Colt Reproduction

[Jethro "Black Jack" Harris]

Pards,
Looking fer some background knowledge. I recently came into possession of an 1851 Colt Navy that had been part of my oldest brother's gun collection. It was his only black powder, more's the pity. He died around 10 year ago and his guns went to another brother. This brother now has decided to share the collection with the family and since he knew I prefer the holy black, he offered it to me. He don't know quite fer certain when the gun was purchased or if'n it was new, but the 1970's are likely. I'm trying to determine if it is a Colt reproduction, made by Colt from their parts, or if'n it was assembled by Colt from Italian parts. The frame, hammer, and rammer are case hardened. The butt and trigger guard (which is squared in the back) appear to be stainless, but tarnished. The barrel and cylinder are blued, and the battle scene is perfect. The serial number matches on all parts and is in the 11,000 series, under 11,500. On top of the barrel it says "<ADDRESS SAML COLT  NEW-YORK CITY>" and on the left side of the frame it says "COLTS PATENT". I don't think the gun has ever been fired.

If any of you pards have an idea when it was made, how, and by whom, I'd sure appreciate the knowin' of it. Ballpark estimate of worth, too. Not cuz I want to sell, but just fer sh__ts 'n' grins.

Yer pard in the holy black,
Jethro BJ Harris

[Major 2]

Sounds like a 2nd Gen Colt Black Powder Series... the TG is Silver plated Brass as were original Civilian versions.

It is a true Colt and can be lettered, however it is in fact partly Uberti parts.
Here is the story better than I can write in a few paragraphs..

http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/Cap+%2526+Ball+Resurrection

[Fingers McGee]

Sounds like a 2nd Gen Colt Black Powder Series... the TG is Silver plated Brass as were original Civilian versions.

It is a true Colt and can be lettered, however it is in fact partly Uberti parts.
Here is the story better than I can write in a few paragraphs..

http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/Cap+%2526+Ball+Resurrection

To add to what Major 2 told you.  From the serial number, it is a C series 1851 Navy that was made in 1974 under the Blue Dome in Hartford.  It would have come in a two toned brown clamshell style Colt box. like this:

 

Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee

[Major 2]

As to value.. I paid $273 back in 75 for mine ....they have sold for twice that and I've seen even higher asked.
Unfired with the box, papers and factory letter ...the market is high...

[kurt250]

colt 2nd. gen. c/b's  are the best. i have them all and shoot them all.if you get it don't be afraid to use it. tehy seem to show up in sperts. can't find one then there a whole load that hit the market from some collector. bad thing about them you can't have only one, you'll want a brace of them at least. kurt250

[Fingers McGee]

Pards,
Looking fer some background knowledge.  Ballpark estimate of worth, too. Not cuz I want to sell, but just fer sh__ts 'n' grins.

Yer pard in the holy black,
Jethro BJ Harris

BJ,

2007 Blue Book of modern BP Arms (2007 edition) lists value as:
100% - $650; 98% - $450; 90% - $300; 80% - $200.  with the two toned box and papers add $50.00

colt 2nd. gen. c/b's  are the best. i have them all and shoot them all.if you get it don't be afraid to use it. tehy seem to show up in sperts. can't find one then there a whole load that hit the market from some collector. bad thing about them you can't have only one, you'll want a brace of them at least. kurt250

+1. Gunbroker usually has 15 or 20 2nd Gens listed; but it's closer to 50 now of all models; probably half dozen to a dozen '51 Navies.  I shoot a pair of C series 51 Navies and a pair of 61 Navies.  Have gotten the 2nd Gen collector bug & now have over 20. 

Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee

[Jethro "Black Jack" Harris]

Thank you kindly, Major and fingers and kurt...it's a great gun, smooth action...and i will take it to the range one day soon!!

yours in smoke,
BJ

[Jethro "Black Jack" Harris]

  It would have come in a two toned brown clamshell style Colt box. like this:

 

Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee

That's the exact box it came in.

[kurt250]

hey jack, try making combustable cartridges for your colt. thats all i shoot in my navys. make them myself and love them. if you need any info on them send me a e-mail. enjoy, kurt250

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

There is a thread on paper cartridges in THE BLACK ARTS, the Darksiders child-board.

I use TIMUCHINs method, from "the highroad".  A page of links are here;

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238769

The open discussion, all 9 pages and growing, is at;

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=144094

Here's anothe rlink;

http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index.php?topic=326.0