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1188 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  amarin, 
S
If an early first generation Colt from early 1880s is nickle plated and engraved in what appears to be old style engraving and the engraving has removed all the colt markings such as patent dates on the frame and the address lines on top of the barrel how badly does this destroy the value? Everything on the gun such as cylinder, hammer, trigger guard, grips etc appears to be original and it is in really good shape. The top of the hammer has also been polished but you can
still see the imprint of the checkering. Just dont want to make a costly mistake. 44WCF is marked on the front left side of the trigger guard and the barrel is 4.75"
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D
How much “costly” are you talking about? A refinished gun with, at best, amateurish engraving ( what I can glean from the photos) shouldn’t set one back too much, though I’d pass at any price.
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S
Thank you for your input. It is over 5000.00
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S
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/767039461
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H
I think that was a pretty nice condition old Colt until someone destroyed it in the not too distant past. The frame serial # even appears to be removed.
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S
I thought it looked like a decent old colt and the engraving kind of looked like it was old. I was hoping it was something that was destroyed many years ago and then put away. I had them send more pictures and the last 4 digits of the S/N on the back strap and trigger guard are also on the cylinder.
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CraigC
It's not even legal to own. The NFA of 1934 made it illegal to obliterate the serial number on any firearm, regardless of age or intent. Just like the old Mauser sporter I bought a few years ago, they're getting by with the number stamped on parts other than the receiver. If your receiving FFL does his due diligence, he'd turn it over for destruction. Beyond that issue, it's terrible. It's obviously been over-polished and refinished a time or two and the engraving is atrocious. I wouldn't give $500 for it, even if it had a good serial number on the frame.
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D
Well it does come with a Certificate of Authenticity....

Barrel has probably been cut and that's why they wiped out the address.

the engraving is very amateurish and the punch dot background is not punch dot, it's stipled and absolutely horrible. Any 19th century craftsman would have been ashamed to produce such work
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S
You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the input!
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D
There are plenty of better, authentic & un-jacked with Colts out there for that kind of money. Just be patient, apply plenty of due diligence to any specimens which do crop up, and good hunting. You will find something.
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LanceW
Nickel plated Colts with unusual engraving and non-military caliber usually makes me think "Mexico". I would personally pass on that one. Who knows what it is, maybe a Mexican frame made with some recycled parts. Maybe to the right person it would be worth something but nowhere near asking.
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amarin
There are those who believe that because it resembles a "Colt" and it's "Engraved" that it is too valuable to sell for the right price. I think this is the case here and I would agree with those who tell you to shy far away from this gun; but, that's my opinion only.

Al
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