1849 Colt cap & ball - update
UPDATE - I got to see it today, the chambers are rusty and the cylinder won't lock up. It is definitely .36 caliber. I wouldn't give $50 for it as a wall hanger.
I haven't actually seen this, but it is described as a .36 calibre 1849 Colt. Markings include Col. Sam Colt, NY, US, America Serial number 270702.
Can anyone give me an approximate DOM and value.
I know, I know, value depends a lot on condition, but a ball park figure for "average" condition appreciated.
If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, pick it up. If you can't pick it up, paint it.
I haven't actually seen this, but it is described as a .36 calibre 1849 Colt. Markings include Col. Sam Colt, NY, US, America Serial number 270702.
Can anyone give me an approximate DOM and value.
I know, I know, value depends a lot on condition, but a ball park figure for "average" condition appreciated.
If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, pick it up. If you can't pick it up, paint it.
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I don't know squat from personal knowledge Tommy, but I have a Dixie Gun Works Antique catalog that has several in it, all are short on bluing etc but mechanically sound, certified for collecting, not shooting. The prices range from $1195 for the worst one to $4695 for the best one, which they classify as in "Very good" condition. Dixie tends to be on the high side a bit, but that should be fairly close for an average..
Maybe this will help a bit until someone better comes along.
There are no bad guns, only bad people.0 -
Slight discrep here if it's a Colt 1849 it's .31 not .36. If it really is .36 than it's probably a New Model Pocket Pistol of Navy Caliber or Pocket Navy. Unfortunately the Pocket Navy's Serial numbers didn't go this high, so what you actually have here is??? Probably a .31 1849 Pocket. 0 -
Flayderman's shows the basic 1849 pocket model worth from $475 good to $1100 fine. If marked for calibre it should be just behind the trigger on the left side of brass trigger guard. The owner could be wrong about the calibre. It could be marked .36 and still be a .31. Early Colts were often marked with the wrong caliber. I have two. 0 -
"The Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver (also called the Improved Pocket Pistol, Old Model Pocket Pistol, and Model of 1849 Pocket Pistol), was made in barrel lengths from 4 to 6 inches, but the one sometimes called the Wells Fargo Model is caliber .31, 5-shot, with 3-inch octagon barrel, round-back trigger guard, and made without loading lever. The cylinder stops are rectangular and the guard and straps are often found silver-plated."
The above quote is found on page 162 of "Guns of the Old West, An Illustrated Guide" by Charles Edward Chapel, Dover, 2002.
No values are given in the book, nor dates-of-manufacture, but I thought the description might prove helpful, somehow. (Or maybe I just wanted to show off my latest purchase!) [:)]
Good luck and if you can get pics, post 'em!
Big Al (thinking, if only those firearms could talk...)0 -
If this is a Model 1849 Pocket Revolver, it's .31 caliber, and #270702 was made in 1865.
The Standard Catalog of Firearms gives a value of:
Good - $1800
Fair - $1200
Poor - $300
Blue Book Value:
90% - $2750
80% - $2125
70% - $1700
60% - $1375
50% - $1000
40% - $750
30% - $6000 -
With that serial no. it has to be an 1849 Pocket, as none of the 36 cal models of that period go that high. It should have '31 CAL' stamped on the right side, rear trigger guard bolster.
IF it really is (or is stamped) 36 cal - then you're either looking at a rare production error (unlikely, but not impossible) or a fake.
As stated by others DoM is 1865, value $650-$1000.
nigelo
www.colt49.com
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Back to the Dixie catalog again(Not as an argument, just a report on what it says, right or wrong in case it might be of help).
Colt 1849 pocket revolver, .36 cal. five shot cylinder, four in. octagonal barrel, has been reblued, most of the blue remaining, marked with two line NY City address, much more, but that's enough. Serial number 140966. Overall fine but partially refinished..$1150.00
Colt model 1849 Pocket revolver, similar to above but no cal. listed,one line address on four in. barrel ending in "US America" Action works but is a little loose..Ser number 222164. overall very good condition, $1295.00
One more, six in. barrel, some British markings, condition "fine." Ser # 10677..Again no caliber listed. $4350.00
There are no bad guns, only bad people.0 -
I have great respect for Dixie - so put ser# 140966 down to a simple printing error.
The other two are perfectly correctly described. 10677 is still for sale on their web-based catalogue - and definately 31 cal.
The '31 CAL' marking doesnt appear before approx. ser# 235000 - so not unusual for some sellers to get the calibre wrong.
nigelo
www.colt49.com0
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