Colt 1851 Shoulder stock..Repro???

[skrounger]

I need some accurate assistance: I have a nice original(??) Colt shoulder stock. Brass w/mustard patina finish. It has what appears to be Confederate stamping..at least on the top approx.1/4in. from the forward tip of the Bplate tang top. In deep tiny letters is stamped C.S.A....then on the R.side facing front towards rear of stock is stamped in 3/8in. numbers 12x and after that is fancy scroll capitol letters M.J(?).N. possible a cartouche(?)...heavy steel ring for saddle use. How do I determine if this is repro or possibly original.? I realize early examples were steel frame...Thanks.

 

[AlexanderA]

For what it's worth, I just looked at my Uberti reproduction of an 1860 Colt shoulder stock, and it has no visible markings at all (perhaps someone ground them off, in an attempt to "defarb" it?). The markings that you describe would, to me, tend to make it an original, but on the other hand the "CSA" marking is more often faked than not. (If real, it would be worth a lot of money.)

The deciding factors, to me, would be how well it fits on an original pistol, and the overall workmanship. The general wood-to-metal fit of the reproductions is not nearly as good as the originals, and they are made to fit the pistols of the specific manufacturer (Uberti stocks will not fit on Pietta pistols, and vice versa). This leads me to think that the reproductions will not fit well on originals.

 

[Jim K]

Are you sure it is for the '51 Navy? There were very few '51 Navies cut for stock, and the stocks are even rarer. I have seen only two cut for stock Navies, and have never seen a stock. (An 1860 Army stock, real or repro, won't fit.) While it seemed like a good idea, few soldiers actually used the stocks and few pistols were issued with them. Although the stock cuts are standard on the Army, the frame studs for actual use with a stock are uncommon.

Also, FWIW, most Confederate equipment that was marked at all was marked just "C.S." as Federal equipment was marked "U.S." (not "U.S.A."). A "C.S.A." marking, IMHO, is automatically suspect. There have been many 1860 Army repro stocks made, including ones by Colt in their Cavalry commemorative set, far more than there ever were originals.

If you can post pictures, someone might be able to provide more help. But, barring some documentary evidence, like an authenticated letter from your GGGrandfather saying he is leaving the shoulder stock he used at Gettysburg to his heirs, I am inclined to doubt you have an original.

Jim