1849 Colt cap & ball final disposition

If you missed the start of this one:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=148484

The gun brought $425 at auction. The man who got it is convinced it is a 19th Century orginal. A .38 special round fits into the muzzle so I assume it is .36 calibre as marked.

I'm not sure where this leaves assertion from the first thread that the given serial number definitely indicates it should have been a .31 calibre.

Thanks again to all who replied to the first 2 threads on this topic.

Special thanks to the good Captain for allowing this rather general topic in the Experts forum.

If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, pick it up. If you can't pick it up, paint it.