SOLD Colt Crated Military 1861 Special Model Signature Series

[snoutsugar]

From the 90s, Colt wooden crate, serial numbered to the musket. 1861 Special Model Musket is unfired and a step up in quality. Includes bayonet, musket sling embossed with Colt logo, powder flask, bullet mould and bullet holder, owners manual from Colt.
Super nice musket and accessories. Furniture quality wooden crate with metal handles.
1850.00
I accept cards
[email protected]

 

[snoutsugar]

Partial trades accepted depending on.......

 

[PluggedNickel]

Wow, what a beauty! Probably worth it too considering the nice wood box and accoutrements! Not something you find every day. A bit of a rare bird I'd say!

 

[snoutsugar]

1600. Plus ship
Unreal deal
Unfired, step up quality
All the goodies
I take cards

 

[Henry Miles]

You have to see this one to believe how nice it is! My jaw dropped...

 

[PluggedNickel]

I can believe it. The pictures don’t do pieces like that justice. $1,600.00 is a steal for that beauty! I have been watching this thread, and can’t believe kit hasn’t sold. The accoutrements, bayonet, included and, the wood case are worth hundreds alone! I’d sure be proud to own it! I’m going to be jealous of who ever steps up and buys it!
This musket is a reissue, in other words, a true Colt, you can paper!
These re-issue guns parts where produced by Pedersoli, or Uberti IIRC, but put together in USA at Colt, fit and finish are outstanding, wood is upgrade as well. Makes my 1861 repro look like a POS!
Zonie can pipe in here. He would know for sure about parts source.
I gave my grandson my 1st Gen, 1902 ship date, Colt SAA, with paper from Colt, last Christmas. I’ve begun giving my collection to family, while I’m still alive, and they are young enough to enjoy them, and pass on to the great grand kids some day. Two years ago, I would have been showing Betty the pictures of this beauty, hint, hint! She has been so good to me over the years! Probably too good, as I amassed a substantial collection.
There has to be some younger members, who are still Colt collectors.
The OP has dropped the price considerably. At this price this beauty should have been gone already, and good luck finding another one once it is!
I may look this item up in my Colt book. The re-issues are all in it! My intent is to help the seller find a good home for this collector grade Colt!

 

[Zonie]

The only thing I can say about this Colt is the information given in the 3rd Edition of the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values published in 2003.

On page 109 in the Signature Colt area it shows 3 different guns.

1861 MUSKET .58 cal. perc, 40 in. round barrel with 2 barrel bands, all metal parts bright finished white steel, one piece oil finished walnut stock. Mfg. 1995-2002. 100% $900, 98% $810, 95% $730. Last MSR was $1,000.

1861 Musket Artillery Model- with 31.5 in. barrel with two barrel bands. Mfg. 1996-2002.
100% $900. 98% $810. 95% $730.
Add $100 for Colt 1861 bayonet with scabbard. Last MSR was $1,000.

1861 Musket 1 of 1,000- this edition is serialized, and includes wood presentation box. Disc. 2001.
100% $2,270, 98% $2,045, 95% $1835. Last MSR was $2165.

The Signature Series was built by the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company, a company fully authorized by Colt to produce Colt firearms. Colt quality assurance employees were assigned to inspect and approve all of the guns made by the company.

I should note that the book was published in 2003. Since that time, inflation has increased the price by 41% so $2,270 in 2003 would be $3,200 in 2019 dollars.

 

[PluggedNickel]

Thank you Zonie! A steal for sure. Blows my mind it is taking so long to sell it. It may be out of the price range for many, and re-enactors, may not want to use it, as it is truly collectible. But, the seller is more than likely taking a loss on this rare piece, and offering it at a more than fair price!
I did take a look at one of my Colt books, it had my Sesquicentennial SAA listed as 1964, Also Signature Series 1862 Navy Pocket pistol, and 1861 Navy I did not see the 1861 1 of 1,000 musket listed in my scan of all the listings. Since it had a 2001 Discontinued date, and my R. L. Wilson “Colt American Legend” was published in 1985, depending on first issue date, it would probably not be listed in my book.
These guns only increase in value over time. This would be a wonderful investment, or family heirloom, or just a great addition to any Colt collectors arsenal. I do get it that many Colt collectors specialize in one or more guns, such as SAA, 1911, Python, etc. in part because these guns aren’t cheap, and most of us aren’t rich. Still, there are black powder only collectors, that grab up Signature Series guns, this one being on the high end of that for sure, but at what a bargain!
Only other down side I see, is not everyone has the real estate for such a large case.
I just happen to have a room set aside for such things, with plenty of room to store/showcase this beauty, if the OP is looking for free storage till it sells! !
Man, I’ve got the lust for this one like I haven’t had in quit a while! Too bad I can’t take my toys with me, getting old sucks, but it beats the hell out of the only alternative!
Even Betty said WOW, when I told her about your Blue Book BP values listing!

 

[Zonie]

For those interested, this is what "FLAYDERMAN'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS... and their values", 9th ed., had to say about the "Colt 1861 Special Musket".

Model 1861 Special Musket. Manufactured 1861-65. Production usually estimated at 75,000. Recent information from government records indicates the total was 100,000 and that many of them supplied for state contracts; this will explain the numerous specimens encountered with H.J. (New Jersey) markings on both barrel and stock.
58 caliber. Single shot muzzleloader made on government contract for use in the Civil War. 40" barrel standard; three barrel bands.
Oil-stained walnut stock. Metal parts for most of the production were finished "in the white," but bluing was standard on nipples, rear sights , and various screws. Barrels fastened to forend by three oval, split-ring iron barrel bands, tightened into place by clamping screws at the bottom of each band. Late production models fitted with solid iron bands retained in place by long narrow springs inletted in the stock as on the standard M1861 contract musket.
No serial numbers were used in the standard production of the Model 1861 Musket. On the lockplate is stamped: U.S./COLT'S PT F.A. MFG CO/HARTFORD CT. The date of manufacture appears behind the hammer, e.g., 1861. An American eagle was marked on the bolster, and government inspector stamps are on several parts.
An unknown quantity, (likely sizeable) of Colt M1861 Muskets were sold on the civilian market during the Civil War.
Some of them had failed to pass the more stringent government inspections ye were definitely serviceable. Classified by Colt as "Second Class U.S. Rifle Muskets" all are identified by their lack of a distinctive eagle marking on the bolster and the usual U.S. government inspector markings. Colt had agreements wit the eminent New Yourk City military outfitters and arms dealers Schuyler, Hartley & Graham who sold 2,500 of these muskets to the state of Connecticut in July, 1863. Values Approximately the same as for the government-marked specimens.

 

[PluggedNickel]

My book "Black Powder Long Arms & Pistols, Reproductions & Replicas" by Dennis Adler does in fact have the same info on the Colt Muskets that Zonie listed, but not the values, pages 134 & 135 if you have the book or can look at one. Has a nice picture of the 1st model. I thought I had drooled over a picture of the Colt in one of my books. In fact the parts were manufactured by David Pedersoli, Dennis confirms, and assembled as Zonie noted. The Colt is a much nicer piece for sure than any Italian production piece, more like a custom shop, compared to a regular production. The pictures in Dennis's book gives great detail, as do all his photographs in his books. The lock is a real beauty, the barrel bands, hammer, trigger and guard are highly polished. Here are some pictures of another 1 of 1,000. The OP's looks like some of my collection that have never been touched without white gloves on, mine are all waxed with Renaissance Museum quality wax as well.

 

[Baxter]

The rifle-musket being offered for sale here is a Pedersoli-built Colt copy?

 

[PluggedNickel]

The rifle-musket being offered for sale here is a Pedersoli-built Colt copy?

It has Pedersoli parts, but as Zonie said, built/assembled, tuned, by Colt Black Powder Arms Company, with Colt quality control, and inspection. It is much nicer than a Pedersoli production piece, and that is saying a lot! It is also a 1 of 1,000 Colt Black Powder musket, again an upgrade from just the standard Signature Series musket. See Zonie’s post above! Side by side with my EuroArms 1861 Springfield, mine is an ugly duck, it is a beautiful swan! No comparison, not even close.

 

[Columbus]

Seems like all the answers on this are coming from Plugged Nickle but he's not the one with the gun. Snoutsugar, could you confirm exactly what this is? Comments from other than you imply it's "one of a thousand" but your serial number is 2070.

 

[snoutsugar]

Don't know about the gun. All I know is what it is.
It's a step up quality wise. Wood real nice. Solid and heavy. Crate is just under furniture quality.
Had a guy stop by a purchase the short colt Gamemaster and he seemed to like it. Might not be here long at my price.
He held the massive 6 gauge also. A solid gun and more fun then shooting men deserve.....

Sorry wish I could help on the crate gun. Best idea call Colt, say hey man, what's the deal.
Ya know, I'll check the owners manual, see if any info there ( doubt it but...)

 

[Columbus]

Partial trades accepted depending on.......

What are you looking for in trade?

 

[snoutsugar]

Oh please....its not a 1 of 1000
Good grief......
It's a crated musket of better quality. All I know.

 

[Baxter]

It's not my intent to to be a PITA about this, but my impression is that this "Colt" rifle-musket appears to me to be a Pedersoli rifle-musket, and a very fine copy of the Colt-built item. The asking price may be, and probably is, a fair price for this particular rifle-musket and kit.

 

[PluggedNickel]

Seems like all the answers on this are coming from Plugged Nickle but he's not the one with the gun. Snoutsugar, could you confirm exactly what this is? Comments from other than you imply it's "one of a thousand" but your serial number is 2070.

Very true Columbus. I am perhaps wrong about it being 1 of 1,000. I've been wrong before don't ya know! (insert snarky remark from 8 bore here!) The crate itself is a lot fancier than pictures of 1 of 1,000 I have seen online. Zonie is correct the 1 of 1,000 muskets will have it engraved on the barrel, just forward of the rear sight on the right side looking forward, and behind the rear barrel band as seen in the pictures I posted above. Here is a picture of the 1 of 1,000 crates I have seen online offered for sale. They go with the 1 of 1,000 in the pictures I posted above. If the OP's musket is not 1 of 1,000, I can't help but wonder who made the crate/box? On closer inspection it does not have the Colt Logo on the inside or outside lid. And the musket in the pictures above and below does have a 0193 serial number, which would lead one to believe 1 of 1,000 started with number 0000 or 0001, not number 2,000 or 2,001.
Anyone, could have had the beautiful case made, and had the plate made that says Colt Model 1861 Musket Serial #2070.
It sounds like the OP has a seller for this fine musket. I hope so. And, Columbus is correct the OP did not claim this is 1 of 1,000 at any time. Nor did he post a picture of the engraving stating same.
The musket for sale is still worth every penny IMHO. If not 1 of 1,000 it still is beautiful, and with box and accoutrements at a fair price. Not the windfall value of worth almost double the asking price perhaps. But still one I'd love to own.
Thank you for noticing the 0193 serial on the picture of 1 of 1,000 I posted Columbus. I didn't make that connection to the 2070 serial on the one of sale. Maybe because I wasn't considering purchasing it.
I've caused enough trouble, so I'm going back down my rabbit hole, I should post less often. Stick to topics I know a modicum about (none in the opinion of some!) Good day, and good luck to the OP, I do hope he finds it a good home. George

 

[8 BORE]

Time to sell the gun

 

[PluggedNickel]

The rifle-musket being offered for sale here is a Pedersoli-built Colt copy?

I believe you may be right. I also, noticed the 1 of 1,000 has in the white rear sight.