Should I or should I not?

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I was also in the same boat. It's a long story but I recieved a LeMatt revolver as a gift from a family friend that was unfired. I haven't shot it yet but I do plan on it. Yes it would be worth more u fired, but I'm never gonna sell it so I know I'll get more enjoyment out of it by firing it than just looking at it every now and again insode my safe. Just my 2 cents.

Wow, and I thought temptation was laid before me! A LeMat would have a sirens song that I could not resist.

 

[nkbj]

That's a pretty tough call to make.
I'd shoot it for you if'n it'd make you feel better.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Here are some pics.
Forgot to mention it has a fluted cylinder.

 

[M. De Land]

I acquired a Colt 1860 Army today. Now when I say Colt, I mean a reproduction gun made by Uberti for Colt that is a faithful reproduction. No proof marks or advisories stamped all over it. Never fired, matching serials, still in original wrapping and original oil that has become goo. As an aside, I didn't know the originals had steel back straps until today.
Anyway, I am torn between making it a safe queen or actually shooting it. Seriously I don't know what to do. If I shoot it I figure it will loose a hundred or so dollars in value.
Seriously, what would you do and why?

It's a reproduction which means tens of thousands of them are in existence surpassing the original Colt numbers by a lot,,,,,,,,,,,,,, SHOOT it for Pete's sake !

 

[awreis]

Wow, and I thought temptation was laid before me! A LeMat would have a sirens song that I could not resist.

Yea. The friend I got it from was really into the civil war and had a few different replica firearms and the LeMatt was the one I got. Like I said before, I am for sure going to shoot it because I never plan to sell it so value diminish is not a factor for me.

 

[tom in nc]

Knowing it's a re-pop, I'd shoot it.

 

[Oldcorps]

My wife, then my son gets my guns. I'll shoot'em.

 

[Gee Dog]

Did you buy it just to look at?

Life is short, shoot the darn thang. In addition to having fun you’ll have one less 21st Century issue to deal with.

The backstrap is real steel, blued.

 

[Bad Karma]

Here are some pics.
Forgot to mention it has a fluted cylinder, the oriental way.

That box and the gun are in far above average condition IMO. I’d give some consideration to selling it unfired and buying a new Uberti to shoot. Collectors do like the fluted 1860’s and given the excellent condition, would pay a premium.


BTW, that gun is not a “reproduction made by Uberti”. Some of the castings, cylinder, back straps, and barrels came as rough forgings from Uberti but they were bored, rifled and finished in the Iver Johnson factory under Colt’s supervision to Colt’s specifications. As such it is a Colt’s revolver and can be papered with a factory letter.

 

[CyrusP]

Chute it! Life’s too short not to.

 

[Trigger]

I can't afford to buy guns that I'm not using. I only have 3 for hunting.

Your collecting them?

Buy 2 of everything.. that way you use one and save one.

 

[Smokerr]

I fell into a deal on an unmentionable gun some years back. All matching SN. In that case the issue was that parts were known to break. You8 could replace the part(s) but then no longer matching. I never shot it, I sold it to a collector. I had got it for a shooter price.

I don't buy guns I don't shoot.

That said, I respect those who elect to not shoot and keep a pristine example. I figure the owner has to weight the pro and con and then decide though it helps to have perspective given here.

 

[awreis]

I fell into a deal on an unmentionable gun some years back. All matching SN. In that case the issue was that parts were known to break. You8 could replace the part(s) but then no longer matching. I never shot it, I sold it to a collector. I had got it for a shooter price.

I don't buy guns I don't shoot.

That said, I respect those who elect to not shoot and keep a pristine example. I figure the owner has to weight the pro and con and then decide though it helps to have perspective given here.

I would have to agree woth you 100% on this. I'm in the exact same boat. If I buy a gun, I have full intentions to shoot it. But not everyone is in the same boat. There are some that are art pieces but those are not the ones I'm in the market for.

 

[bpalbee]

I acquired a Colt 1860 Army today. Now when I say Colt, I mean a reproduction gun made by Uberti for Colt that is a faithful reproduction. No proof marks or advisories stamped all over it. Never fired, matching serials, still in original wrapping and original oil that has become goo. As an aside, I didn't know the originals had steel back straps until today.
Anyway, I am torn between making it a safe queen or actually shooting it. Seriously I don't know what to do. If I shoot it I figure it will loose a hundred or so dollars in value.
Seriously, what would you do and why?

I think a gun that's well loved looks beautiful in all states of wear. Even old mountain rifles with rawhide stock repairs and brazed up broken hammers are beautiful in their own right, showing a life of hardship and adventure. I think this is a different kind of beauty from the pristine but it really comes down to what ruffles your undergarments

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Thanks for the additional information. How would I find out what it's worth?

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Did you buy it just to look at?

Maybe I should have mentioned it this earlier.....I didn’t buy it. It was a gift of appreciation from a friend for saving his wife's life during an emergent medical situation. He said to me that I could keep it unfired, shoot it or sell it he won't mind what I choose. So I have his "blessing" what ever I do with it.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

"All the percussion models made from 1971 to 1982 either by Colt, or its subcontractors are regarded as authentic Colt revolvers and not Italian replicas."

Interesting.....

 

[Rawhide67]

I have a custom built 45 cal sante fe Hawken that I have never fired. I didn't have it built, but it looks like it wasn't fired before I got it. It has Bob Rollers lock and triggers, and a Bill Large 4J barrel. It's basically in pristine condition and I cant bring myself to shoot it.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

Consider if it were an unmentionable, like a popular gun that rhymes with "clock", my guess is everyone, myself too, would shoot it without a second thought.

If this is some sick way of you saying "rock" then just go ahead and say it haha

 

[ernbar]

Guns were made not to be looked at but to shoot. I have some pretty scarce WWI & II unmentionables and they get their limited range time now and then. Just use proper loads and good cleaning practices and enjoy using it.