Hi Again,

Here's another one in the collection that I'm learning about (the first was an 1873 Winchester lever gun in another forum). This one was a bit easier because there are more markings.

It's a Colt Peacemaker (at least I think it is?)

S/N 157594

I'm wondering about the "star" in the grip though...is there some significance to that?

Thanks again (in advance),

Looking forward to hearing what you guys know!

This is the actual gun:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dsieburg/Peacemaker.jpg

I'm almost positive that is Marshall Dillon's pistola. Just kidding:D

I don't know squat about old Colt single actions except that they are cool.
What caliber is it? What about the finish? Is it Nickel? Doesn't look like nickel.

Well, from the picture it certainly looks like a Colt. Whats it say on the barrel and frame? Is there a "S" or "A" with the S/N? Hard to say about the signifigance of the medallion inset into the handle. Could be just an aftermarket replacement grip, a custom touch added by an owner, a special order for a L/E group, etc. Whatever markings you can find would be helpful. On the downside, it could also be a modern clone that's been "antiqued". If you cannot find "Colt" somewhere on the revolver, your best bet would be to have it examined by a knowledgeable appraiser. I know Cimarron Firearms offers an antiqued finish on many of their guns so just because a gun looks old, it may not be necessarily so.

Hey Ken,

Man...I was hoping I had a pistola!

I'm honestly not sure what the finish on this is. The camera flash did 'brighten' it up though...in person it sure does look like an old nickel.

I'm not 100% on the caliber either...I'm assuming 45?

Send a Colt expert this way! Help! :)

Marshal,

This says:

Colt's PT. F. A. MFG Co. Hartford CT U.S.A. on the barrel

and

PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871
July 2. 72
Jan 19. 75

and the S/N is 157594

Based on the rest of the collection this gun came from I'm quite certain it is authentic...he was a quite a collector and has some other interesting pieces.

Well, its not safe for modern smokeless powder loads with a serial number that low.

Hi Matt,

I didn't plan on trying to shoot this or any of the other guns ever. This and literally 39 other guns are all part of a friend's deceased father's collection.

I know enough about guns to track down guys that know a lot about guns :)

I believe my friend intends on selling all of the guns in the collection...

This is not the right place...but if anyone reading this is interested PM me and I will send you a PDF file that I have put together cataloging the entire collection.

Thanks again for all the help!

The Cody Gun Museum in Cody Wyoming can give you every bit of information you'll ever want about pretty much any gun.

I would highly recommend a professional appraisal, that revolver could be worth $10,000 or more.

Whoa!

I spoke with the nice folks at the Winchester museum regarding an 1873 lever gun that is in the collection and I think we are going to get that one lettered.

I will definitely have this one done too.

Thanks again!

It was made in 1894 according to this list. I have no idea what it's worth. :confused:

http://www.coltparts.com/Dates_of_Mfg.html

Bye
Jack

Super! It sounds like a first generation single action Colt, if so, it is worth some bucks! Would suggest you follow up on this by having it appraised. Can't tell how it's finished from the photo as it could be either nickel or no longer has any finish at all. The last one I saw at a gunshow similar to yours was in the $2-3K catagory but the actual value of yours will depend on an appraisal. You might look over the trigger guard to see if a caliber has been stamped into it in very small numbers. Yours has what is popularly called the black powder frame wherein the base pin (the pin that supports the cylinder) is retained by a base pin screw which can be seen in the front of the frame just under the base pin. Drawing the hammer back to half-cock and removal of this screw will allow the base pin to be removed freeing the cylinder from the frame. Later Colts have the base pin retained by a spring loaded cross pin. The largest number of them were chambered for .45 Colt, followed by the .44 WCF (.44-40), then the .38 WCF (.38-40). Looks like you have a "keeper" there.