USFA Walker value

[hatman]

Howdy folks,

I guy at the range last week mentioned he had a USFA 1847 Walker in a "brown patina" finish.
His dad bought it, he thinks, about 20 years ago and it was recently willed to him.
He said it's never even been taken out of the box.
He was curious, and so am I, as to what fair market value might be.
I googled up one reference was that they sold for about $1000 about 5 years ago.

For my own curiosity, would this be an Italian parts/USFA-assemble gun?

Thanks.

[LonesomePigeon]

A USFA 1851 Navy new in box sold for $905 a few weeks ago on gunbroker. I would think a Walker would go for more but not really sure.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=512824498

As I understand it all of the USFA/USPFA percussion revolvers were made with Italian parts, some were Armi San Marco and some were Uberti.

Here is some good info about USFA/USPFA percussion revolvers:
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-percussion-revolvers/106789-first-blackpowder-gun-my-birthday.html
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-revolvers/22621-colt-2nd-gen-blackpowder-mystery-gun.html

[hatman]

A USFA 1851 Navy new in box sold for $905 a few weeks ago on gunbroker. I would think a Walker would go for more but not really sure.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=512824498

As I understand it all of the USFA/USPFA percussion revolvers were made with Italian parts, some were Armi San Marco and some were Uberti.

Here is some good info about USFA/USPFA percussion revolvers:
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-percussion-revolvers/106789-first-blackpowder-gun-my-birthday.html
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-revolvers/22621-colt-2nd-gen-blackpowder-mystery-gun.html

Thanks LP.  Interesting info.

[Professor Marvel]

The USFA cap and ball revolvers were few in number, and unfortunately , were not well documented. I myself spent a bit of time searching about and could not find any documentation that USFA produced a Walker, but that doesn't prove much since USFA was well known to take Italian parts and build a beautiful "one of" at the drop of a hat.

They were "supposed to" build Remington 1858's but except for the "show guns" none every showed up.

I hope Gary or the other USFA experts show up soon ....

yhs
prof mumbles

[hatman]

I got to see the "Walker" this week out at the range.
Turns out it's a 3rd Model Dragoon.
It's definitely been fired and is missing the wedge screw.
It did have a very nice antique finish.
I didn't see any identifying marks, but it did come with a nice old box and a USFA owners manual.

I told him I'd buy it for $500, but that he might get a lot more, maybe.
He replied he'd be willing to sell it to me for $1000 and I declined.
He said he'd post it on gunbroker at some point.

I may have jumped on it at $1000, but I didn't because I've spent way more than anticipated for some cool guns in the last couple months and my Uberti Walker is a great shooter.
Does anybody think I'm an idiot for passing up an antiqued USFA Dragoon for $1000?

[LonesomePigeon]

I was certainly enthralled by that USFA 1851 Navy that I posted a link to earlier but to be honest I'm not really a collector. That said, IMHO I think you were right to offer $500 and right to pass on $1,000. Usually if something is not 100% New in Box the value drops considerably. I could be wrong though, it might be rare enough that it still has collector value after being fired. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

[hatman]

End of story:
Guy comes to the range today and plops the Dragoon in a wood presentation box with accessories on the bench and says it's mine for $500.
I said I'd buy it if I could shoot it successfully first.
I hit a couple clays at 50yds with two cylinders (max 5" group).
I just finished cleaning it.  

[yahoody]

I hit a couple clays at 50yds with two cylinders (max 5" group).
I just finished cleaning it.  

Well played : )

[Pangaea]

Hatman,

Might you share some pictures of this weapon?

[hatman]

Hatman,

Might you share some pictures of this weapon?

I'd be happy to, but I don't know how to post pictures.

[Pangaea]

If you have a picture of it on your computer, you can go to the additional options (at the lower left corner of the reply box) and select the attach button to select the photo (from the folder it is in on your computer).  It should show up as an attached file and when you post, it will show up in the reply box.  Might take a couple of tries, but a good way to learn. 

[hatman]

Attempting to post a pic...

Hey, it worked.  Thanks Pangaea.
As you notice, it's missing the wedge screw, but we used a Uberti Walker screw worked for the tryout.
Seller gave me a replacement screw today.  I'll have to antique it.
Seller also told me he found another antiqued Dragoon in his deceased dad's belongings.
He said he'll probably put it on gunbroker at some point.

[GaryG]

I checked with a long term employee of USFA just to confirm and we never did an antique Dragoon.  Also, the fit of the BS and TG is not up to USFA standards.

[hatman]

I checked with a long term employee of USFA just to confirm and we never did an antique Dragoon.  Also, the fit of the BS and TG is not up to USFA standards.

Interesting.
Any idea who the manufacturer may be?

[yahoody]

Curious as to made you think it was a USFA gun?

[Coffinmaker]

Were I about to risk real money, I'd be betting it's an ASM.

Coffinmaker

[hatman]

Curious as to made you think it was a USFA gun?

It came with a USFA owners manual (which covered several BP models).

[hatman]

Were I about to risk real money, I'd be betting it's an ASM.

Coffinmaker

Aah interesting.

I'm kinda stuck, but it shot well.
I guess I overpaid, but such is life.

[yahoody]

it shot well.

That would be worth a premium to me...
Any other markings on the gun?  Top or bottom of the barrel?
Anything on the case?

[hatman]

That would be worth a premium to me...
Any other markings on the gun?  Top or bottom of the barrel?
Anything on the case?

Only markings are fairly crude serial numbers in a couple places (1988).