Signature Series 1860 sold for $3025... What?

[TDM]

I’ll just be content with my Pietta 1860.

 

[BriR]

I’ve got a Colt 1860 2nd Generation that I bought NIB a few years ago for $600, if I recall correctly. I just have never gotten around to firing it yet. Good to know that it’s just a Uberti branded as a Colt because now I really intend on shooting it.

 

[Boomerang]

All I can think of at that price is that it came with a tin of percussion caps!

 

[45D]

I’ve got a Colt 1860 2nd Generation that I bought NIB a few years ago for $600, if I recall correctly. I just have never gotten around to firing it yet. Good to know that it’s just a Uberti branded as a Colt because now I really intend on shooting it.

That's pretty much the case and even though it's finished with real color case hardening and decent bluing, it's still a '70's era production. It also has all of the problems typical of '70's manufacturers (as well as the short arbor).

Mike

 

[Bad Karma]

Never mind, I'm an idiot. That was an 1851, not a 1860. Dang, I need to wear my glasses more often.

Still, that’s an unusual serial number. You might wander around the Colt Collector’s forums and ask about it.

 

[A34]

That's pretty much the case and even though it's finished with real color case hardening and decent bluing, it's still a '70's era production. It also has all of the problems typical of '70's manufacturers (as well as the short arbor).

Mike

That's an old wives tale. The 3rd Gen or Signature series are basically an italian repro that Colt licensed. That is NOT true for the first and second series.

Attached is supporting documentation for inquiring minds.

 

[BriR]

Those are some great articles, A34. Thanks much for posting.

 

[45D]

Didn't look or download the "proof" because it really doesn't matter to me ( I'm not a collector and Colt should have been embarrassed by the functionality). Typically the worst revolvers that show up in the shop are used ASM's and 2nd Gen Colt's. The ( Colt) action parts look like they were cut out with a hatchet . . . even compared to original period parts. I'm working on 4 simultaneously right now and they are all really great looking revolvers but the action parts are stuck in the '70's.

These revolvers plus three s.s. Army 2nds that go with them are NIB or excellent condition. They all can be made into excellent shooters but right out of the box, they're typically a mess.

Mike

After looking at the "proof", I'll stay with what I thought. The story of "raw castings" from Italy is how they started . . . just like USFA did with the SAA copies.
Like I said, I deal with what whoever made so no matter how, who, when they were made, that is what I see and work with.

 

[A34]

Didn't look or download the "proof" because it really doesn't matter to me ( I'm not a collector and Colt should have been embarrassed by the functionality). Typically the worst revolvers that show up in the shop are used ASM's and 2nd Gen Colt's. The ( Colt) action parts look like they were cut out with a hatchet . . . even compared to original period parts. I'm working on 4 simultaneously right now and they are all really great looking revolvers but the action parts are stuck in the '70's.
View attachment 208755

These revolvers plus three s.s. Army 2nds that go with them are NIB or excellent condition. They all can be made into excellent shooters but right out of the box, they're typically a mess.

Mike

That's good to know! So, Colt made crappy stuff just like the Italians! Sad for a great company like them.

 

[45D]

That's good to know! So, Colt made crappy stuff just like the Italians! Sad for a great company like them.

Basically yes. That's kinda the amazing thing. They look great on the outside but they're junk on the inside.
In my picture above, notice how close the hole in the bolt is almost broken through at the top of it ( and that one is better than most). A lot of times it IS broken through . . . and folks want to use them for cowboy competition !!

 

[A34]

Basically yes. That's kinda the amazing thing. They look great on the outside but they're junk on the inside.
In my picture above, notice how close the hole in the bolt is almost broken through at the top of it ( and that one is better than most). A lot of times it IS broken through . . . and folks want to use them for cowboy competition !!

I've seen posts about people sending their "new" guns out to be tuned. Sometimes prior to even shooting them! Makes sense now!

 

[45D]

Yessir, a lot of customers have new purchases sent here first. Always easier to work on a new revolver than a used one with bad wear patterns.

Mike

 

[Loyalist Dave]

If he learns how much he overpayed for it the guy might not pay. He would get negative feedback and a non payer report to GunBroker. Better than taking a $2,500 butt kicking.

A foolish bidder, or did he decide at some point, "Nobody is getting this if I can't have it for $450.... mwa ha haaa! Some of these guys have lots of ways of manipulating emails. I bet he was just a spoiler..... him and the other guy who bid way too high... they may have a past bidding history......


LD

 

[Hawk54]

A foolish bidder, or did he decide at some point, "Nobody is getting this if I can't have it for $450.... mwa ha haaa! Some of these guys have lots of ways of manipulating emails. I bet he was just a spoiler.....

LD

You could be right and one of them was just running it up. It would be funny if they were both just running it up. We could then expect to see the pistol relisted shortly with a non paying notation.

 

[Coot]

I’ve got a Colt 1860 2nd Generation that I bought NIB a few years ago for $600, if I recall correctly. I just have never gotten around to firing it yet. Good to know that it’s just a Uberti branded as a Colt because now I really intend on shooting it.

A second generation Colt is not an Uberti. Functional guns produced in Italy carry Italian proof marks. Colt imported some castings from Italy and subcontracted the manufacture first to Navy Arms (71-72) and then to Iver Johnson. Frames, center pins nipples and screws were all made in the US. Colt will letter a 2nd gen as an authentic Colt. Shooting it will reduce its value but they are a joy to shoot.

 

[GYJ]

That's good to know! So, Colt made crappy stuff just like the Italians! Sad for a great company like them.

The problem is that what people 'think' they get with a Colt and what they actually get are often two very different things. It's only been in the last 10-15yrs, with pressure from USFA, that Colt has got their act together with their single action revolvers.

 

[Stantheman86]

I sold a modern pistol on GB , and the "winning bidder" was a liberal anti gunner "cyber terrorist" who would just win 100s of auctions, not pay and get banned. Their goal was just to disrupt the operation of GunBroker and cause mass inconvenience

Then they just open a new account from a dummy email , rinse and repeat. They may purchase some cheapo stuff first like hats or gun socks just to get some feedback so they're not a "new bidder "

This is why many Sellers require communication from 0 feedback bidders before bidding or will cancel bids from new accounts

 

[user 51067]

According to a friend of mine (who was a gunsmith who actually worked at the Iver Johnson plant assembling the Colts), they were allowed 28 minutes to assemble a revolver (in the white) before it was sent to be finished. Anything longer (29 minutes or more) the guns were broken back down into parts. My friend had piles of these "discarded parts" in his basement he had been given after the production was over (I was witness to the great piles of parts). From time to time he would take the time to assemble the occasional revolver from those piles and sell them with his own serial number. Those guns he hand assembled were absolutely PERFECT and are still shooting today!

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

According to a friend of mine (who was a gunsmith who actually worked at the Iver Johnson plant assembling the Colts), they were allowed 28 minutes to assemble a revolver (in the white) before it was sent to be finished. Anything longer (29 minutes or more) the guns were broken back down into parts. My friend had piles of these "discarded parts" in his basement he had been given after the production was over (I was witness to the great piles of parts). From time to time he would take the time to assemble the occasional revolver from those piles and sell them with his own serial number. Those guns he hand assembled were absolutely PERFECT and are still shooting today!

I'd love too see one!

 

[user 51067]

I believe my 'ol shootin' buddy still has a third model Dragoon that was made from said parts. I'll see if he let me snap some pictures.