Does Colt letter add to value

[acw]

Good day. I have an early four screw Colt Army. Curiosity got the best of me and I ordered a Colt letter. It just arrived and confirmed that the Colt was shipped in November 25, 1861 to United States War Department, Maj. R.H.K. Whiteley, New York Arsenal, Governor's Island, New York. It was one of 500 shipped.
A bit disappointed in that the letter didn't confirm that it shipped to Robert E. Lee with a picture of him carrying it at Gettysburg but it does confirm that it was shipped to the arsenal in 61 and surely carried through the war.
The question is- Does the letter add any financial value to the colt. Thanks for anyone who has the experience and takes time to share their thoughts.

 

[JOHN42768]

Short answer is yes. Any history or ownership is important to a collector. The letter itself is not an inexpensive item anymore. SRS books have some numbers listed, but a very very small percentage of the totals purchased.

 

[WJC]

Welcome! Intriguing question. Provenance makes a big difference in value and anything you can come up with to trace the ownership has to be positive.
Hope you'll post some photos of your Colt. And I hope to read your perspective on some of the topics we are discussing. Enjoy!

 

[mofederal]

I should hope to think so. I would to know how much it really does increase it's value. One of things I have heard about the letters, but I do not know how much it creases desirability.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

About the Colt, the letter, and R.E. Lee....
The cost of the letters is variable {or it always was, at least}. If It had gone to Lee, the letter would have cost a great deal more than it going to the US Army. In your case, Yes, it does add to the value but being 1 or 500 was that shipment only. There were more shipments. You can certainly regain the cost of the letter.