[mikedavis120]

I found this while cleaning my Great grandpa's house out after he died...

it is a Connecticut Valley Arms Black Powder . 50 cal Seems to be in great shape as far as i can tell, no major flaws, Nice wood finish with a few scratches but not to bad. Just curious if ya'll can help let me know.


http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/mikedavis120/blackpowder004.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/mikedavis120/blackpowder003.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/mikedavis120/blackpowder001.jpg

[Iggy]

That pistol looks like the CVA mountain pistol.. It was the mate to their Mountain rifle of the same caliber.

http://www.thunder-ridge-muzzleloading.com/images/cva%20mountain.gif

25 years ago, you could buy that as completed gun or a kit.

The completed one was around $100 as I recall, and the kit was about half that.

The pistol was made out of the same parts as their 50 Caliber rifles. I was given the kit and built it into a plumb fun gun..

I had it for years and traded it for something I don't remember and probably regret.

I can tell you I ran across an Angus bull that had been killed by lightning on the ranch.. Just out of curiosity, I decided to see what that pistol would do on real meat..

With a charge of around 50 grains or so that rascal put the ball clear through that 1800 pound bull carcass..

The gun is accurate and powerful enough to deserve a lot of respect.

My wife had a CVA Mountain rifle and delighted in outshooting the guys with 600 to 800 dollar custom front loaders on a regular basis.. You have a very viable pistol there.

Have fun

BTW don't start out with 50 grains of powder... Try 30 and work up!!!

[mec]

I built one from a kit about that time too. Very loud with 50 grains. I didn't have a chronograph then but I don't even load Lyman Plains Pistol that hot. Probably sending the ball along at 1000-1100 fps from what my lyman does with ten grains less powder. It was accurate on NRA bullseye targets at 25 yards

[mikedavis120]

I dont shoot Black Powder but i do respect the people who do. To much work for me im more of a semi auto kinda guy :uhoh: But i was wondering what this piece would be worth for sale or what i should ask for it. Any help would be appreciated.

[arcticap]

This Mountain Pistol was just sold for $110:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=61958601

[Iggy]

Find someone that shoots black powder and borrow the makin's to load it and fire it once before you sell it.:evil:

On the other hand, maybe you better not. You might come lookin' for me in revenge for causin' a new shooting addiction for you!!:)

[Nematocyst]

If it were me, I'd not take less than $3K for it.

But that's just because it's obviously a part of antiquity,
no longer produced, and I'm a very principled person.

YMMV.

[rustymaggot]

since no one else has said it yet(unless i missed it), treat it like its loaded.

what we might hang on a wall now 100 years ago someone probably left loaded. handed down generation to generation only to find out that the old black powder rifle that great great whoever had was kept loaded and the powder still good 100 years later. when i was a kid the kid down the street killed his little brother playing robocop with the old musket looking thing above the fireplace when the parents were gone.

[mikedavis120]

"If it were me, I'd not take less than $3K for it."


I wish That i could get that much for it. I have shot black powder and its cool, just not for me.

Is 3k a legitimate price to ask for it? Ive seen a few online going for like 500 but mine looks so much nicer than those ones and i doubt if its even see to much use.

Well thanks everyone, Confused

[Mornard]

Don't be misled by everyone's comments. This pistol has a value of $75 to $85. Possible 15% higher, if someone really wants it badly. Don't just take my word for it, check out some online sales and auctions. :o

[hockeybum]

heirloom....

[Plink]

Mornard is right. It's really not worth a whole lot. If it has sentimental value, I'd suggest keeping it. The $100-150 you might get for it won't buy you much in todays world.

[Nematocyst]

I just responded to a PM from MD120.

Mike, to reiterate, I agree with others about the most likely price. It's probably closer to $100 than $3K (although I'm betting not less than a c note).

My somewhat flippant comment about $3K was more about that, if I couldn't get more than that for it, I'd just keep it. Especially since it was in your family.

That makes the real price much higher to you (hence, my absurdly high recommendation). It is an heirloom. Do you know its history? Did your grandfather shoot it? Did it come from another member of your family to him?

If it were me, and it was only worth $100, unless I was starving and nearly on the street, I'd keep it for sentimental value.

I'd also have a professional antique gun appraiser look evaluate it. If You're near a larger city, you should be able to find a couple at least.

Good luck.

Nem

[mikedavis120]

My grandpa shot it alot actually. I have never seen it out before. I remember hunting alot with him, he liked black powder alot. Has several old pieces you all might like, i will try to post some pics ... I know he has like nine safes here and im still looking for all the keys to them so far i have found quite the handful of stuff. Old rugers and alot of gold .303's and such but nothing like the CVA i found.
Thanks for all your guys help and opinions, but it looks like this gun is a wall jockey from now on.

[Gun Smith]

I deal in a lot of muzzle loaders. In my shop or at a gun show it will bring $90 to $125. If it had walnut wood and set triggers maby $300 but not with single trigger and birch wood.It's still a good shooter. Good Luck

[Milkmaster]

I have been looking for a T/C Patriot pistol for some time now. I never see them at gun shows any more. I am a bit scared of Ebay. Also can't seem to find a new T/C Hawken rifle to buy. No one has one in stock to sell that I have found even though they advertise such.

Milkmaster

[Plink]

If you browse the gun auction sites, you'll probably run into one sooner or later. As for Ebay, I've bought a lot of muzzleloader stuff from them. I haven't been burned yet. Just take a close look at the pictures, read the description carefully, and if you have any worries, fire off questions to the seller. I see them pass through Ebay regularly. I picked one up at the local gun show a while back. That was a rare streak of luck as I hadn't seen any in years either. Good luck to you. They're a fun pistol!

[Niner]

Thanks for all your guys help and opinions, but it looks like this gun is a wall jockey from now on

Shoot the darn thing and remember your grandfather when you do....if there is nothing wrong with it. At least that's what I'd do.