Was this a good deal? 1860 3rd Gen

[avatarshots]

I just got this at auction for 600 bucks. It's slightly handled but in unfired condition and the box is also in like new condition. Any opinions? I've seen this same gun on some collector sites with the asking price of love 1000 bucks.

 

[Gary B]

Are you a shooter or collector? If you are a shooter, not a good buy. If you are a collector, you did pretty good.
I hate it when guns just sit around and look pretty.

 

[avatarshots]

Gary, I'm both when it comes to BP. I think I would probably fire it....just 1 shot though. The cylinder is 24kt gold plated so I wouldn't want to damage it

 

[avatarshots]

I also have the chance to pick up a unfired blue steel ROA for 500 bucks. If I get that, I'd shoot the living daylights outta it

 

[dickydalton]

I sold one just like it about a month ago for $550 because I wanted to shoot it too much and it wasn't a shooter. Look in the "Black Powder For Sale". I used the money to buy another one with less gold that I do shoot. You got a good deal if you don't shoot it.
Here's my shooter.

 

[avatarshots]

That's pretty! How does it compare to like a uberti pr pietta?

 

[dickydalton]

I don't have an Uberti 1860, just an 1862 Pocket Police. I do have a Pietta 1860 and the Colt is a lot nicer.

 

[CraigC]

If you are a shooter, not a good buy. If you are a collector, you did pretty good.

No difference. Nothing wrong with being the first one to break the cherry on a NIB "collectible". I put that in quotes because they're not really very collectible, from a financial perspective. I've been wanting to get one of the Robert E. Lee commemoratives to do a cartridge conversion on. When I do, it will be NIB.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Probably not a good monetary investment if your looking for a payout, but sounds like a fine quality of life investment to me

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Third Generation Colts don't have the same appeal and demand that the Second Generation Colts (early 1970's & early 1980's). I don't believe you can get a Colt factory letter on the Third Generation; you can on the Second Generation. That's what separates the two generations among serious Colt Collectors.

You paid market value for your revolver, and if not scratched at all, it will appreciate over the years.

 

[expat_alaska]

The pistol is very nice looking if one likes gold flavored cylinders.

Me: I like blued and case-colored pistols and oiled wood. Somewhat like the originals, but I do like "replicas" that are not original, there are many, and anyone on this forum can post many pics about Franken Colts.

I'm glad you like what you found.

It looks like a Tiffany pistol to me. I would have not been interested in it.

Glad you like your purchase.

Jim

 

[chuckr1952]

Nice pistol to add to the collection but I'm sure in would also shoot well if you go in that direction . It's just a decision , thats all .

 

[bannockburn]

avatarshots

Very nice looking pistol; I remember seeing them for sale when I was looking for a Colt Model 1860. Just a litle bit too flashy for my tastes so I went with the standard model.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I don't know about the value but do have a question.

How difficult would it be to find an extra cylinder? You could get a regular cylinder, shoot the snot out of it and put the gold plated cylinder in when you want to show it off at BBQs and stuff like that.

That's what i would do if possible.

 

[avatarshots]

That's what I was thinking too! Getting a regular blued cylinder if I shoot it.

 

[bannockburn]

Great idea! Dixie Gun Works has an Uberti Model 1860 cylinder for $75 and one made by Pietta for $91.50.

 

[Crawdad1]

I would just set it in a nice presentation case or a glass case and keep it oiled. There are plenty of other guns out there you can shoot and beat up. If you really want a Colt to shoot then look at the auction sites and find one being sold without a box or paperwork. Those Colts sell for less and no collector is looking for one. Less competition in the bidding war.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Do not shoot. A collector's gun once fired commands the price of a regular, non-collector run of the mill production gun.

 

[avatarshots]

DickyDalton what is the cylinder actually made of? I know it's gold plated, but I saw one listed as the cylinder being brass. That don't sound right to me for a cylinder

 

[dickydalton]

It's steel with gold plating, if it's original. I wouldn't shoot it and that's why I sold mine for a shooter.

 

[avatarshots]

That's what I thought

 

[Crawdad1]

Dickydalton has a real nice Colt, Bannockburn has a real nice Colt, now Avartarshots got a real nice Colt, man I'm started to get that itch again.