Antique Colt revolver - Need info - The Firearms Forum

dino213aa · 05-15-2006, 11:12 AM

I've got an antique colt revolver that's been in the family for a while. I've been trying to get some more info about it but haven't been having much luck. I whipped up a little webpage with some pictures of it since the images I took are too large to post on here or email. Here's the link:

Colt revolver photos

Here's what I do know about the revolver.

1) It looks very much like an 1851 Navy. I called Colt about it, and even though they don't have any records for serial number 167557 (apparently this number falls in a range of missing records), they estimate that it was probably made in late 1863. As you see in the photos, on the cylinder the patent number is "7557". I can't find any information on this patent number- but then again I haven't gotten my hands on a good book about the subject either.

2) Unfortunatly it was returned to Colt by a family member in the late 1950's to be reworked. It's a shame since it would probably be worth a lot more now if it hadn't. Regardless, according to Colt, this reworking is indicated by the "&" on the right side of the trigger guard.

3) Because of the reflection on the barrel, some of the images make the revolver look like it has bluing on it. This is an illusion made by my camera and there is no bluing on the barrel whatsoever.

4) According to several family accounts, when this revolver was returned to Colt in the late 50's, Colt tried to purchase the weapon back because "it was such a rare specimen of their product." While unfortunatly I don't have the letter from Colt stating this (and therefor cannot use it in valuation), the fact that several family members remember seeing the letter and discussing the offer leads me to believe that it actually did happen.

That being said, if this piece truly is rare, then how and why? Also, it is unknown whether the offer was made officially by Colt, or by an employee who was just using Colt letterhead.

Any help you all can give would be greatly appreciated.

inplanotx · 05-15-2006, 05:00 PM

Well, you definately need to find a Colt expert and have this appraised in person. What I can tell you is that the

36CA on the side of the trigger stands for 36 Caliber. The '7557' on the cylinder is not a patent number, but is the last four digits of the serial number thereby matching the cylinder to the frame. This may have been done during the rework to keep all parts intact.

polishshooter · 05-15-2006, 08:51 PM

Gosh I wish AntiqueDoc was still around....it just looks like a SWEET Navy to me...have you tried to email the pics to Dixie?

They would give a fair appraisal, they know their stuff, especially on CW Colts. It might even be worth to call them and make an appointment and take a summer trip to Union City just to show it to them!

www.dixiegunworks.com

Ross95966 · 05-15-2006, 11:37 PM

The patent 7557 was issued to Nelson Barlow of St. Louis, Mo. on 13 Aug 1850 for a friction clutch.
Sorry, not much help.
Factory reconditioned arms have a status of their own, and are not as poorly regarded by collectors as other Bubba jobs.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

RJay · 06-03-2006, 09:44 PM

Look at the nipples on the cylinder and also look at what can seen in front of the cylinder? Now look at rest of the firearm. This firearm has been refinished or something isn't kosher.

RJay · 06-04-2006, 11:03 PM

My Bad, Imissed the part about being sent back to colt for refinishing, it stills seems odd they would only do half a job?

05-15-2006, 11:12 AM	#1
dino213aa Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1	Antique Colt revolver - Need info I've got an antique colt revolver that's been in the family for a while. I've been trying to get some more info about it but haven't been having much luck. I whipped up a little webpage with some pictures of it since the images I took are too large to post on here or email. Here's the link: Colt revolver photos Here's what I do know about the revolver. 1) It looks very much like an 1851 Navy. I called Colt about it, and even though they don't have any records for serial number 167557 (apparently this number falls in a range of missing records), they estimate that it was probably made in late 1863. As you see in the photos, on the cylinder the patent number is "7557". I can't find any information on this patent number- but then again I haven't gotten my hands on a good book about the subject either. 2) Unfortunatly it was returned to Colt by a family member in the late 1950's to be reworked. It's a shame since it would probably be worth a lot more now if it hadn't. Regardless, according to Colt, this reworking is indicated by the "&" on the right side of the trigger guard. 3) Because of the reflection on the barrel, some of the images make the revolver look like it has bluing on it. This is an illusion made by my camera and there is no bluing on the barrel whatsoever. 4) According to several family accounts, when this revolver was returned to Colt in the late 50's, Colt tried to purchase the weapon back because "it was such a rare specimen of their product." While unfortunatly I don't have the letter from Colt stating this (and therefor cannot use it in valuation), the fact that several family members remember seeing the letter and discussing the offer leads me to believe that it actually did happen. That being said, if this piece truly is rare, then how and why? Also, it is unknown whether the offer was made officially by Colt, or by an employee who was just using Colt letterhead. Any help you all can give would be greatly appreciated. --> Last edited by dino213aa; 05-15-2006 at 01:16 PM.. Reason: fixed grammatical errors

05-15-2006, 05:00 PM	#2
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Antique Colt revolver - Need info Well, you definately need to find a Colt expert and have this appraised in person. What I can tell you is that the 36CA on the side of the trigger stands for 36 Caliber. The '7557' on the cylinder is not a patent number, but is the last four digits of the serial number thereby matching the cylinder to the frame. This may have been done during the rework to keep all parts intact. __________________

05-15-2006, 08:51 PM	#3
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,863	Re: Antique Colt revolver - Need info Gosh I wish AntiqueDoc was still around....it just looks like a SWEET Navy to me...have you tried to email the pics to Dixie? They would give a fair appraisal, they know their stuff, especially on CW Colts. It might even be worth to call them and make an appointment and take a summer trip to Union City just to show it to them! www.dixiegunworks.com __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.

05-15-2006, 11:37 PM	#4
Ross95966 Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Darkest California Posts: 30	Re: Antique Colt revolver - Need info The patent 7557 was issued to Nelson Barlow of St. Louis, Mo. on 13 Aug 1850 for a friction clutch. Sorry, not much help. Factory reconditioned arms have a status of their own, and are not as poorly regarded by collectors as other Bubba jobs. Cheers from Darkest California, Ross

06-03-2006, 09:44 PM	#5
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Antique Colt revolver - Need info Look at the nipples on the cylinder and also look at what can seen in front of the cylinder? Now look at rest of the firearm. This firearm has been refinished or something isn't kosher. __________________ RonJames

06-04-2006, 11:03 PM	#6
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Antique Colt revolver - Need info My Bad, Imissed the part about being sent back to colt for refinishing, it stills seems odd they would only do half a job? __________________ RonJames