Colt 1851 Navy - Good Price?

PAMuzzleshooter · March 09, 2011, 09:40:50 PM

I have a chance to buy a COLT 1851 Navy .36 in wood presentation box. Ball mould and nipple wrench are missing. Gun is very clean, no marks on screws, no rust. Says USED but I don't see any signs of wear. All serials match. Serial is 113**.

They are asking $495. Is this a good price? Anyone know what year is was manufactured? I have a listing of Colt Serial Numbers that says 1974, but year may be wrong as book included is copyrighted 1978. Book may be a replacement is year is correct.

Abilene · March 09, 2011, 10:01:11 PM

Howdy, the serial number data at proofhouse.com also places that '51 Navy production at 1974. I'm no expert, but that price sounds pretty decent to me. Good luck.

Fox Creek Kid · March 09, 2011, 10:16:33 PM

It's a fair price, BUT what do you want it for? To shoot or collect? For a shooter it's a fair price. Not great, but fair.

PAMuzzleshooter · March 09, 2011, 10:44:19 PM

Thanks.

Abilene...yeah that's the list I was using. If it's an accurate list, then the book must be a replacement.

Fox...I'd like to shoot it. I am not a collector and If I was going to collect one I would like it to be an original

Now to convince the boss that I need to spend the money.

Fingers McGee · March 10, 2011, 10:03:38 AM

If the case, flask and cap tin are 2nd Gens as well as the pistol, then $495 is an excellent price. Colt case would go for $150+ depending on whether it has an inlet or surface mounted latch, flask in the $100+ range - again, depending on whether it has the blued, pewter, lacquered coppr finish and unfired pistol in 98% condition around $400-$450; although some have gone lower lately.

Bishop Creek · March 10, 2011, 03:37:49 PM

Made in 1974? I think that may be a "C" series 2nd Gen which were entirely built at the Colt factory making it more valuable than the later "F" series 2nd Gen percussion pistols made from the late '70s through the early '80s that were made at Iver Johnson and then inspected and shipped from the Colt factory (not to be confused with the later Signature Series). I'd buy it in a heartbeat, and use it as a shooter. You can get a Colt factory letter for it for $75. I have an "F" series 1862 Colt Police .36 made in 1981 that is an excellent shooter.

Pettifogger · March 10, 2011, 04:56:41 PM

I never could understand why anyone would pay $75.00 for a letter on a used 2nd Gen Colt. When you've spent your $75.00, the gun would still only be worth $450.00.

Bishop Creek · March 10, 2011, 07:40:21 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on March 10, 2011, 04:56:41 PM
I never could understand why anyone would pay $75.00 for a letter on a used 2nd Gen Colt. When you've spent your $75.00, the gun would still only be worth $450.00.

Nor would I unless it was a mint, unfired, C series Navy in a complete cased set that I was going to pass down to my children.

Fox Creek Kid · March 10, 2011, 07:55:50 PM

Bishop, either you have bolt problems in that Colt or someone handling it does not know the right procedure as that bolt drag line is atrocious!

Bishop Creek · March 10, 2011, 08:00:55 PM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on March 10, 2011, 07:55:50 PM
Bishop, either you have bolt problems in that Colt or someone handling it does not know the right procedure as that bolt drag line is atrocious!

I know. It was that way when I bought it used, but unfired 15 years ago. That's why I decided to shoot it. Going to have to touch it up with cold blue one of these days.