juggler
Member
Greetings,
My Father-in-law gave me an old black powder pistol, and I am trying to determine what I have. Along the top of the barrel are the words "CONNECTICUT VALLEY ARMS INC.", but a search of their site is not giving me any information about pistols....hopefully someone here can provide insight or direction.
It is a six-shot DAO with an 8" barrel (as measured from the front of the cylinder), with a cut-out on the right; to seat/remove the caps, I presume.
The cylinder has the following engraving running the length of the cylinder; "COLTS PATENT No" with " PAT SEPT 10th 1850" underneath.
Along the width (dia.) of the forward end on the cylinder is engraved " ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843", which I presume refers to the scrimshaw-type engraving around the forward half of the cylinder, depicting sailing ships that may be in battle.
On the bottom of the brass trigger housing there are two stars within circles, flanking the letters "PN" "AN" (in a box) and what appears to be a cauldron within a shield outline. Below all that is the engraving A28720.
The same information, minus the "AN" in a box, is repeated on the underside of the barrel, directly below the charging handle....it seems to indicate that the blued steel and the brass are matching parts.
Here's the kicker; under the charging handle are the words " ASM BLACK POWDER ONLY - MADE IN ITALY".
The grips and brass are in good shape, but the blued steel is rusty and pitted enough to make reading/viewing the scrimshaw difficult. I'd like to know what I have before I start disassembling/cleaning, in case it would be worth more as-is.
Worst-case scenario I have a replica that is a conversation piece; next step up would be a working firearm, which would intorduce me to another shooting hobby.
Best case scenario it is incredibly valuable and I will sell it to an eager collector and then buy more/other gun stuff.... 
I am going back to my search, and will check in frequently to see if someone has any helpful advice/observations.
Thank you in advance
My Father-in-law gave me an old black powder pistol, and I am trying to determine what I have. Along the top of the barrel are the words "CONNECTICUT VALLEY ARMS INC.", but a search of their site is not giving me any information about pistols....hopefully someone here can provide insight or direction.
It is a six-shot DAO with an 8" barrel (as measured from the front of the cylinder), with a cut-out on the right; to seat/remove the caps, I presume.
The cylinder has the following engraving running the length of the cylinder; "COLTS PATENT No" with " PAT SEPT 10th 1850" underneath.
Along the width (dia.) of the forward end on the cylinder is engraved " ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843", which I presume refers to the scrimshaw-type engraving around the forward half of the cylinder, depicting sailing ships that may be in battle.
On the bottom of the brass trigger housing there are two stars within circles, flanking the letters "PN" "AN" (in a box) and what appears to be a cauldron within a shield outline. Below all that is the engraving A28720.
The same information, minus the "AN" in a box, is repeated on the underside of the barrel, directly below the charging handle....it seems to indicate that the blued steel and the brass are matching parts.
Here's the kicker; under the charging handle are the words " ASM BLACK POWDER ONLY - MADE IN ITALY".
The grips and brass are in good shape, but the blued steel is rusty and pitted enough to make reading/viewing the scrimshaw difficult. I'd like to know what I have before I start disassembling/cleaning, in case it would be worth more as-is.
Worst-case scenario I have a replica that is a conversation piece; next step up would be a working firearm, which would intorduce me to another shooting hobby
.Best case scenario it is incredibly valuable and I will sell it to an eager collector and then buy more/other gun stuff....
I am going back to my search, and will check in frequently to see if someone has any helpful advice/observations.
Thank you in advance
