Colt Revolver 1876 what is it worth
My wife lost her father a few years ago and he let her Colt Revolver.We mailed off to colt and they sent us papers back that it was shiped to New York in 1876 and was in a lot of 50 that were Blue .I can see some sighns of a plating job shinny chrome looking spots and the gun has some tarnish and rust.Two questions how much is it worth and what should I do to restore or maintain it ? Not sure if I can post photos here.
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Well, if Colts' said they were shipped Blue, there should be no sign of nickel plating anywhere. This likely means a plating job after the factory and will detract seriously from the value of the piece. Having said that, I would NOT at this point consider refinishing the gun; whatever collector value it has will be gone there and then. I would tell you to post some pictures to the Forum and see what the guys can come up with. SAA's are notoriously faked, refinished and buggered, but there IS a high demand forthem in virtually any shape...the big money difference coming into play for the high percentage original finish guns that are left in the market place. Even a zero % finish gun is worth $400 to $600 if mechanically OK for use by Cowboy Action Shooters and those collectors who want a gun in the collection they are not afraid to shoot. If you can, post those pictures and we will try our best to give you some kind of idea what it may be worth. If you cannot post pictures, try e-mailing myself or one of the other guys here with the attachment, and we will post them for you. To preserve the gun for the time being...get some Hoppes gun oil or other light machine type oil and slather it on there until you can get some professional help! Welcome to the Forum!
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Here are some photos and my letter says colt single action army revolver caliber .45/c shipped to Schuyler, hartley & Graham New York New York October 18 1876 number same type 50 . I looked at all the parts and they have the same s/n
Thanks for the help
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1860 Marcellus Hartley founded the Schuyler, Hartley & Graham Sporting Goods Company, which would later become one of the largest sporting goods companies in the world.
1867 In an effort to diversify their holdings, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham purchased two small New England cartridge companies. These companies were later closed, and the equipment moved to a new site in Bridgeport, Connecticut. On August 9, 1867, the Union Metallic Cartridge Company was incorporated. It was particularly noted for its development of metallic cartridges. It and its successor company subsequently developed the first paper shotshells successfully manufactured in the United States, the first primer adapted to smokeless powder; the first battery cup for best quality paper shotshells; the first cartridges for automatic pistols; the first standard high-power smokeless cartridges for big game autoloading rifles; the first .410 bore gauge shotshell in the United States; the first nickeled primer; the first oil-proof automatic pistol cartridges; and the first completely wetproof loaded shells, including top wad, crimp and body.
1888 In March 1888, E. Remington & Sons was acquired by Marcellus Hartley and partners. E. Remington & Sons was reorganized, and the new company was named the Remington Arms Company. In later years, in order to better utilize the potential of the Remington Plant, the company would produce sewing machines and cash registers.
1912 The Union Metallic Cartridge Company of Bridgeport and Remington Arms Company were combined into one company and became Remington U.M.C.
I did a search and found some info on the company that bought the gun to start with and it is kind of interesting gun history so I posted it . It looks like remington bought colts .This tid bit may also give me a way to trace the gun further from a diff angle .Experts jump in any time with thoughts prices care tips .
Thanks in advance for your help.
One more thing could Schuyler, Hartley & Graham have plated the Gun and would this have been a practice in the 1800 . There are some military cat from cival war with there name .0 -
The question of whether is left Colt's in blue or nickel seems to have little bearing on the value of this piece. It is in "old brown gun" condition and value is based on its being an early piece, its poor condition with ejector missing and any special characteristics it has, if any. Ivory grips help. Competent restoration work could cost a bundle and make it look nice but wouldn't enhance the value much, if at all, certainly not enough to pay for the job. As-is it might go for $1200-1800, my guess. Hope this helps. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by rhmc24
The question of whether is left Colt's in blue or nickel seems to have little bearing on the value of this piece. It is in "old brown gun" condition and value is based on its being an early piece, its poor condition with ejector missing and any special characteristics it has, if any. Ivory grips help. Competent restoration work could cost a bundle and make it look nice but wouldn't enhance the value much, if at all, certainly not enough to pay for the job. As-is it might go for $1200-1800, my guess. Hope this helps.0 -
Let's try this again. I intended to include that I have one same year, 7 1/2", ivory, old re-nickel now 80%, fine bore have been offered $2500 for. 0 -
Thanks for the info as for the care just oil it then ?I never noticed it was missing a part and even with that it sounds like its worth more than my new guns. 0 -
You got some very valuble information on this Posting...If It were mine there would'nt be enough Money in the world to get it away from me......For about $250.00 You can find an Extractor Housing and Screw along with an Extractor, Head and Spring.....Increase the value and have a real Honest Antique and family Hierloom....Whatever You do.....Don't Sell or Trade it Off.....You'll never Replace it....!.............Best.............
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0
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