Would you shoot an original 19th Century Colt?

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jphendren

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
80
Location
North Las Vegas, NV
I am having so much fun with my new 2nd gen. Colt 1860 that I am toying with the idea of an original 1860, I have found some decent looking ones in the $1,700-2,000 range. Would these be considered safe to shoot? Just toying with the idea, I could be buy 2 or 3 NIB 2nd gens for that price.
 
I went on a hunting trip where we all used BP cartridges. I was the only one with a replica (Pedersoli Sharps).

The other guys had an original Sharps, two trapdoors (one in like-new condition!), an original Remington Rolling Block, and a .38-40 Winchester. They all shot fine, and nothing exploded. All but the Winchester 1892 were made in the early 1870s.

An original from the 19th Century, in good condition, with black powder and a light-to-medium load, should be fine. Just make sure you clean it up well. It'd be a shame to rust it. And I would try not to wear it out. That's what replicas are for.:)
 
In a heartbeat! I have several 2nd generation and Sig Series guns and have often thought of getting an original. I have seen some in good condition for a lot less than you're talking about.
 
Originals are fine shooters, but do clean thoroughly...and keep the round count down. Look for a gun with low collector value. A mixmaster with no bluing - or a gun that some nitwit refinished - can shoot great.

The biggest problem is that originals are addictive. There's a big difference between a repro made for the plinker market and a serious sidearm.
 
i would probably use 777 something that does not have sulfor that can clean up with hot water. Not that i would use hot water only. then i think i would treat it like my replicas. using 15-20 grains max. thats it.

on another note it would have to be in very good working condtion. Including the nipples. If you cant take them out. id advice to not shooting it. If you can disasemble it all the way then id say yes
 
No. That's what repros are for. Originals are for collecting.
 
I wouldn't shoot an original, I've got too much collector and preserver of history in my blood. Got no problem shooting one of those Italian made replicas for all it's worth though, because I know replacements parts can be had and at best I'd only lose a few hundred dollars, as opposed to being responsible for a few thousand dollars.
 
Would you shoot an original 19th Century Colt?
Click to expand...
Sure, I'd shoot it... from about twenty five yards with my repro Remington! :p Just kidding!

Honestly, though, if I could afford to spend that much on an original I'd be sure to keep it as pristine as I could (NOT shooting it) and keep it as a collector piece. Just owning such an awesome piece of history would keep me in grins for a lifetime. :)
 
Ill admit I would be sorely tempted, but my answer is NO. Any more wear isn't needed and isn't good, and so just a few shots are too much risk. But then I am just me.

With Rev War and back guns I consider it a sin in the highest order to shoot them, even if the guy really is an expert.
 
I think I'd probably shoot it once, then clean it very thoroughly, dry it well, oil it well, oil it again, and leave it be.

I'd want to know how it felt to shoot a real one, if I had it anyway. But then I could go back to repros.:)
 
I have. Don't think I would again, though. The first was a mixmaster 1851 Navy with lots of "character" that I picked up as a college student in the 1960s. (Kept it in my dorm room, too.) Had some bullets stick in the barrel with light loads at the outset; also one chain fire in which 4 of 6 went off, harmlessly. The final farce was when the arbor base came loose from the standing breech on firing and the barrel, cylinder, and arbor flew forward off the gun. I was lucky enough to find a very talented gunsmith who actually was able to put it all back together in functioning order one last time. Needless to say, the gun is now retired and has been a wall hanger for years now.

The other was a pretty nice 1860 Army Colt. It was a very nice shooter, and something of a surprise in that it was a much, much better gun that any replicas on the market, to include the vaunted 2nd Generation Colts. There really is a difference, in spite of what the full color catalogues claim. I didn't shoot it much, but enough to really like it. However in the process of doing that the mainspring snapped. It was a pretty sickening sound and realization that I had destroyed even that small a part of history. I still feel guilty about it.

I have shot other originals to include Trapdoors, Sharps, and various Winchester lever guns. I am less and less inclined to do it anymore, though. I think the originals should be left alone as they have done their part. Between the value of even plain versions of these guns and the vast selection of replicas now on the market, I just don't care to do it nowadays.

Probably the ultimate stunt in that regard is a segment of the "Tales of the Gun" in which the infamous R.L. Wilson ("Guns Of The Federal Prison system") shoots an original Paterson Colt.

Sort of like firing up the Original Wright Brothers Flyer--you might get away with it, but really, should you risk it?
 
scat, there is something not just right on that walker, and I decided that before i read the discription. My best on that one based on no facts, is very nice fake.

A few things I didn't like are the sand blast effect on the wood grips, but other wise they have not shrunk.

The L is Colt is to long.

Notches always trip my stick, and I think I have seen other "JB" guns like this before...

After reading the sellers BeWARE I think he knows more than he will say, but give him credit to say that.

Give me your gun and I can make it look like that in less than 90 days. I am no expert at these and so this is just my personal opinion, base on gut feelings..

If someone gave that to me there is no chance I would shoot it, not even think of it. And Not because shooting that on would harm it, but I don't trust it as it is.. Once more just me...
 
Hey, kids, before about 1961 and the CW centennial, there WERE NO repros. We shot originals, had a lot of fun, and didn't hurt them any more than they were already hurt by going through a war. I still shoot my originals and don't see any problem doing so.

Incidentally, the originals shoot a lot better than the first repros, which were made by Uberti and brought in by Val Forgett of Navy Arms. Nice guns, and I still have two. But the rifling machinery Uberti got from Beretta was made for auto pistol barrels and was too shallow for lead balls. They wised up later.

Jim
 
scat, there is something not just right on that walker, and I decided that before i read the discription. My best on that one based on no facts, is very nice fake.

A few things I didn't like are the sand blast effect on the wood grips, but other wise they have not shrunk.

The L is Colt is to long.

Notches always trip my stick, and I think I have seen other "JB" guns like this before...

After reading the sellers BeWARE I think he knows more than he will say, but give him credit to say that.

Give me your gun and I can make it look like that in less than 90 days. I am no expert at these and so this is just my personal opinion, base on gut feelings..

If someone gave that to me there is no chance I would shoot it, not even think of it. And Not because shooting that on would harm it, but I don't trust it as it is.. Once more just me...
Click to expand...

I think i will take your advice on this.,
 
scrat, Are you seeking such a gun in that price range? If so I was not aware.

Another problem I have is that just 1,100 were made. Of those I have seen, many are in better shape, of course they cost more, and a lot more, but these can be documented. I get the feeling this one can't.

I also get the feeling this one was made outside USA, as these were forged as in forgery outside the USA in the 19th century in many places, such as Africa, and China. Other semi related items I have seen is money in the form of Silver American dollars also made in China long ago.

So while Colt made 1,100, other folks faking Colt made more. If money was no problem for me and I wanted that bad, I might go 1,500 bucks. In order to do so I would have to be into collecting fakes which some people like to do..

The game then is prove it is a genuine fake. (There just is no telling what people will do huh?) I mean can you understand that mind set? Can you be a fakes collector and after trying your best, discover the piece is real?! Oh what a disappointment that would be to a collector of fakes!

By the way I have a Rolex Oyster for sale ;-) I am so sure it comes straight from china, and such a deal at just $19.95. There are others like them, but this one is mine but for just $19.95 it can be yers! (evil grin)
 
Hey, kids, before about 1961 and the CW centennial, there WERE NO repros.
Click to expand...
Before legitimate reproductions came out a few hand made replicas of collectors items like the Texas Ranger Colt Walkers and Pattersons were made in Mexico purely to be passed off as originals. Some of these still show up in collections.
 
Certainly, as long as you keep the load mild and the gun is in good condition why not. I think I'd be tempted to limit the outings with it to the odd BP competition but I'd shoot it for sure.
 
I think its a fake.

:scrutiny:What leads me to think that its a fake is, Arent all Colt Walkers stamped on the right side above the wedge U.S. 1847?
And this one does not have that maybe it was just the Miitary issued ones not 100% sure but that set off a big red flag for me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
2nd gen. Colt screws same as originals?
Replies
13
Views
2K
mykeal
M
forward observer
  • Locked
Colt 2nd gen Walker?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Fingers McGee
Fingers McGee
J
  • Locked
Blackpowder Colts
Replies
4
Views
831
jgh4445
J
E
  • Locked
Decision time Colt 2nd Gen 1st Dragoon vs. Uberti Walker
Replies
13
Views
2K
elhombreconnonombre
E
T
  • Locked
Colt 1860 stainless 2nd gen
Replies
8
Views
795
T.Horn
T
Back
Top