[Paul Wronsley]

Hello All,
I found what appears to be a Walker Colt in a presentation case with all of the extras in it. At face value it seems to be the real thing and it is rather well used and worn. The presentation case has a brass plate with a name engraved on it but it is well polished and almost unreadable. I have a few concerns: for such a "worn" revolver there is absolutely no play on the mechanisms and all it tight, smooth and firm...possible but unlikely. My biggest concern is the serial number (that matches on all of the parts): 317. This is not the number for a Walker series but an Army revolver. This one is definitely a Walker. How can I make sure it is a genuine Walker and not a copy or reproduction that has been made to look old?

 

[Paul Wronsley]

I could not take any as I did not have my camera with me and I did not want to draw too much attention to it. I will contact the owner and ask him to send me some pictures or see if I can go to him to take some.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Thanks Gents for your reply. I have contacted the owner and await his response. I have my doubts that it is genuine, it seems too good to be true and the big put off is the serial number. He also has no history, records or documentation available but it does certainly look impressive and is worth looking in to. He wants about $7500 for it which also seems odd. If it is real...cool, if not....an interesting piece.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

I have owned a Dragoon and this is definitely not a Dragoon.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

My tail started wagging when I saw it, I must admit.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

there is a slight possibility that the revolver could be the last unknown paterson famco prototypes uncle eller allowed saml. to have made there and the number may have some meaning to colt (like 4-12-44 the first time texas was mentioned in congress) been added for whatever reason.

7 paterson "collins" prototypes were supposed to be fabricated, 6 are known. the missin one would have had the LONDON address on the barrel.

jim

I will find out nut the serial number still seems wrong: 317??

 

[Paul Wronsley]

If it's priced under 250K be careful.
Ask the seller if it's original or repro aged back. If he says IDK, ask where he got it. Provenance is EVERYTHING with these.

Unfortunately he has no provenance or anything on the item, very sad.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Can you post some pictures?

Hi, here are some pics the current owner sent me. Not very clear or detailed but I am meeting him on Saturday and I will take my camera with and get some decent detailed pics. In the meantime: the serial number seems to have been worked on...? Any other comments?

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Hello Again,
Here are some pics the owner sent me. Not very clear but I am seeing him on Saturday and will take my camera and get better pics. Any comments so far will be welcome. The serial number seems suspect?

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Does he seem to have any clue what he MIGHT have? His asking price would indicate he does not. However he somehow established his asking price, based on what?
Hope it’s the real deal in spite of the odds. Good luck. Jonl51

He says it was a part exchange for an old rifle. That's all he knows. I'll try to find out where he got it and follow up with that person.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Hello All, the owner never contacted me on Saturday as arranged for the viewing. He is a collector/dealer and was pretty vague when I last spoke with him but I will try to get another appointment to view and hopefully take the revolver apart and take some detailed pics. The more I look into this the more I have me doubts that it is the real deal. Then again I am not a fundi on this matter but there is still a slim chance that there may be something in it.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

In defense of the original poster, Paul, I too would love to have this one or any one of the "undiscovered" Colt Walkers drop into my proverbial hands. However, as others have already said, I believe this may not be authentic. I believe a couple of people have pointed out the problems with the barrel address and serial numbers, but here are some side-by-side pictures comparing the OP pistol versus the Danish Sea Captain's pistol that recently sold for over 1 Million at Rock Island Auction Company. Make your own judgements and good luck!
View attachment 793372 View attachment 793373
BroGeo

Thank you for this. The seller has gone quiet after I asked a few more questions so I must assume that he knows that it is probably not an original, not at the price he wants for sure. I will try again though to have a closer look at the piece.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Paul - Welcome to the Colt Forum. Quite an entrance 🤔

Thank you. It seems that it may be too good to be true though so I might have started a thread that leads nowhere.

 

[Paul Wronsley]

Hello All, I am still trying to get more info and during my quest this morning I came upon this one. Unfired and looks brand new. The owner was not in and I will be calling him later today to get some more info on it. As for the old Walker this post is all about, the gent I'm calling later today may have some info on it. By the way, the Dragoon I had was in the same condition as this "new" Walker, probably made at the same time. I bought it as new and it was a Colt. Any comments on these new pics?