Colt Navy 1851 Question

[Ranger94]

Hello Everyone - I inherited from my father an original Colt Navy 1851. It has all matching serial numbers. He purchased it around 1960, and used to shoot in in the 60s & 70s. It has not been shot since 1970. Generally speaking it is in good shape, but it is deeply pitted. Please take a look at the picture.

My question is:

Should I get it refinished, or will that destroy the value? I do NOT intend to shoot it (I have a Ruger Old Army for that purpose), but it does kill me to look at a piece of history that is pitted...

Please let me know your opinions.


Thanks!

Ranger94

 

[Grenadier1758]

I think the refinishing will reduce the value.

 

[Treestalker]

By original do you mean a genuine antique? The gun in the picture is almost certainly a reproduction, judging by the finish, which may be a refinish on an original gun, which is already affecting it's value. If it is a repro, I'd say refinish that thing and shoot the daylights out of it!. You may find it a pleasant alternative to your Old Army. If you truly do not want to shoot it and it is Original, then other folks here can direct your future efforts. Good luck!

 

[Desperate Lee]

Yes i would not refinish an original. Now i would clean it up and oil the p_ss out of it. Rubbing hard to make sure i got in to the pits to stop ol' Mister Rust. Another thing i would do is, if it is in good shape and safe, is shoot that sucker. Thats what they were made for.
DL

 

[Eutycus]

I agree with Desperate Lee except maybe the "shooting it part". But that's just me. I would just clean it up and stop the rust.Then make a beautiful wallhanger and be prepared to get plenty of compliments.

 

[.44 associate]

I recently went through the same decision-making process. I decided that, at least on a navy revolver that is not particularly rare, doesn't have any real provenance, does not carry much or any of the original finish, and doesn't have much collector value, I would refinish it and shoot it.

 

[Juice Jaws]

From the picture looks like a reproduction, but you know more about its history than I do. I would follow your father's foot steps and shoot the heck out of it.

 

[Desperate Lee]

Thats what i'm talking about.
DL

 

[hawkeye2]

Refinishing it will seriously reduce its value. It's difficult to tell without closer photos but it looks like it may have been reblued many years ago and even so I would recommend against further refinishing. Polishing won't remove the existing pitting, only minor surface pits. Clean it with plenty of WD-40 and 4 ought steel wool. Some recommend brass wool but I have never seen any damage on metal or wood from steel wool. The pitting is part of its history and isn't bad for a 170 year old Colt. It's rare to find one that nice. Shoot it if you wish, Sam intended them to be used. Use a light load, clean well and lube after.

If it is a repro I'm of the opinion they aren't worth the cost of refinishing unless it has sentimental value. We would be able to tell from close up shots of the markings. It does seem to have the correct stamp below the front edge of the cylinder but some copies had that too.

 

[nhmoose]

I would regret removing any marks my father made on the gun. They are part of the history whether an original gun or a reproduction your father made the marks.

 

[Phil Coffins]

It’s already been refinished so you can’t hurt it. If an original Colt it may be restored for a lot of money and if a replica you can buy a new one for the cost of the color case hardening that would be done on the frame, hammer and loading lever.

 

[Buzzard II]

1) If it is in fact an original 1851, clean it and display it. 2) If it's a repro with sentimental value, also clean it and display it. 3)Buy a new repro and shoot the heck out of it and create your own 1851 with your sentimental value. Good shooting!
Bob

 

[Tom A Hawk]

First determine its origin by serial number and manufacturer's markings. It does not appear to be an original Colt.

 

[Gun Tramp]

Screw slots.

 

[TFoley]

A lot of early reproductions were stamped underneath the barrel where they were hidden by the loading lever. Also, MOST Italian proof marks are found on the RIGHT-hand side of the frame. The side you haven't shown us. Yet.

 

[Ranger94]

Here are more pics.

 

[SDSmlf]

What is stamped on top of barrel (the flat)? Photograph, please.

 

[Zonie]

If it is a true Colt 1851, the top f the barrel should be stamped:
"ADDRESS COL. SAM COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA"

I see it has the correct, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame.

If it is a true Cole 1851, I recommend that the only thing that should be done is to rub any loose rust that might exist off of the parts and reoil them to protect them.

 

[russellshaffer]

How many reproductions have all of the separate parts serial numbered? It does cost money.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

What Zonie, SDSmlf and others have written about the gun being an antique Colt is important. In my opinion the gun is a refinished Civil War era production Colt 1851 Navy that was made in 1861 according to the Colt website serial number lookup.
https://colt.com/serial-lookup
In addition to what Zonie wrote and what you said about all matching serial numbers; it would be nice to know if a matching serial number is visible on the bottom of the wedge. Due to refinishing, markings are often gone or very hard to read. Wedges sometimes got replaced or swapped. Also, the loading lever flat should have numbers; are these visible?

Agree with others that refinishing will hurt the value. Have collected Colt's for well over 40 years and even the very best quality refinishing will greatly reduce a Colt's value.

If the Colt's current condition is how you inherited it from your father my opinion is to honor him by preserving it and not refinishing it.