Colt 1851 Navy question/value

[1KPerDay]

Hi,
I have an original Navy, SN 59XX, some silver but basically no blue left, but very little pitting, cylinder scroll visible, nice wood, etc.

I just checked casually on gunbroker and they seem to range between about $1200 and $5000, depending on the amount of pitting. Is that about right?

Also, the cylinder is timed but the hammer doesn't stay back. Any ideas as to whether I could/should have this repaired without hurting the value? Are there period parts/repairs available?


And should I have it reblued?






















Just kidding on that last one.

 

[Old Fuff]

Just kidding on that last one.

You are lucky to still be alive...

It was made in 1856. As for repairs. It needs to be disassembled to see why it won't stand at full-cock. It may be a problem with the trigger, which would be inexpensive to replace. In addition the notches on the hammer may be ruined. In that case they can be welded up and the notches recut. I estimate the value of the revolver would be around $2,000.00 if it was professionally repaired. Cost of repairs would probably run around $200.00, and you'd keep the original hammer which would enhance the value.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thank you, sir.

Any reason why ones in worse shape (aesthetically) would be going for much more on the gun sale sites? Is it a matter of date/version?

Or are they not actually going for that... just being listed for that?


Oh, forgot to mention that the numbers all match. You probably assumed that, though.

 

[Tommygunn]

Any reason why ones in worse shape (aesthetically) would be going for much more on the gun sale sites? Is it a matter of date/version?

Somebody once remarked to me that while guns are often showed in books as being valued between, say, $XXX and $2XX, what they're really worth is what somebody will actually pay.
Then there's people who will want to get, for example, $1500 for a gun, and they'll put a pricetag on it of ... say, $2100, thinking a buyer will haggle it down to, say, around $1500, which was what he wanted in the first place.

Do the guns you're talking about have any special provenance? A generic colt navy 1861, for example, that is exactly the same as one (with provenance) that belonged to General George Armstrong Custer, or someone of fame like him, will be worth considerably less just 'cause of name association. While a lot of guns like this are likely in museums, still, some could be out there, and worth a lot of $$.

 

[1KPerDay]

Surely true. And mine don't have any special historical significance that I'm aware of. Other than the fact that they're family heirlooms now.

 

[Old Fuff]

I tend to be conservative when placing a value on something I haven't examined.

That said, I will say that you have a valuable piece that will undoubtedly increase in the future. Regardless of who originally had it, it will always remain a part of American history.