Colt Walker Reproduction Identification

[Tarheel59]

I am currently considering a reproduction of the Colt Walker - the gun is new (unfired), but not in the box......

The indication is that this gun was produced by Colt...

I briefly examined and didn't see anything that I could readily identify to indicate otherwise - i.e. I didn't see Uberti stamped on it anywhere....

A few questions:
1) What specifically do I look for to insure it is a "genuine" Colt? i.e. subtle as well as obvious markings..
2) Does Colt in this instance mean manufactured by Colt, or "for" Colt by someone else?
3) What would such a gun in "pristine" value be worth?
4) Would I be nuts (lose a bunch of value/money) to shoot it?
5) Where would I find a reference for serial numbers/date of manufacture for these?

Thanks,

Tarheel

 

[robhof]

Pictures would help, and Colt 2nd generations(20th century repro's)were made under Colt liscence and finished by Colt, so they could actually be called Colts. The 3rd gen's were made by the Italians and again finished by Colt or a Colt authorized contractor for Colt quality control. Italian Copies don't necessarily have their name on the guns, you have to look at the proof marks and code stampings on the frame and/or under the barrel.

 

[junkman_01]

All 2G+3G 'Colt' guns are built from Uberti parts. Where they were finished is explained in this article...

https://www.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPHistoryOfColtBlack.pdf

 

[Fingers McGee]

A few questions Asked by Tarheel59:

1) What specifically do I look for to insure it is a "genuine" Colt? i.e. subtle as well as obvious markings. All italian repros will have makers marks, date codes and proof markings on them (unless they've been removed). 2nd Gen and Sig series Colts will not.
2) Does Colt in this instance mean manufactured by Colt, or "for" Colt by someone else? See the article referenced by Junkman - Basically, C series Colt 2nd Gens were made in Hartford by Colt. F Series Colt 2nd Gens were made in Middlesex NJ By Iver Johnson under supervision by Colt. Sig Series were made in Brooklyn NY by Colt Blackpowder Arms Co. under license from Colt. All of them used Italian and American made parts. 2nd Gens were inspected, marketed, sold, and warranted by Colt's. Sig Series were not.
3) What would such a gun in "pristine" value be worth? NIB 2nd Gen Walker is valued at $1100; Sig Series at $700 (2011 BlueBook)
4) Would I be nuts (lose a bunch of value/money) to shoot it? Only you can decide whether it would be "nuts"; but a Walker by either manufacturer would lose value if shot
5) Where would I find a reference for serial numbers/date of manufacture for these? Second Gens are listed in Dennis Russell's 'Percussion Colt Revolvers - The Second Generation"; Doc O'Meara's "Colt's Single Action Army Revolver"; and RL Wilson's "Colt, An American Legend". Serial numbers of 2nd Gens ran from 1200-3772 and 32256-32500 and were made in 1980 and 81. Sig series Walkers have Sam Colt signature on the backstrap and were made from 1994-2002 and to my knowledge there is no known serial number range.