2nd Gen Colt Prices

I want to get your opinion on something. I see a fair amount of NIB 2nd Gen Colt 1860's around. Where do you all think the prices on these 2nd gens will top out at? And how long before they top out? I have been watching them and in the last 2 years or so they have seemed to hold at between $650.00 and $800.00 depending on seller. What do you all think. :hmm:

Hi,
Not to burst your bubble, but the second generation Colts are Uberti guns re-stamped. :hmm:
The only thing Colt might be the box. :shocked2:
So if someone has waay too much money in his pocket, keep on bidding and see how high it will go.
I had two and thought I was on my way to collector heaven, until I got educated.

Also remember, even early Uberti black powder guns are starting to raise in value.
Fred

Those prices seem about right. A lot would depend on if it has been fired or not.

I've had a couple, that were unfired, but really afraid to shoot them, due to drop in value. So, I sold them.

So, instead of waiting on the value to go up, I just bought a couple repro's, to enjoy shooting them.

I think like everything else, they will increase in value. But, as everything goes up, the buying power is often going down. 650.00 today may increase to 800.00 in ten years, but how much will 800.00 buy in ten years.

Most BP guns, do not hold their value after being shot. I'm sure there are exceptions, to that rule. Best thing to do is shoot them, and enjoy them and forget the investment value. Just my opinion.

They may top out when there are not enough buyers around who appreciate them. As to how long, don't know. Do not think they will appreciate very much over time. When Colt discontinued the 2nd Generation the blue and color case hardened 1860 Army was about $487.

Over many years most of the 2nd Generation Colts I have or had are beautiful and make very good shooters. The stainless steel Colt 1860 Army was the very first firearm model that Colt sold in stainless steel. Colt did a full page ad about that in some gun magazines about 1982.

Are you already an owner of 2nd Generation Colts or thinking about buying for shooting, or a place to park some money and enjoy owning them?

p.s. to Old Ford - 2nd Generation Colt cap and ball revolvers are not re-stamped Uberti's. Some of the parts were partially finished and imported from Uberti. They were assembled and finished in the USA to Colt's high standards. Colt has a long, long history of outsourcing parts and assembly work.

Robert an saa fan said:

They may top out when there are not enough buyers around who appreciate them. As to how long, don't know. Do not think they will appreciate very much over time. When Colt discontinued the 2nd Generation the blue and color case hardened 1860 Army was about $487.

Over many years most of the 2nd Generation Colts I have or had are beautiful and make very good shooters. The stainless steel Colt 1860 Army was the very first firearm model that Colt sold in stainless steel. Colt did a full page ad about that in some gun magazines about 1982.

Are you already an owner of 2nd Generation Colts or thinking about buying for shooting, or a place to park some money and enjoy owning them?

p.s. to Old Ford - 2nd Generation Colt cap and ball revolvers are not re-stamped Uberti's. Some of the parts were partially finished and imported from Uberti. They were assembled and finished in the USA to Colt's high standards. Colt has a long, long history of outsourcing parts and assembly work.

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No, I am not currently a owner of a 2nd gen Colt. I have had a couple in the past but sold them because I did not want to "de-value" them by shooting them. I am not a collector, I like to shoot what I own. Thing is, I am always drawn back to them. I know there are Italian and Spain reproductions out there, but they just do not "trip my trigger" like having a actual Colt. I know some here have said that the 2nd gens are just glorified Italian/Spain repro's. That may be true I do not know? I am about ready to just say heck with it and buy a 2nd gen and shoot it and enjoy it.

Since you are going to shoot the 2nd Generation it should save you some $$ to buy one that has already been shot and shows it. Guns without the box or original paperwork often sell for much lower prices than as new in the box.

A while back at a gun show I bought another stainless 2nd Generation 1851 Navy for $500. Seller is a nationally known dealer; had a lot of guns and just wanted them gone.

Best of good luck in finding the Colt that "trips your trigger"! :hatsoff:

Robert an saa fan said:

Since you are going to shoot the 2nd Generation it should save you some $$ to buy one that has already been shot and shows it. Guns without the box or original paperwork often sell for much lower prices than as new in the box.

A while back at a gun show I bought another stainless 2nd Generation 1851 Navy for $500. Seller is a nationally known dealer; had a lot of guns and just wanted them gone.

Best of good luck in finding the Colt that "trips your trigger"! :hatsoff:

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You know that is a good idea. Not sure how hard finding one that has been shot will be, but I will start looking. Patience can be a virtue.

2nd generation Colts were finished, assembled & sold by Colt. I understand that Colt will letter these guns but not the later "signature" series. A second generation gun will be priced at the top of the market. That said, a gun is only "new in the box" once. Just like a car that is sold & driven off the dealers lot, the fact that it is used will cause the value to drop - so I you are looking to shoot the gun, you can save a lot by buying a used (but well cared for) one. For a shooter, I don't think that I would pay more than a new Uberti.

Old Ford said:

Hi,
Not to burst your bubble, but the second generation Colts are Uberti guns re-stamped. :hmm:
The only thing Colt might be the box. :shocked2:
...
Fred

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Not true at all.

Quoting the "Third Edition Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values, 3rd Edition,

"Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc. is the previous manufacturer of 2nd Generation Colt percussion revolvers located in Hartford, CT. Colt used subcontractors to supply rough castings for the manufacture of these black powder pistols.
Throughout the production years 1971-1982, these rough castings were produced in Italy and the reproductions were completed in the United States. Initially, Val Forgett and Navy Arms provided these parts/components during 1971-73. Lou Imperato supplied these parts from 1974-76. In both instances, these revolvers were assembled and finished in Colts facilities in Connecticut. Finally, from 1978-1982, Colt subcontracted both parts procurement and finall production to Lou Imperato and Iver Johnson Arms in Middlesex, NJ. Colt percussion revolvers produced by Iver Johnson had frames, center pins, nipples and screws manufactured in the United States. In all instances, these revolvers were manufactured in accordance with Colt's strict specifications and quality control.
Additionally, Colt's performed final inspection for all models. All percussion models manufactured from 1971 through 1982, either by Colt or its subcontractor, are regarded as authentic Colt pistols and not Italian replicas."

(Uberti is the source of the rough castings.)

The Third Model Colt Signature series of revolvers were made by "COLT BLACKPOWDER ARMS CO.".
The Blue Book goes on to say,

"...These 3rd Generation models are manufactured under an authorized licensing agreement with Colt Firearms by Colt Blackpower Arms Company - the same company (and many of the same craftsmen) responsible for the (later) second Generation Colt revolvers. Although parts for the Signature Series are cast in Italy, they are fully assembled and hand finished in the United States using the proprietary Colt formulas for bluing and color case hardening.
Colt Blackpowder Arms Company Signature Series revolvers are regarded as authentic Colt pistols..."

Robert an saa fan said:

They may top out when there are not enough buyers around who appreciate them. As to how long, don't know. Do not think they will appreciate very much over time. When Colt discontinued the 2nd Generation the blue and color case hardened 1860 Army was about $487.

Over many years most of the 2nd Generation Colts I have or had are beautiful and make very good shooters. The stainless steel Colt 1860 Army was the very first firearm model that Colt sold in stainless steel. Colt did a full page ad about that in some gun magazines about 1982.

Are you already an owner of 2nd Generation Colts or thinking about buying for shooting, or a place to park some money and enjoy owning them?

p.s. to Old Ford - 2nd Generation Colt cap and ball revolvers are not re-stamped Uberti's. Some of the parts were partially finished and imported from Uberti. They were assembled and finished in the USA to Colt's high standards. Colt has a long, long history of outsourcing parts and assembly work.

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As you say, so true it is.
Fred

Thanks for posting your answer. I knew there were many rumors about who, when, and where the Colt 2nd Generation pistols were made. Good stuff to know.

Michael

I don't reckon that the prices on mint Colt's revolvers are likely to rise enough to be a big investment deal. I shoot the 2nd generation revolvers I own without any regrets; they originally set me back about three bills apiece and therefore would have had a big chance to appreciate in value. But guns are made for shooting, and if I wanted to have something just sitting on the shelf in its original condition I guess I would collect stamps or coins or something that I can't actually make use of.

:metoo: Well said!

I once shot a 30-30 win chief crazy horse commemorative I had taken on "pawn" from an old boss. He was very mortified when he came to buy it back and I showed him the target! :shocked2: :rotf: I was young n intoxicated (most likely) and nobody told me you didnt shoot a collector? Why collect em then? :surrender:

:metoo:

GOOD POINT!

A friend of mine bought one back before the turn of the century, 1851 or 1861. As a shooter in excellent condition. He offered it to me for what he had in it - $400. Course, that included the belt and holster. I am not certain that the shooters appreciate at all. Least not in 20 years.

I saw one once that was marked under the loading lever, made in Italy.
Nit Wit

Nit Wit said:

I saw one once that was marked under the loading lever, made in Italy.
Nit Wit

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Then, either someone had changed the barrel or it was fraudulently marked Colt by someone.

What you may have seen was probably an Armi San Marco. Was the gun marked "ASM" or "SM" under the barrel?

I have and have had quite a few Armi San Marco's with the Colt barrel address and most with "Colt's Patent No." on the cylinder.

The guns did not have Colt marked frames and had the usual Armi San Marco Italian markings.

EMF company sold these for a few years in the 1980's. I bought quite a few from them at The Big Reno Show where they used to set up. EMF charged $20 more for various Colt models with the Colt marked barrels and cylinders.

If remembering correctly EMF sold Colt marked 1851 and 1861 Navies, 1860 Armies and Walkers. There may also have been other Colt marked models.

I suspect Colt was very unhappy and got Armi San Marco and EMF to stop making and selling these.

I have one of the ASM 1860 models, and it does look like a 2nd Gen Colt. Fooled me....when I first saw it. I paid regular clone price, but it does seem to be a quality made piece.

Those commemoratives never did appreciate in value enough to even keep up with inflation.

I would not worry about shooting Colt 2nd Generation percussion revolvers either.
Interest in shooting and owning black powder guns is on the wane as us Baby Boomers die off.