more pics of the late 1800s Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

[funkman]

more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

I let the pistol sit in naval jelly for 24 hours and some of the rust did come off. I have it sitting in it again but before I put it back in it's pink bath, I took some pics of it for all interested. Looking at it and comparing with antique gun websites it definately seems to be a Colt New Line 22 caliber pistol that was manufactured anywhere from 1860's to 1870's. I will write to Colt and see if they can positively ID it from the pics I will send and the serial number stamped on the bottom. I hope the naval jelly bath will loosen enough rust to get some more words visible but we'll see.
Anyway take a look at the pics and I will post more when I take it out of jelly that it has been sitting in since Friday afternoon.

HH
Funkman

 

[Kas]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Man that's way COOL!

Hope it comes out good for you.
HH
Ken

 

[EARTHWORKS]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Nice: its getting better!!!
Earthworks....

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Ain't that sumthin!

Nice... and WOW!

 

[Mona Lisa]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

I had to duck...watch where you're pointing that thing!!

I missed the story on this one. Where did you find it, Funkman?

 

[txkickergirl]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

awesome and it looks like it is starting to clean up nicely

 

[privet12]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Are you sure that its not a little later looks like it has a lot of nickel in it more like stainless steel and there is no pitting like there should be. How did you come up with the Colt manufacture .
But it is a neat find when ever it was made.

 

[Wasabi]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Wow,
Cool finds, I don't get much into relics, but I like the gun.

 

[kenb]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

For $300.00 colt will give you all they've got on an ID. They lost alot of records due to a fire for certain years but if its one of there's they can let you know. Check it out here. http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/historical.asp

kenb

 

[kenb]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Privet12's got a point the frame is relatively rust free, while the rest of the gun is pretty rusted up. May not be as old as it appears.

kenb

 

[funkman]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

It is possible that it is a more modern replica. I will send something to Colt and also have send an email to an antique gun dealer who will take at look at this post and tell me more about it. When I get any info back from either source I will fill you all in.

Mona,
It was found at the site where I have dug up at four pre-1900 coins, the oldest being 1811. There were also a few 1800's era buttons at this site one of them a Civil War cuff button. There have been quite a few artifacts that this site has produced and I know there are more there. Just have to find them. AT first I thought it was a cap gun but the members here suggested that it was real and upon closer inspection have found the words "22 CAL" stamped under the cylinder.

Thanks for the replies all.

Funkman

 

[funkman]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Privet12,

Here is a link to a website that gave me the ID on what I think I have. The shape and some of the features on the pistol on the website match what I have on mine. Take a comparison look and let me know if you think I am correct in my ID. I don't know much about guns and all the help I can get would be appreciated.

http://www.ben-n-terrys.com/bth0017.htm

Thanks
Funkman

 

[twister]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Very nice find, Congrats!!

HH Twister

 

[McDigger]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

very nice !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bootstrap vinn]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol

Great find funkman!I've never found a pistol other than capguns.Every time I see one that someone has found my first thought is that it was used to commit some sort of crime.If you think about it a gun is quite a heavy and large object to lose and not realize it.Just a thought,congrats, Bootstrap

 

[funkman]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

Well I got an email back from a collector and he verified that it was made in 1874 but he also informed me that I ruined a collectable "dug up" revolver. Here is what I got back from him:

Well, you should have asked for an opinion from an antique arms expert,
prior to taking action. As now the deed is done, and you have RUINED an
otherwise very collectable " dug -up" Colt. The beauty of relic " dug-ups "
is to leave them alone, their character is how they developed in the ground
or creek bed, or wherever, lost to time. Your naval jelly RUINED the find,
and you lost ALL collectable value. It in fact is a Colt .22 New Line
revolver, and with Serial Number 7720 it was made in 1874. Before you began
the jelly work, it was worth about $250 -350, to collectors of "dug-ups",
now it's worth $50, the charm is gone.

So now I and hopefully others will heed his warning and not ruin a collectable piece of history by trying to get rust and other junk off of it. I assumed that the rust would have made it unwanted by a collector but I am wiser now and know to just leave well enough alone and keep it as is. MAybe I will do the same with coins.

HH

Funkman

 

[Dimeman]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

Well I got an email back from a collector and he verified that it was made in 1874 but he also informed me that I ruined a collectable "dug up" revolver. Here is what I got back from him:

Well, you should have asked for an opinion from an antique arms expert,
prior to taking action. As now the deed is done, and you have RUINED an
otherwise very collectable " dug -up" Colt. The beauty of relic " dug-ups "
is to leave them alone, their character is how they developed in the ground
or creek bed, or wherever, lost to time. Your naval jelly RUINED the find,
and you lost ALL collectable value. It in fact is a Colt .22 New Line
revolver, and with Serial Number 7720 it was made in 1874. Before you began
the jelly work, it was worth about $250 -350, to collectors of "dug-ups",
now it's worth $50, the charm is gone.

So now I and hopefully others will heed his warning and not ruin a collectable piece of history by trying to get rust and other junk off of it. I assumed that the rust would have made it unwanted by a collector but I am wiser now and know to just leave well enough alone and keep it as is. MAybe I will do the same with coins.

HH

Funkman

Sounds like that guy might be a tad bit harsh toward you......He could have explained it much nicer than he did.....If you did indeed ruin the gun.....


I would get another professionalls opinion.. it wouldn't hurt..

My take on how and what that guy said, and he specified "RUIN" twice...........he might have wanted the gun for himself.. ....Just my thoughts......

 

[Shortround]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

Looks like it has plenty of character to me... Get another opinion.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

Well I got an email back from a collector and he verified that it was made in 1874 but he also informed me that I ruined a collectable "dug up" revolver. Here is what I got back from him:

Well, you should have asked for an opinion from an antique arms expert,
prior to taking action. As now the deed is done, and you have RUINED an
otherwise very collectable " dug -up" Colt. The beauty of relic " dug-ups "
is to leave them alone, their character is how they developed in the ground
or creek bed, or wherever, lost to time. Your naval jelly RUINED the find,
and you lost ALL collectable value. It in fact is a Colt .22 New Line
revolver, and with Serial Number 7720 it was made in 1874. Before you began
the jelly work, it was worth about $250 -350, to collectors of "dug-ups",
now it's worth $50, the charm is gone.

So now I and hopefully others will heed his warning and not ruin a collectable piece of history by trying to get rust and other junk off of it. I assumed that the rust would have made it unwanted by a collector but I am wiser now and know to just leave well enough alone and keep it as is. MAybe I will do the same with coins.

HH

Funkman

Well, that's his opinion. One thing Naval Jelly certainly does is remove any trace of the old bluing on firearms. It will also remove bluing from brand new firearms - bluing being just a controlled rust/oxidation process. You should start with less aggressive cleaners like a soak in distilled water or an oil like mineral or oilve. Anything with wood still attached can be immersed in a 50/50 antifreeze/water solution (just like in your car radiator) for a month or so to help stabilize the wood. If it dries out quickly it will crumble to pieces.

 

[mobrigade]

Re: more pics of the late 1800's Colt pistol - GOT THE WORD BACK FROM COLLECTOR

As a collector and now dealer, I have to agree with him. Although he was a little harsh, it is true, as far as the "market" price, its pretty much ruined, but it is what it is, and to you it should be worth more than its normal value because you dug it. Great find and something to be proud of in any condition!

Paul