Need advise!!! Colt 1860 serial #s fake or legit

[J.B. Arthur]

As other forum members state some of the restamped serial numbers on this pistol look wrong, a look at the bore will verify it the barrel section is actually the real deal & shootable.
You can buy an honest 1860 for the same money or less.

I shoot original Colt & Remington revolvers because their gain twist rifling produces the best accuracy.
Modern production C&B Colts including the 1860s don't have the same style rifling, they have slower twist & shallower depth rifling.

That goes for the 2nd generation C series as well?

 

[Relic shooter]

That goes for the 2nd generation C series as well?

Yep

 

[J.B. Arthur]

Original Colts had gain twist rifling the replicas don’t.

Does anyone have any photos of what gain twist rifling looks like? Edit found info

 

[lonewoofs]

Anyone??? Bump

Might post this on the colt forum.com. Guys have been helpful/ knowledgeable with my questions.

Anyone??? Bump

 

[J.B. Arthur]

Might post this on the colt forum.com. Guys have been helpful/ knowledgeable with my questions.

I did yesterday and didn't get the first reply. Not a one

 

[J.B. Arthur]

Well, in your OP, quoted below, you asked for thoughts, and that is what you got, at least from me. Go ahead and do whatever it is that suits your fancy, as it really doesn’t impact me, other than potentially driving up the ‘price’ of originals in a questionable state (questionable state is the reason for your OP, correct?), thus upping the value of any original and unmolested samples I (or others) have for either my heirs or I when the time comes to sell, but honestly not a concern. I say go for it, it’s only your money.

Please let us see photographs when your new purchase arrives.

UPDATE! I bit the bullet boys!. With the help and guidance from you fine fellas I made a purchase. Seems like the inscription on that backstrap from ole A.J. Kindig Jr gonna remain in Texas for now. Haha. I slipped on a banana peel and just won a NIB 2nd gen stainless Colt 1860 (F-1210) for $750!!! Absolutely I'll post photos when it arrives! Serial is high near the end of the run looks like

 

[SDSmlf]

2nd gen stainless Colt 1860 (F-1210)

Believe those were only made for a year two in the early 1980s. Remember someone who had one that he claimed was slicked up by Goons Guns Works (AKA Mike or @45D) and it turned out to be quite the shooter. Maybe he will comment on your purchase.

 

[jslamin]

Has anyone ever seen a legit 1860 Army with a steel backstrap and brass trigger guard? Not me. I have never seen a cylinder like that on a 1860 Army Colt.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

Believe those were only made for a year two in the early 1980s. Remember someone who had one that he claimed was slicked up by Goons Guns Works (AKA Mike or @45D) and it turned out to be quite the shooter. Maybe he will comment on your purchase.

I tell ya im tickled to death. Can't believe I got it for 750.00. But from what little I have read on em it's out of the serial number

Believe those were only made for a year two in the early 1980s. Remember someone who had one that he claimed was slicked up by Goons Guns Works (AKA Mike or @45D) and it turned out to be quite the shooter. Maybe he will comment on your purchase.

My serial is past the last serial in this photo. Did the serial look up on Colt and it's not bringing it up.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

going on this they were made for four months Jan-april in 1982?

 

[45D]

Has anyone ever seen a legit 1860 Army with a steel backstrap and brass trigger guard? Not me. I have never seen a cylinder like that on a 1860 Army Colt.

It's not together but I got pictures of the first one I got to inspect.

Mike

 

[oldguy24]

I have no idea, but, I recently bought an 1858 Remmy that most likely had a new serial number stamped into it (looks like factory), several period correct "R" stamps, Marked as E. Remington & Sons on top of barrel and I'm 100% sure it is an Italian repo. On your gun, it has a bottom of the backstrap cut for a stock, but a 3 screw frame, and I can't tell if the recoil shields are also cut for a stock. If you like it, buy it, but I will say that right now there is a genuine 1860 Army with a bid of $810 with 36 minutes left. Seller says fully function and comes with a Colt letter.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

I have no idea, but, I recently bought an 1858 Remmy that most likely had a new serial number stamped into it (looks like factory), several period correct "R" stamps, Marked as E. Remington & Sons on top of barrel and I'm 100% sure it is an Italian repo. On your gun, it has a bottom of the backstrap cut for a stock, but a 3 screw frame, and I can't tell if the recoil shields are also cut for a stock. If you like it, buy it, but I will say that right now there is a genuine 1860 Army with a bid of $810 with 36 minutes left. Seller says fully function and comes with a Colt letter.

@oldguy24 Hey you got a link???

 

[John Smith IV]

Unless there is ROCK SOLID provenance on that inscription, it's meaningless. And that engraving all looks brand new. The refinish and the "changed" cylinder engraving (assuming that's even the original cylinder) have killed any collectors value this gun may have had. Even if this pistol started life as an untouched 19thC Colt, it's not worth ANYHTING near $2500 in it's current state. Save you money and buy a nice 2nd Generation Colt and shoot the heck out of it.

It appears that the seller, Collectors Firearms, does not provide any history on this piece on their web site. And they are not exactly known for their down-to-earth pricing.

That is true. It's like a museum, where EVERYTHING is for sale, BUT Caveat emptor definitely applies.

 

[RMFnLA]

Looks contemporary as in period correct for 1866 or do you mean modern? This isn't my gun so don't know if screws are metric or not. For me this gun would never sit in a gun safe. It would be run though it's paces, then be ready to be mustered Into service in short order. I'm interested in this Colt due to the engraved cylinder and the inscription on the backstrap a.d the date of Oct 21 1866. I live in Jackson County Indiana where worlds first train robbery took place Oct 6 1866 two weeks before backstrap was engraved.. IF it was engraved then

The borders on the cylinder look to me like they were done with an electric pen.

If you want a shooter I’d go with a 2nd Gen Colt.

Beautiful guns and a whole lot less money.

 

[Relic shooter]

Does anyone have any photos of what gain twist rifling looks like? Edit found info?

This is bore photo of an original unfired 1858 Remington NMA, not the best quality photo but perhaps my description will help.
Both Colt & Remington used progressive twist rifling.
Twist in the rifling where it meets the cylinder is straight allowing the ball or slug to seat & stabilize before engaging the aggressive twist about a third of a way down the bore.
Excellent design for competitive shooters who favor tight groups.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

This is bore photo of an original unfired 1858 Remington NMA, not the best quality photo but perhaps my description will help.
Both Colt & Remington used progressive twist rifling.
Twist in the rifling where it meets the cylinder is straight allowing the ball or slug to seat & stabilize before engaging the aggressive twist about a third of a way down the bore.
Excellent design for competitive shooters who favor tight groups.

Hey thank you much for the photo and description. Much appreciated. Up to the cylinder straight on through to the forcing cone you mean? Hey you wouldn't happen to have a photo of other end of that barrel?

 

[Relic shooter]

Hey thank you much for the photo and description. Much appreciated. Up to the cylinder straight on through to the forcing cone you mean? Hey you wouldn't happen to have a photo of other end of that barrel?

I'll be peddling this 58 Remington soon so will try to take & post some better quality photos but doubt they will be Ansel Adams grade photos.

 

[SDSmlf]

I'll be peddling this 58 Remington soon so will try to take & post some better quality photos but doubt they will be Ansel Adams grade photos.

Just make sure they are black and white photos.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

I'll be peddling this 58 Remington soon so will try to take & post some better quality photos but doubt they will be Ansel Adams grade photos.

It slipped my mind you said it was a Remington. Got that Colt thing swirling in my mind and guess I thought you could just yank that barrel off and take a Ansel Adam's grade photo of just what were talking about here.