Can anyone tell me what I've got?

[Henry Bowman]

I have a black powder revolver that was given to me by my father-in-law. It is NIB, never fired, but has been neglected for 20 -25 years. He bought 2 of them and gave one to a client who collected or was otherwise interested in them as a gift (20-25 years ago). It has sat in a plastic bag in the box and needs some cleaning up no matter what.

I'm not into BP shooting and I doubt that I ever will be. I don't know if this has value to sell, or whether I should just hang on to it for another 20 years and see if I (or one of my kids) want to make a project out of restoring it.

I know that it is a Samuel Colt design "Baby Dragoon" but I don't recognize the manufacturer of this reproduction. I know that it is a .31 cal., 5 shot cap and ball revolver with a 4" bbl. The butt of the grip is marked "Italy FIE" and has some other marking that I don't recognize.

The people on this board are the best. Can anyone help me? Is it a keeper, junk, or what?

Thanks!

 

[4v50 Gary]

Italian repro that isn't desirable by collectors who prefer originals. What you have is a shooter.

 

[Henry Bowman]

If I wanted to sell it for a price that a BP shooter would consider a "really good deal" but not quite an outright steal, what should I ask?

 

[JPM63US]

Value

Being an open frame Colt design in brass, and that Midway is selling Uberti Remingtons in steel for $175, I think $50 is a good asking price.

However - patience usually will get you more.

JPM

 

[RON in PA]

A new gun like that retails for approx. $100. If it had a steel frame it would be more valuable and better as a shooter.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Thanks, guys. I know nothing about BP guns.

I think I'll get some caps, bullets (I was going to say "balls"), powder and "how-to" guide and bury it for when everything else has been banned.

Currently it's kind of "sticky." Should I clean it up and slather it with cosmoline, or just leave it alone in a dry environment?

 

[4v50 Gary]

$100 is a fair price. May be able to get $125 and max $150. The engraving looks "rough" enough to have been done by hand too.

Ebay it and have a reserve of $125.

 

[Henry Bowman]

The engraving is definately by hand, for what that's worth.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Bump up the price then as "hand engraving." Perhaps $175 but you may get only $125-$150.

 

[swampsniper]

ITALIAN BRASS FRAMED REPROS

If you shoot it, check and clean often. The bores have a tendency to lead up rapidly, to the point that pressure increases, and the frame stretches.