Colt's 3rd 1860 Officers shoot or collect?

[Loosenock]

I came across this Colt 3rd generation Signature series 1860 Officers model. Beautiful firearm. Eight inch barrel, .44 caliber. Delux deep blue, 24K gold cross sabers, gold inlet "Sam Colt" on back strap. It has the original grey box in serviceable condition, but some of the finish on the box is gone where a label was hastily removed. All the paper documents are there, the plastic/paper presentation shelf is in poor condition,



The revolver itself is unfired, but handled considerably. Marks from the cylinder stop show on the cylinder, scratches on the loading lever pivot near the frame and tiny minor ding on the left side of the barrel. The smoothest, crispest action and trigger I've ever handled on a BP revolver.



This would not bring top dollar, but it could bring something or even be good for trading stock. I am not looking to sell it or trade it at this time. But it would be a fun beautiful gun to shoot. But, I have plenty of other BP firearms that I haven't even shot once yet that I could be shooting.

Should I shoot it? or dont? What do you think?

'Loose

 

[Fingers McGee]

Good looking gun. Of course, I've always thought the Sig Series guns were some of the prettiest ones made. Collector interest in the Sig Series guns is not great; but there is some. There is also some interest in shooting them in CAS competition. Collectors would want it unturned with no blemishes and with the original outer white shipping carton. While I have only owned a couple; I have never shot one of them, so, cannot speak to their functionality. I primarily collect 2nd Gens, Shoot a few of them along with Ubertis, Piettas, and Euroarms pistols. If it were mine, I'd shoot it and have fun with it.

 

[Gatofeo]

Shoot it. The Colt 2nd generations guns are more sought-after, because they were generally a higher quality than the Signature Series that followed it.
Like anything, there are exceptions but on the whole, the Signature Series is not as well fit and finished as the 2nd generation.
So, I'd shoot it. If it is not perfect, with no marks, current collectors won't be too interested in it. Yet, it will make a fine shooter.
I bought a Colt 2nd generation 1851 Navy new in 1983. I had no qualms about shooting it. Today, it's had probably close to 2,000 balls through it (not so much for a cartridge gun, but 2,000 rounds in a cap and ball takes quite a long time to load and shoot!). Perhaps closer to 3,000 rounds, I don't know.
Anyway, it's no longer blue but has that nice gray patina that gives the impression that it's an original. Black powder fouling is very slightly abrasive, so over time the bore gets smoother and the bluing gets rubbed off.
Shoot your gun regularly, and in 10 years it will look old and original. Each nick and tiny scratch will give it character.
To me, that's worth more than the money any collector might give you. Besides, if you sold it, in a week's time you wouldn't have the money or the gun. Keep it. Shoot it. Treasure it and the memories it incurs.

 

[mykeal]

Don't shoot it. Use it to shoot with.

Jeez. Why would anyone use a nice gun like that as a target?

 

[Fingers McGee]

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[pohill]

I have two Signature Series guns in .36 caliber and though I've heard many times that they aren't as well made as the 2nd Generation guns, I defy anyone to find a better made, better finished, smoother 2nd Generation gun (or any gun for that matter) than either of mine. Maybe I got lucky both times? I hope they stay un-collectable to keep the price down.
With that said, I have fired one but not the other. And the one that I do shoot (often) is as smooth and trouble free as any gun I own, including the Ruger Old Army. I don't shoot my engraved Colt.

The 1860 .44 that you have is as pretty as they come. It's #1 on my wish list. I'd probably shoot it just for the experience, then baby the heck out of it during cleaning.

 

[Old Fuff]

Were it and the box in perfect condition I'd put it away. Given some time collectors will start paying to get these becauce it's unlikely there will be any more. But it will be a long, long time before collectors will be willing to pay big bucks for anything less then perfect.

I work both sides of the street by picking up collectables when I can at the right price, and keeping them until I can sell at a profit. Sometimes the profit can be considerable, depending on the circumstances, and most of the money goes for more guns, which makes the pastime self-supporting.

But this time I think, that if I had it, I'd go shoot it. If you take care of it any additional wear won't be noticed.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The 3rd gens were in production until 2002 so they well not be as collectible as the 2nd gen that ended production in1976. As time goes by they well be.

With the wear on your revolver I would go ahead and shoot it. The 3rd gens are excellent shooters. In many cases the same workers made the F series 2nd gens and the 3rd gens. Both share the same parts suppliers. The finish is the major difference, and that butt ugly sig line on the 3rd gens. I consider overall quality on the F series 2nd gens and 3rd gens the same. The 3rd gens used a different bluing and CCH process. Both lines are great shooters.

 

[sixgun MAK]

It's a shooter. Enjoy it!

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Don't shoot it. Use it to shoot with.

:O) +1 for Mykeal ...

 

[Smiling Bob Masterson]

Loosenock,

If she were mine and in the condition described I would go ahead and shoot her.

Smiling Bob

 

[Loosenock]

Gents, thanks for your replies. I will enjoy firing that piece. I was thinking along those lines but I wanted to be sure.

Thanks again for your comments.

'Loose

 

[sixgun MAK]

Loosenock,

Let us know how it shoots. All of my Sig Series guns had VERY STIFF mainsprings and I replaced them all. Have fun!

 

[SixShootinSam]

I have a 2nd gen colt walker, I've de-blued it and shot it many times. Don't regret it at all, it's a beauty and shoots well.
If I wanted to store it away to look at, I might as well stare at a picture.