Seating Lead In 1851 Navy

[Anneman]

Is that any help?

 

[nick_1]

looks even more italian...

 

[nick_1]

people are interesting. We have folks on here that buy new guns and try to make them look old and then we have folks buying old guns trying to make them look new.....

 

[M. De Land]

I bought 4 boxes assuming the .375 would work

Buy a .380 diameter ball mold from Lee and melt down your four boxes of .375's and mold some .380's.

 

[Anneman]

looks even more italian...

Is it the mustache?

 

[nick_1]

no, it's the new blueing and the crisp lettering.

 

[Anneman]

no, it's the new blueing and the crisp lettering.

Sorry about that. It must be Italian

 

[nick_1]

it certainly looks it. I would have a real expert check it out..

 

[KingOfKindling]

Yeah, I don't know what that gun is, but it's not an original colt.

Serial #18511. Sounds like someone was having fun.

 

[Anneman]

it certainly looks it. I would have a real expert check it out..

Already have

 

[D Yager]

And what was the conclusion? I would look under the loading lever and the trigger guard and see if there are any proof marks. Another check would be the thread pitch on the grip screws, metric threads equals imported in most cases. ASM for a while did use US standard screw pitches.

 

[Trev]

I just found a London Navy Serial Number 39935 and I'm planning on doing the same thing

I'd like it if you posted that one before and after or during your cleaning and reblueing, I might learn something.

 

[bpalbee]

This thread is making me feel dizzy

 

[nick_1]

Why would you ruin the patina and value of an original.

 

[maillemaker]

There are two different conversations going on here.

First: Chamber size. It's super easy to measure on a revolver. Remove the cylinder from the gun, and use a pair of calipers to take multiple measurements of the chamber mouths. You can get a cheap set of calipers good enough for this kind of work from Harbor Freight. You don't need a set of Mitutoyos.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-composite-digital-caliper-63586.html

Second: What kind of gun is this, original or reproduction. Please take several in-focus photos of the firearm from the top and bottom, showing the entire pistol in the frame. Please include in-focus close-ups of any and all markings.

From what I can see, the finish is astounding for an original revolver. Even if the gun has been refinished, the stampings, like the name scroll on the top of the barrel, are still super crisp and deep, which would not be so if the gun had been re-polished.

In addition, the frame and loading lever still shows brilliant case hardening colors.

I am not an expert on historical firearms. But this gun is in such immaculate condition that if it was an original it should not be shot.

I suspect what you have is a second-generation Colt, similar to this one:

https://www.riverjunction.com/3662

The above gun is said to be made in the 1970s, and based on these serial numbers, that would seem correct, as it would for yours:

http://proofhouse.com/colt/1851navy.htm

 

[nick_1]

if its an original its the most pristine original I have ever seen. I am not an expert in antique firearms but I do have an 80year old and a 90 year old rifle. Additionally I work on old houses all the time and that does not look like 175yr old wood or metal to me.

 

[D Yager]

Agreed, it is in immaculate condition for an antique. I would like to see under the loading lever and under the grip frame by the trigger plus the front of the cylinder.

 

[Anneman]

Why would you ruin the patina and value of an original.

I could be wrong, but the gun is over 150 yrs old and has been used extensively,so I don't think it's going to lose any value. If so, how much? At best right now it might be worth $2,000?

 

[Anneman]

I could be wrong, but the gun is over 150 yrs old and has been used extensively,so I don't think it's going to lose any value. If so, how much? At best right now it might be worth $2,000?

Plus,I thought it would be fun to shoot . That's why I got it

 

[FishDFly]

Hmmmmm......a lesson learned to not make assumptions where BP muzzleloaders are involved, I think.

Yeep.