OK COLT GUYS-Need help on identification

[selinoid44]

I think I have a 1873 45 long colt.
On top of the barrel it reads-
COLTS PT.F.A. MFG Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.
On the left side of barrel- 45 COLT
On the left side of the frame below the cylinder-
PAT SEPT 19,1871
PAT JULY 2, 1872 U.S.
On the bottom front of frame the initials- J.T.C.
On the bottom front of the trigger guard base- serial# 18588 with a c below it.
On the bottom of the grip frame the #50 then below that I think 483. (not sure)
The barrel length is 5.5 inches.
Am I correct? Can some one give me it's worth??

 

[drgnrobo]

It would be in your best interest to contact Colt & see if they can verify date of manufacture from the serial no. Where did you acquire this fine SA specimen?

 

[selinoid44]

I got this gun in 2006 from my 96 year old neighbor. He was a firearms collector. The hammer had the notch wore off and would'nt stay cocked. He told me I could have the gun. We have always been good friends and neighbors. I bought a hammer on ebay and fixed the gun. I still have the original hammer. I have shot the gun a couple of times. What a piece of history! I wish it could talk. I'm sure it has a story or two. The gun is in 93 percent condition if I was going to rate it as is.

 

[broknaxl]

You might want to go on the Coltforum.com and post your pictures and questions. There are a lot of knowledgable Colt collectors on there. I believe there are also some links to places to find the manf. date. Nice looking piece- you might have something there.

 

[Liberty Sanders]

Selinoid, I have my Blue Book out.

You have the blackpowder frame (screw holds the cylinder pin as opposed to the tranverse latch) indicating manufacture prior to 1892.

If that serial number is correct it shows manufacture in 1875 or 1876. The troublesome part is that I can find no indication of Colt ever using a "C" as part of a serial number, but that may not mean anything. The number on the grip frame shows manufacture of that part in 1879 or 1880, making your gun a hybrid of two different guns. This is not uncommon, I have one myself.

I'm far from an expert. This is from my Blue Book of Used Gun Values.

Did the original owner have a Colt factory letter on the gun?

If not you definitely want to get one. There are Colts out there that are worth a fortune except that their owners don't know what they have.

I have a coffee table book by R.L. Wilson about Colt Single Actions with an account that he knew of where a collector bought a Colt at a gun show for a nominal price. He immediately sent for a letter on it from Colt.

Their records showed that it had been shipped directly to the purchaser, probably to Dodge City or Wichita, I don't remember which.

The purchaser was W.E.B. Masterson. Most people called him "Bat." The Colt's new owner was VERY happy.

I have a Colt Bisley that I got a letter on, manufactured in 1901. It's a .45 with a 5.5" barrel and was once nickled. When it left the factory it was a .32-20 with a 4.75" barrel.

I wish it could talk.

 

[CarmelHP]

I have a coffee table book by R.L. Wilson about Colt Single Actions with an account that he knew of where a collector bought a Colt at a gun show for a nominal price. He immediately sent for a letter on it from Colt.

I would take anything R.L. Wilson had to say with a dose of salt.

 

[selinoid44]

What is it now for a Colt factory letter? At one time I think it was 300 dollars.

 

[GARANDGUY]

I called for one today on my WW1 1911 and it was 100 bucks!

 

[Liberty Sanders]

I would take anything R.L. Wilson had to say with a dose of salt.

Carmel, I do enjoy the guy's books, but didn't he get in the jackpot here awhile back for something shady?

 

[OD*]

On the bottom front of frame the initials- J.T.C.

John T. Cleveland, U.S. Government inspector from 1856 to 1877.

On the bottom front of the trigger guard base- serial# 18588 with a c below it.

The C meant is was a condemned part, didn't pass Government inspection for some reason but was good enough for the civilian market.

On the bottom of the grip frame the #50 then below that I think 483. (not sure)

The grip frame isn't original to the pistol (what is the serial number on the frame?). Remove the ejector rod housing and see what the serial number is on the barrel (last 4 digits), you may have an arsenal rebuild (caliber markings on the barrel begin at roughly serial number 135,000 circa 1890). Only the Colt letter tell you anything for certain, most everything else is speculation. You can send the original hammer to Eddie Janis at Peacemaker Specialists; Colt Single Action Army Revolver- Edward Janis. He can rebuild the hammer to factory and he will install a new cam on the hammer, he IS NOT cheap, but he is one of the best in the business. He rebuilt the hammer on my 1884 and did a fantastic job.

 

[STEEL CORE]

I remember when Colt letters were only $25, I have a 1915 US Army 1911 pistol, I called Colt to get a letter and the guy on the phone said, "It's going to read" 1911 Colt Pistol, made in 1915 by Colt, shipped to the US Army. That much I knew and didnt get the letter.

 

[CarmelHP]

Carmel, I do enjoy the guy's books, but didn't he get in the jackpot here awhile back for something shady?

Apparently, while he was "evaluating" the Hartford Colt museum collection, prime pieces were sold off for a fraction of value to his contacts thanks to his valuations, and pedestrian pieces were acquired from his contacts at inflated prices thanks to his valuations. I don't remember if he was actually convicted for that scam. He was finally convicted on a scam in which a few hundred thousand dollars of a customers money ended up paying his bills rather than being forwarded on.

 

[OD*]

Apparently, while he was "evaluating" the Hartford Colt museum collection, prime pieces were sold off for a fraction of value to his contacts thanks to his valuations, and pedestrian pieces were acquired from his contacts at inflated prices thanks to his valuations. I don't remember if he was actually convicted for that scam. He was finally convicted on a scam in which a few hundred thousand dollars of a customers money ended up paying his bills rather than being forwarded on.

Larry did spend time in prison.

 

[dice dealer]

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