...but after talking to the seller for several days, I feel he's an honest and good person. I just go with the info being given to me. It's a nice piece of history at a good price.

Papabyrd... I agree with you 100% sir... my feelings exactly!

Jack7171... I agree with you as well... decent piece and decent price... thank you sir

I should finalize this deal next week... thanks all for your responses

 

[Brokenbear]

Well old Son if you decide it does not meet your criteria feel free to PM me and I will buy it !
Hopefully that gives you some confidence to take action to acquire it for yourself ..or to pass it on to someone who will keep it well and safe ..good find and good luck!

Bear

 

[26Intrepid]

Just a quick update...

Payment was finalized and the seller overnighted the two items to me last night (Very nice of him). Anyways, I just saw an added surprise... a cartouche on the grip that I didn't initially see. There's also at least two numbers stamped on the inside of the grip ( extremely hard to see and doesn't show up in a pic).. the two numbers I faintly see are "5" and "7". This revolvers seems to be matching all the way around.

The hammer appeared to have a bad spring because there was very little to absolutely no tension. I removed the grips to see if I could figure it out the problem... apparently, somebody took this revolver apart and didn't seat the mainspring. She's nice and tight now and extremely happy with the purchase!

 

[26Intrepid]

Just a quick update...

Payment was finalized and the seller overnighted the two items to me last night (Very nice of him). Anyways, I just saw an added surprise... a cartouche on the grip that I didn't initially see. There's also at least two numbers stamped on the inside of the grip ( extremely hard to see and doesn't show up in a pic).. the two numbers I faintly see are "5" and "7". This revolvers seems to be matching all the way around.

The hammer appeared to have a bad spring because there was very little to absolutely no tension. I removed the grips to see if I could figure out the problem... apparently, somebody took this revolver apart and didn't seat the mainspring. She's nice and tight now and extremely happy with the purchasE

 

[JackADriscoll]

That's great I bet your heart sank at first

 

[26Intrepid]

Hhaha yes it did... I was really bummed until I saw the mainspring floating free! A true piece of American history!