Real or copy? Colt 1860

[Nameless Hunter]

Saw this for sale. Question is, is it an original or a copy? Other than a serial number, how can you tell?

 

[tenngun]

Looking real, colt can give you info on that serial number

 

[Mulebrain]

Looks legit and a fine example for sure. However like tenngun said, verify with Colt

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

This is what Colt's serial number lookup displayed regarding a gun similar to this one:

Year of Manufacture 1862

Model 1860 ARMY (.44 CALIBER WITH NAVAL ENGAGEMENT SCENE ON CYLINDER)

Now, it could still be a good fake. The thing that makes me suspicious (other than that I am suspicious by nature) is the overall condition of the revolver. It just looks too good to be real. If it is real, you got a good one!

 

[Stantheman86]

It looks like it's obviously been reblued or touched up at some point, but thre is wear on the blue so it was used and carried after the reblue......it just looks too matte and recent. But it may have been an arsenal refurbished gun that wasn't used a lot? It's hard to tell from pics

I've seen a few old revolvers that reeked like Cold Blue when you picked them up.

It's cut for a stock but has a stock screw that was filed flat, which apparently can be correct since stocks were barely if ever issued or used for the 1860's, and Colt just kept using the cut frames with the screw filed down to keep it from getting in the way.

 

[Whitworth]

The small "O" on the trigger guard makes me think it's a second generation Colt 1860. My Colt 2nd gen 1851 has that same "O" mark. YMMV

 

[Nameless Hunter]

This is what Colt's serial number lookup displayed regarding a gun similar to this one:

Year of Manufacture 1862

Model 1860 ARMY (.44 CALIBER WITH NAVAL ENGAGEMENT SCENE ON CYLINDER)

Now, it could still be a good fake. The thing that makes me suspicious (other than that I am suspicious by nature) is the overall condition of the revolver. It just looks too good to be real. If it is real, you got a good one!

I'm with you, in that the condition looks too good to be from 1862. It's on an online auction, and the current bid is already more than I'm willing to risk. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[nit wit]

It looks like the real deal. Some on-line auctions do more research than others, I would be more concerned with their reputation.
Nit Wit

 

[Hawk54]

I have a long time friend who is an FFL and a Colt collector. He has 1860's and 1851's that date the Civil War on up that look near new. He has been collecting them for decades.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Once upon a time Colt conversion revolvers could be had pretty cheaply. Not so much anymore. I really gotta get a replacement cylinder for my Uberti version. Check the load and the powder scale three times before you start seating bullets.

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Sold for $2100 + 28% commission.
Too rich for me...

 

[wolf power]

Saw this for sale. Question is, is it an original or a copy? Other than a serial number, how can you tell?
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It is real but
Second generation.

Can still buy them new
That's worth 500.