Robert E.Lee Commemorative 1851

[Skinny 1950]

I have a chance to buy a Robert E. Lee Commemorative 1851 in a presentation case with powder flask and mould, the gun has been shot many times which is good for me because I want to shoot it as well. The set is being offered at $550 which is about what a new Uberti costs here in Canada. From what I have read the parts were made in Italy (Uberti) and assembled in the U.S. by Colt or at least with the blessing's of Colt.
Anyone have any more information on this gun and do you think I should go for it???
Thanks

 

[72coupe]

Pretty heavy drag marks on the cylinder so it is out of time and the wedge screw is missing.

I'd try to bargain him down to $400 Canadian. But I have no expertise in appraising, its just what I would do.

 

[Foto Joe]

REALLY, you have to ask??

I don't disagree with shooting it, especially since it's already been fired. But that looks like a pretty nasty drag mark on that cylinder, I've got repro's with a thousand rounds through them that don't drag like that. Colt or not, I'd try to get them to come down simply because of the tuning issue. That and since it HAS been fired the collector value is pretty well shot, so to speak.

 

[CraigC]

I'd be tempted to try and bring that one home. Especially if that's what a new Uberti goes for.

Pretty heavy drag marks on the cylinder so it is out of time...

Or it's simply been mishandled.

 

[unknwn]

There are alot of things to take into consideration about a '51 that has been in someone else's hands (?? round count), and they see fit to ask that much for it.
Is that an aluminum trigger guard/grip frame? use a magnet to help determine.
Is there any problem with the threads in the wedge retaining screw hole?
Will the owner allow you to dismantle & inspect before you buy?

Again, There are alot of things to take into consideration about a '51 (or most ANY open top revolver)
Do some investigation with Colt using that serial number to find out particulars regarding the production run.
You make referance to Uberti. Do you have any solid reason to think it might be Uberti manufacture?
Look the gun over REAL closely and you might find telling maker's marks, or at least proof house markings ,maybe even manufacture date codes.

It certainly has a nice box and accessory complement, but you have to really like it to pay current going rate for a gun of uncertain pedigree.

If you like it-buy it! But practice some due diligence to at least ascertain that you are going to get a good shooter if that is what you are looking for.

 

[junkman_01]

unknwn,

YOU need to read this.....then you will know what you are posting.

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

 

[Fingers McGee]

Skinny, read the article at the link Junkman provided. It will give you the whole story of the 2nd Gens. IMNSHO the set is not worth $550 US. In addition to the drag line on the cylinder and the missing wedge screw, the original gray/pewter finish on the flask has been polished away.

There were 4750 of the Robert E. Lee sets made in Hartford by Colt in 1971. Current (2011) 2nd Generation Percussion Colt collectors handbook and price guide lists the following values:

NIB - $950
100% - $800
98% - $525
95% - $425

I would rate this set at something shy of 95%.

 

[arcticap]

The price guide applies to the U.S. values, but what about the fact that it's in Canada where there's much less availablility?
Wouldn't that factor into its price in Vancouver, Canada?
If it's local value is about $500 then $50 more isn't stretching it too much.
The cylinder scoring isn't very deep at all, and the cylinder notches themselves look to be in just about perfect shape.
If one estimates the value of the presentation case and each of the accessories separately then the price for the gun itself is not such a bad deal.
That only leaves a deduction that's mostly just for the missing screw.

 

[J-Bar]

I owned one of these several years ago. It was beautiful on the outside, lovely fit and finish. The insides looked worse than my Uberti 1851. Lots of rough tool marks and scratches from poorly mated parts. It took just as much work on the Colt Commemorative to make it a reliable shooter as on my Piettas and Ubertis.

In my opinion, the Colt Commemoratives were made to look at, and they are excellent for that. They were not made to shoot out of the box, although they can be tuned as well as a Pietta or a Uberti.

It's your money...do you want a looker, a shooter, or a project?

 

[pohill]

I'd ask why the wedge screw is missing. How tight/loose is the barrel/frame connection? With all the extras and the case, that price isn't bad (if everything checks out and it's a good shooter).
This is the other Lee commemorative. I saw one recently for about $800 unfired.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_78&products_id=12079

 

[AJumbo]

72, you are an exceptionally warm-hearted fella. I would point out all the issues, then offer $200. Cabela's is peddling steel Pietta 1860's for $180 even as we speak, and I doubt that they have the kind of tuning troubles this Navy has. It was never meant to be fired, and was never tuned properly for that role.

Skinny, in the world of trading guns, horses, guitars and vehicles, if your first offer doesn't embarrass you,it was too high.

 

[72coupe]

Ajumbo, I did say $400 Canadian. What is that, $199.50 American?

Really though being stamped Sam'l Colt has some value for me even if it did require some tuning which would probably cost me nothing.

 

[Fingers McGee]

In looking at the exchange rate - IMNSHO, something between $400 and $425 Canadian would be a reasonable price.

 

[AJumbo]

Oh, $400 CANADIAN..... must have missed that.... offer him two chickens and a six-pack.

 

[arcticap]

Who knows? Could all of the accessories be worth $200 or more?

550.00 CAD = 537.160 USD
Canadian Dollar US Dollar
1 CAD = 0.976655 USD 1 USD = 1.02390 CAD

http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert/?Amount=550&From=CAD&To=USD

 

[YumaKid]

Oh, $400 CANADIAN..... must have missed that.... offer him two chickens and a six-pack.

Hey now, you may be over-generalizing just a bit. There are some Canadian fellers on a couple other Forums that I frequent (having to do with a sporty "Man's Car" manufactured by Mercury in the 60's-70's); and they, to a man, claim that there is a marked differentiation between "regular Canadians" and Newfie's.

You might probably be able to make that deal with a Newfie if you left the chickens out and upped the offer to a couple cases of beer; but a "regular Canadian" would be insulted. So I'm told.

Just Sayin'

 

[Matchlock]

Hi Unknwn

The magnet won't help him at all. The backstrap and trigger guard is silver plated brass.

"Is that an aluminum trigger guard/grip frame? use a magnet to help determine?"