Old revolver

[erd]

This is a very old cap and ball revolver, dug in a shallow creek in Missouri. Do not know much about it. the town was the sight os a small skirmish in 1862. gun appears to be a 31 or 32 caliber and is still loaded. Looks to be a 5 shot. Pretty far gone, only a serial number visible. Any info on it's ID, year or era will be appreciated. Also any ideas on how I can keep it. Been out off the creek for three years and looks worse now than it did when I dug it. I cannot afford much or extensive preservation, just want to display it w/o it falling apart. Plus since there are balls in the cylinder I do not know if this risks any explosions, if the powder is still viable.

 

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[kuger]

Thats incredibly cool....looks like a Colt...if it is...you can contact them with that serial number and for a fee then can tell ya who originally purchased it and when

 

[bevo]

32 cal navy. really cool.

 

[robin jack]

when I see this thread I was expecting some real and usable revolver..but its not this able anyhow its really looking cool and old revolver body..like a royal revolver..
did you weight this revolver..? Tell me the current weight..if possible..

 

[kuger]

when I see this thread I was expecting some real and usable revolver..but its not this able anyhow its really looking cool and old revolver body..like a royal revolver..
did you weight this revolver..? Tell me the current weight..if possible..

Why....its a Colt Navy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_1851_Navy_Revolver

[TABLE="class: infobox"]
[TR]
[TH]Weight[/TH]
[TD]2.6 lb (1.2 kg)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Length[/TH]
[TD]13 in (330.2 mm)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[bevo]

yep, navy.

 

[John_Deere]

Wow, great find! Definitely looks like the ones they used back in the Civil War. Since its loaded, I'm guessing the poor guy who owned it went down and dropped that in the river. That gun definitely has some history behind it, congrats and HH!!

 

[Dr D]

Looks like 1851 colt navy nice find

 

[Dr D]

Colt navy serial numbers are up to 215,348 might be a 1849 pocket, serial #'s go up to 340,000 it's a nice "relic" though

 

[Citiboy289]

Great find , If you can actually find the number here is colts link to give you the year of manufacture Colt Firearm Serial Number Lookup - Year of Manufacture Colt charges $300 for a letter from that era which I would not waste my $ on considering the condition the still being loaded might present an issue but considering it has been in a creek for at least 100 plus years I would doubt it would present a problem ----- IMO I would just leave it alone , its just being held together by rust and tampering would only weaken it more maybe just a light coat of rust prevention oil ---- Anyway any COLT from that era is a priceless piece of AMERICAN HISTORY and you have been placed in the position of being its caretaker ----- That was made when AMERICAN Manufacturing was something of a art -------- OLD COLT COLLECTOR SAYING ------ A COLT WILL ALWAYS BE A COLT ---
Care for her well

 

[l.cutler]

It is not a Colt Navy, it is definitely a Civil War era production model 1849. The model 1849 was the most produced Colt percussion revolver. What a great find, I hope you find a way to preserve it from further deterioration.

 

[yaxthri]

That is a fantastic find... bang!

 

[kuger]

Colt navy serial numbers are up to 215,348 might be a 1849 pocket, serial #'s go up to 340,000 it's a nice "relic" though

Good call,I didnt know that about the serial#'s,its a .31 Cal then.The '49 Pocket is my all around favorite revolver.......followed by Pepperbox's

 

[Citiboy289]

Good call,I didnt know that about the serial#'s,its a .31 Cal then.The '49 Pocket is my all around favorite revolver.......followed by Pepperbox's

KUGER & CLUTER --- I think I have to move into your corner about it being a 49 pocket , The more I look at it and Pictures of Relic pieces that have been on GB auctions , The more I agree with you 2 ---- But also we must also consider that there were several other knock off manufactures of versions of the 49 , johnson was one as was manhattan Guess we weill never know for sure dur to the condition But still and EXCELLENT FIND