Original Walkers!

[Tallship]

Just got back from the antique gun show in Las Vegas, and was actually able to handle two original Walkers, B Co. #8 and #43 that are going up for auction next week. Up close and personal, they don't look all that different from the first and second model Dragoons that were for sale (from $13,000 to $48,000), but boy, talk about holding history in your hand. Also got to talk to one of the foremost collectors of Walkers and Dragoons, and had about a twenty minute conversation with him on how to tell the fakes from the originals; very interesting. So if anyone has a spare quarter mill (each) laying around, there are two guns to be had out there.

 

[ArmedBear]

Clint has the money.

 

[jphendren]

I saw those at the Beinfeld show at the Riviera. Could not believe my eyes. The way they had them laying in the case I couldn't verify if they had the upside own "8" in the "1847 rollmarks, and I didn't dare ask to handle them.

Jared

 

[Blacksmoke]

Given how rare they are (only 1,000) and how dang old (1847, 1847!?!), it is amazing that any of them still exist. I can't find the cordless screw gun I bought last month. How did anybody keep track of these irons for 160 years?

Note: this is a rhetorical question but if anyone has insights into an answer, please speak up!

 

[DixieTexian]

Given how rare they are (only 1,000) and...

I believe it was 1,100. 1,000 were military contract guns and the other 100 were sold to civilians or something like that.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

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[Tommygunn]

Charcoal guy, ease off on the caffeine, okay???

 

[sundance44s]

Yep that makes it an Original ..and makes you the original owner ..it`s a keeper .

 

[Blacksmoke]

It appears that "Charcol" is the true original.

OK, 1,100. That is still not many for so long ago. Is it true that Wallker Colts were prone to blowing up on occasion? That would reduce the number even more!

 

[DixieTexian]

I think there is a theory about them blowing up because the original owners did not know what to do with the picket bulets they were issued with them. Seems they might have loaded them backwards in the cylinder.

 

[sundance44s]

I read the same about the picket bullets being loaded backwards ..That might do it .

 

[ArmedBear]

What does a picket bullet look like?

EDIT: Oh, never mind. Here's General Pickett and a Pickett Bullet.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

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[Peter M. Eick]

I have handled several originals down at Collector's firearms here in Houston. They will let serious to semi-serious collectors at least look at them. Most of the ones I remember were in the 30k range.